Job Requirements

The Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) provides comprehensive women's health and obstetric care in collaboration with obstetricians and the interdisciplinary healthcare team. This role aligns with ACNM's definition of midwifery practice, which includes independent management of low-moderate risk pregnancies and collaborative management of higher-risk conditions including prenatal care, labor management, vaginal delivery, postpartum care, and selected gynecologic services consistent with midwifery training and scope of practice.

The CNM functions as an integral member of the obstetrics care team and provides patient-centered care throughout the perinatal continuum. Responsibilities include management of active labor, performing vaginal deliveries, assisting in operative obstetric procedures, providing postpartum care, and participating in the evaluation and management of obstetric patients in the inpatient setting. The CNM may also provide outpatient obstetric and gynecologic care in a clinical setting as determined by departmental needs.

The Labor and Delivery service operates under a 24 hours per day, 7 days per week staffing model, and CNMs participate in scheduled shifts that may include day, evening, night, weekend, and holiday coverage.

The CNM practices within the scope of professional licensure, national certification, institutional credentialing, and delineation of privileges, and in accordance with applicable state regulations, hospital policies, and collaborative practice agreements with obstetric physicians.

Principal Responsibilities and Tasks

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required.

1. Provides comprehensive obstetric care to patients including prenatal evaluation, labor management, vaginal delivery, and postpartum care within the scope of practice and clinical privileges.
2. Manages patients in active labor, including monitoring labor progression, interpreting fetal monitoring, providing clinical management, and coordinating care with the obstetric team.
3. Performs spontaneous vaginal deliveries and manages routine obstetric procedures consistent with training and clinical privileges.
4. Performs obstetric procedures within scope of practice and privileges, which may include repair of perineal lacerations, management of postpartum hemorrhage, and other procedures related to childbirth.
5. Participates in the evaluation and management of obstetric patients presenting to Labor and Delivery, including triage assessments and coordination of care.
6. Serves as first assist during cesarean sections when credentialed and privileged, which may include surgical exposure, retraction, tissue handling, hemostasis, and suturing under the direction of the operating obstetrician.
7. Provides postpartum evaluation and care for mothers following delivery, including patient education and discharge planning.
8. Collaborates with obstetricians, anesthesiologists, pediatric providers, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to ensure safe and coordinated maternal and newborn care.
9. Provides patient education regarding pregnancy, labor, delivery, postpartum recovery, breastfeeding, and family planning.
10. May provide outpatient obstetric and women's health services, including prenatal visits, postpartum follow-up, menstrual management, and routine gynecologic care as appropriate within the Ethical and Religious Directives (ERDs).
11. Documents all clinical encounters in the electronic medical record in a timely and accurate manner consistent with hospital policies and regulatory requirements.
12. Participates in multidisciplinary communication and care coordination to support safe transitions of care.
13. Participates in quality improvement initiatives, patient safety activities, and adherence to evidence-based obstetric practices.
14. Provides clinical coverage for the Labor and Delivery service under a 24/7 staffing model, which may include day, night, weekend, and holiday shifts.
15. Adheres to all applicable regulatory standards, hospital policies, and medical staff bylaws governing midwifery practice.
16. May provide outpatient obstetric and women's health services, including prenatal visits, postpartum follow-up, menstrual management, and routine gynecologic care as appropriate within the Ethical and Religious Directives (ERDs).

Work Experience

Education and Experience

1. Graduate of an accredited Certified Nurse Midwifery program required.
2. Current and unrestricted licensure as a Registered Nurse and Certified Nurse Midwife in the state of practice required.
3. Current national certification as a Certified Nurse Midwife through the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB) required.
4. Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required.
5. NCC subspecialty certification for Electronic Fetal Monitoring is required within 3 months of employment.
6. Completion of a first assist certification course for cesarean sections by the start date is preferred, but must be completed by the end of orientation.
7. At least 2 years of prior clinical experience in labor and delivery or obstetric care is preferred.
8. Experience in both inpatient obstetric care and outpatient women's health services preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

1. Knowledge of obstetric physiology, normal labor progression, and management of common obstetric complications.
2. Ability to independently manage labor and perform vaginal deliveries within scope of practice.
3. Proficiency in fetal monitoring interpretation and intrapartum clinical decision-making.
4. Knowledge of sterile technique and operative assisting principles for cesarean section procedures.
5. Ability to recognize obstetric emergencies and collaborate with obstetric physicians for timely escalation of care.
6. Strong communication and interpersonal skills when interacting with patients, families, and interdisciplinary healthcare teams.
7. Ability to function effectively in a high-acuity Labor and Delivery environment.
8. Ability to prioritize and manage multiple patient care responsibilities in a fast-paced obstetric setting.
9. Proficiency in electronic medical record documentation and adherence to regulatory and compliance standards.