The purpose of the staffing section is to ensure the birth center provides competent staff consistent with the scope of services.

(1) The birth center shall have sufficient, qualified personnel and clinical staff to provide the services needed by clients and for safe maintenance and operation of the birth center.

(2) The birth center shall have written plans for consultation, referral, transfer of care, emergency transfer and transport of a newborn to a newborn nursery or neonatal intensive care nursery, and emergency transfer or transport of a maternal client to an appropriate obstetrical department, patient care area or hospital where appropriate care is available.

(3) The birth center shall:

(a) Employ, contract or use appropriately trained personnel and clinical staff; and

(b) Assure clinical staff or personnel have evidence of current training in neonatal and adult resuscitation.

(c) Assure a physician or midwife is present at each birth. A second person who is an employee, student or member of the clinical staff with evidence of current training in neonatal and adult resuscitation skills shall be immediately available in the birthing center during each birth.

(d) Ensure twenty-four hour coverage, including the provision that appropriate, qualified personnel and/or clinical staff shall be present in the birth center at all times when clients are present.