Nurse Midwives :: Job Description

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Nurse Midwives

Careers / Nurse Midwives

Summary Description


	Diagnose and coordinate all aspects of the birthing process, either independently or as part of a healthcare team. May provide well-woman gynecological care. Must have specialized, graduate nursing education.

Sample Job Titles

1.	Certified Midwife

2.	Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)

3.	Certified Nurse-Midwife

4.	Certified Professional Midwife

5.	Clinical Site Coordinator and Supervisor

6.	Direct-Entry Midwife

7.	Nurse Midwife

8.	Nurse Midwife/Clinical Instructor

9.	Registered Nurse Midwife

10.	Senior Instructor, Certified Nurse Midwife

11.	Staff Certified Nurse Midwife

12.	Staff Midwife

13.	Staff Nurse Midwife

14.	Staff Nurse-Midwife

Job Tasks

	Initiate emergency interventions to stabilize patients. Treat medical emergencies.

	Monitor fetal development by listening to fetal heartbeat, taking external uterine measurements, identifying fetal position, or estimating fetal size and weight. Examine patients to assess general physical condition. Measure the physical or physiological attributes of patients.

	Provide prenatal, intrapartum, postpartum, or newborn care to patients. Care for women during pregnancy and childbirth.

	Explain procedures to patients, family members, staff members or others. Explain medical procedures or test results to patients or family members.

	Develop and implement individualized plans for health care management. Develop medical treatment plans.

	Order and interpret diagnostic or laboratory tests. Analyze test data or images to inform diagnosis or treatment. Order medical diagnostic or clinical tests.

	Document findings of physical examinations. Record patient medical histories.

	Educate patients and family members regarding prenatal, intrapartum, postpartum, newborn, or interconceptional care. Provide health and wellness advice to patients, program participants, or caregivers.

	Document patients' health histories, symptoms, physical conditions, or other diagnostic information. Record patient medical histories.

	Write information in medical records or provide narrative summaries to communicate patient information to other health care providers. Prepare reports summarizing patient diagnostic or care activities. Inform medical professionals regarding patient conditions and care.

	Provide primary health care, including pregnancy and childbirth, to women. Care for women during pregnancy and childbirth.

	Consult with or refer patients to appropriate specialists when conditions exceed the scope of practice or expertise. Collaborate with healthcare professionals to plan or provide treatment. Refer patients to other healthcare practitioners or health resources.

	Perform physical examinations by taking vital signs, checking neurological reflexes, examining breasts, or performing pelvic examinations. Test patient nervous system functioning. Examine patients to assess general physical condition.

	Prescribe medications as permitted by state regulations. Prescribe medications.

	Provide patients with direct family planning services such as inserting intrauterine devices, dispensing oral contraceptives, and fitting cervical barriers including cervical caps or diaphragms. Administer basic health care or medical treatments.

	Read current literature, talk with colleagues, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in midwifery. Maintain medical or professional knowledge.

	Establish practice guidelines for specialty areas such as primary health care of women, care of the childbearing family, and newborn care. Establish nursing policies or standards.

	Conduct clinical research on topics such as maternal or infant health care, contraceptive methods, breastfeeding, and gynecological care. Conduct research to increase knowledge about medical issues.

	Manage newborn care during the first weeks of life. Administer basic health care or medical treatments.

	Plan, provide, or evaluate educational programs for nursing staff, health care teams, or the community. Conduct health or safety training programs. Train medical providers.

Work Activities

Importance	Work Activity

Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Staffing Organizational Units — Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.

Selling or Influencing Others — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

Nature of the Work


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners
	Nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners, also referred to as advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), coordinate patient care and may provide primary and specialty healthcare. The scope of practice varies from state to state.

	Read More >>

Working Conditions


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners
	Nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners work in a wide variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, physicians' offices, schools, and clinics. Most APRNs work full time.

	Read More >>

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When the U.S. Constitution was written, the federal government was not allowed to collect income tax. All revenues came from trade tariffs. The 16th Ammendment later permitted federal income tax.

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