Certified Nurse Midwife

POSITION SUMMARY

The Certified Nurse Midwife is a professional nurse who through an approved nurse midwifery program has gained additional knowledge and skill in OB/GYN and under physician supervision assists in the management of women’s health care problems and health maintenance of the community. The CNM must be certified by the American College of Nurse Midwives and licensed to practice Nurse Midwifery in the state of Maryland.  The expanded level responsibility of the Certified Nurse Midwife is within the framework of established medical guidelines or protocols jointly formulated by the supervising physician and the Certified Nurse Midwife.

The primary focus of the CNM will be the assessment and management during the antepartum, intrapartum, postpartum period, and gynecologic services. The CNM practices in an environment within the health care system that allow for management, consultation with and co-management of patients, or management by the physician, as appropriate.     Participates in peer reviews, chart reviews, staff education, clinical guideline development, continuing education and quality assurance activities to demonstrate compliance with standards, regulations, policies and procedures. This position reports directly to the Department Head of OB/GYN.

PRIMARY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Achieve Results

• Practice medicine by caring for CHC patients, according to the clinical protocols, as well as the policies and procedures of CHC.
• Documents patient information and care in medical records.

Operational Excellence

• Ensure the delivery of all medical treatment and care is consistent with all regulatory, accreditation, and professional standards, including clinical policies and quality initiatives.

Relationships

• Establish a favorable working relationship with all staff members associated with the organization.
• Possess a positive working relationship with patients, contractors, vendors, third party payer resources and related entities.

Leadership and Stewardship

• Uphold and consistently represent the values, mission, and policies of the organization at all times.

PRIMARY TASKS AND DUTIES

• Antepartum
• Conducts or reviews medical history and initial physical evaluation.
• At subsequent visits evaluates pregnancy status and health problems providing on going prenatal care and health supervision and education.
• Evaluates and treats outpatients including monitoring fetal well-being as indicated.
• Orders and interprets laboratory, ultrasound and fetal assessment studies.
• Consults and refers appropriately
• Documents all assessments, treatments, medications, and evaluations in a timely manner.
• Counsels on HIV concerns
• Intrapartum
• Reviews antepartum record and medical history, performs admission physical examination and writes orders including laboratory and ancillary procedures.
• Provides ongoing support and care.
• Evaluates and manages labor and delivery providing for immediate care of the newborn and consulting with back-up physician as indicated.
• Documents all assessments, treatments, medications and evaluations in a timely manner.
• Postpartum
• Evaluates and discharges postpartum patients with consideration for postpartum follow up care of mother and infant and individual family planning choices.
• Assists and educates mother and family to plan care for herself and family throughout puerperium and interconceptual periods.
• All charts will be countersigned by supervising physician.
• Gynecologic Services
• Evaluates and manages healthcare of non-pregnant women
• Performs routine history and physical examinations, laboratory procedures, family planning, cancer screening.
• Evaluates and manages menstrual irregularities, hormone replacement therapy, urinary tract infections, sexually transmitted diseases and other gynecologic conditions as appropriate.
• Promotes patient health education and furthers continuity of educational concepts in all phases of maternity and gynecological care.
• Counsels on HIV concerns.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/KEY COMPETENCIES

• Knowledge of medical model and roles of Nurse Midwife. Familiar with anatomy, pharmacology, clinical medicine and physical diagnosis.
• Knowledge of patient assessment techniques, including taking medical histories, performing physicals, evaluating health status including state of wellness and compliance with care recommendations.
• Knowledge of diagnosing and treating medical problems and developing care plans.
• Knowledge of documentation in medical records in confidential manner
• Ability to make reasonable decisions within scope of practice
• Possess skill in gathering and analyzing physiological, socioeconomic and emotional patient data and accurately evaluate patient problems in person or via the phone and provide appropriate advice, intervention, or referral.