Midwife - Pd/Pt

South Shore Health•Weymouth, MA

About The Position

The Midwife provides perinatal care, including physical assessment, patient education, and evaluation and management of problems in accordance with approved nurse midwifery guidelines. The role includes inpatient evaluation and management of prenatal patients in the OB ED and care for patients in labor, during birth, and postpartum. The Midwife also first assists at cesarean births. The position manages obstetrical and gynecological care across assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation; collaborates with the health care team; and participates in quality management and ongoing review of nurse midwifery practice. Clinical duties include examinations and appropriate laboratory testing, pregnancy assessment and teaching, management of normal labor and delivery, recognition and consultation for obstetrical emergencies, postpartum care, prescribing within approved protocols, and 12-hour on-call coverage with telephone triage. The role also contributes to care coordination, program planning, research, and continued learning.

Requirements

Minimum of 5 years of nurse midwifery experience.
Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) credential.
Licensed independent practitioner credentialed through the Medical Staff Services Office.
Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing licensure/registration/certification.
Clinical expertise to function in an independent role.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to collaborate with patients, families, and staff.
Ability to work with frequent stress resulting from an active caseload, busy clinical settings, and 24-hour on-call coverage.
Ability to be self-directed and demonstrate initiative in addressing position responsibilities.

Nice To Haves

Graduate of an approved midwifery program.
Master’s degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate plans of care for obstetrical and gynecological patients in accordance with approved nurse midwifery guidelines.
Collaborate with the health care team in planning and implementing patient care.
Participate in ongoing review of nurse midwifery prescriptive practice and the Quality Management Program.
Assist in developing, implementing, and revising nurse midwifery guidelines and standards of care.
Evaluate patients’ health status, formulate management plans, and revise plans as indicated.
Participate in continuous case review and communicate current patient information to the obstetrical team.
Issue prescriptions and medication orders in accordance with SSH Nurse Midwifery practice protocols and Board of Nursing rules.
Ensure documentation is clear, complete, concise, and organized before leaving each shift.
Seek consultation and make referrals according to nurse midwifery protocols; provide consultation services as required by the health care team.
Complete history and physical examinations and appropriate laboratory tests; continue pregnancy assessment and teaching as indicated.
Manage normal labor and conduct deliveries, including assessment of maternal and fetal status, management of the third stage, and management of episiotomy and perineal repairs.
Identify, manage, and consult for obstetrical emergencies as indicated.
Manage the maternal postpartum course, including teaching, referrals, and follow-up.
Provide 12-hour on-call coverage for a caseload of obstetrical patients, including telephone triage.
Maintain collaborative and consultative relationships with providers within the institution and community.
Demonstrate awareness of community resources and help staff, patients, and families use them effectively.
Serve on nursing and hospital committees and disseminate information to staff.
Develop annual objectives and review them with the Medical Director of the Laborist and Midwifery Program; assist with nurse midwifery practice goals and objectives.
Maintain an interdisciplinary approach to planning and communicating information for patient care.
Maintain awareness of legislation affecting health care delivery systems and nurse midwifery practice.
Initiate and participate in nursing research, including data collection to measure CNM/Laborist program effectiveness.
Stay informed about current research, contribute to writing for publication, and recommend practice innovations based on research findings.
Participate in continued learning and learn and use new technology and procedures.