A Midwife, or Nurse Midwife, provides reproductive healthcare for women. They conduct exams, deliver babies and provide emotional support.
A Midwife should be able to fulfill various duties and responsibilities. The following are some duties and responsibilities a Midwife should be able to execute:
- Conduct pelvic exams for preventative care, to diagnose medical conditions or check the health of a baby
- Diagnose medical conditions and order tests to make accurate diagnoses
- Prescribe medications related to reproductive health, such as oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy
- Deliver babies in homes, birth centers and hospitals
- Support expectant and new mothers by listening, asking questions and providing advice
- Provide medical care for newborns through the first month of life
A competitive Midwife will have certain skills and qualifications, including:
- Strong interpersonal and oral communication skills to build rapport with patients and explain complex medical issues in a way that is easy to understand
- Active listening and interviewing skills to uncover symptoms and explore concerns
- Effective written communication skills to keep accurate, clear records
Ability to remain upright and stationary for prolonged periods and aid in moving patients and equipment
- Critical thinking and analytical skills to interpret the findings of exams and results and make diagnoses
- Extensive knowledge of anatomy, physiology, reproductive health and pharmacology
- Familiarity with medical equipment used for labor and delivery and software used for medical records
