Certified Nurse Midwife

Cape Cod Healthcare•Hyannis, MA

About The Position

Participates in the initial examination of obstetrical patients, taking responsibility for their care, treatment, and delivery. This role involves antenatal evaluation and treatment, examining patients during pregnancy to assess their condition and ensure normal progress. The Certified Nurse Midwife instructs patients on prenatal health practices, collaborates with Obstetricians and staff to ensure adherence to specified practices, and provides support and medication during labor. The role includes delivering infants, performing postpartum examinations, and administering emergency measures when necessary, arranging for Obstetrician contact. Postpartum care involves hospital visits to examine the patient and provide instructions for self and infant care, including discharge orders. The position also requires assisting the Obstetrician as First Assist for C-sections, maintaining case records, and conducting classes for patients and families on pregnancy, childbirth, and family orientation. There may be opportunities to direct other workers or instruct in midwifery if the establishment provides such training. Participation in departmental performance improvement activities is also expected.

Requirements

Masters Degree in Nursing (MSN) (CNM)
Currently licensed as a Certified Nurse Midwife in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
US Department of Justice DEA Registration (required if prescribing)
Massachusetts Controlled Substance Registration (required if prescribing)
Current Basic Life Support certification (BLS)
Current Advanced Cardiac Life Support certification (ACLS)
Minimum two years experience as a certified nurse midwife
Knowledge of professional nursing theory, clinical practice standards, normal maternal / fetal growth and development, and requirements of nurse midwifery practice.
Able to independently seek out resources and solve complex problems.

Nice To Haves

Pediatric Advanced Life Support certification (obtain within 6 months, offered within)
Fetal Monitor Course every 2 years

Responsibilities

Participates in initial examination of obstetrical patient, and is assigned responsibility for care, treatment, and delivery of patient.
Participates in antenatal evaluation and treatment of the obstetrical patient.
Examines patient during pregnancy, utilizing physical findings, laboratory test results, and patient's statements to evaluate condition and ensure that patient's progress is normal.
Instructs patient in prenatal health practices.
Discusses case with Obstetrician and staff to assure observation of specified practices.
Stays with patient during labor to reassure patient and to administer medication.
Delivers infant and performs postpartum examinations and treatments to ensure that patient and infant are responding normally.
When deviations from standard are encountered during pregnancy or delivery, administers stipulated emergency measures, and arranges for immediate contact of Obstetrician.
Visits patient during postpartum period in hospital to examine patient and instruct patient in care of self and infant.
Participate in discharge care including discharge orders.
Assist Obstetrician as First Assist for C-sections
Maintains records of cases for inclusion in establishment file.
Conducts classes for groups of patients and families to provide information concerning pregnancy, childbirth, and family orientation.
May direct activities of other workers.
May instruct in midwifery in establishment providing such training.
Participate in the performance improvement activities of the department.