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Midwife
Description:
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Provides care and advice to women during pregnancy, labour and childbirth, and
postnatal care for women and babies in a range of settings such as the home,
community, hospitals, clinics and health units.
Typical Work Tasks (may include any combination of the following):
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Provides advice and support during pre-conception, intrapartum, antenatal and
postnatal periods in partnership with women; provides care and management of
pregnancy and birth; assesses progress and recognises warning signs of abnormal and
potentially abnormal pregnancies requiring referral to an obstetrician; monitors the
condition of women and foetuses during pregnancy and throughout labour; conducts
health education classes and seminars to promote the health of mothers and babies
such as reproductive health, antenatal education, preparation for parenthood and
breastfeeding; provides advice on nutrition, childcare and family planning.
Typical Work Environment:
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Works indoors in hospitals, birthing centres, clinics and homes.
Generally works in adequately lit, heated, ventilated and clean, well maintained
and hygienic workspaces.
The birth process may be prolonged and stressful.
Frequent contact with body material and fluids requires the use of protective
clothing.
Typical Physical and Mental Demands1:
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Light to medium physical demand.
Sits during consultations and discussions with patients and when writing patient notes.
Stands and walks frequently to gather equipment, examine patients, monitor
patients, and provide medications and other forms of physical support.
Occasional requirement for lifting, pulling or carrying, typically up to a medium
physical demand range may be required during the birthing process.
Occasional bending, squatting, crouching, stretching, twisting and reaching may
be required during the birthing process.
Frequent contact with potentially infectious body materials and fluid is likely and
protective clothing will be used and safety procedures adhered to.
Occasional repetitive hand and finger movements are necessary when using a
computer, writing or providing support interventions such as massage.
There is frequent use of medical and nursing equipment and materials including
medicines, obstetrical and gynaecological equipment, pillows, hot baths and other
comforting and relaxing interventions.
Driving will be required to facilitate attendance of appointments out in the community.
Mental skills necessary include nursing, observation, assessment, communication,
interpersonal, organising, time management, decision-making and computing
capabilities.
Further Comments:
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There are opportunities for flexibility of movement.
Employees work long hours and are on call when required.
Key Entry Requirements (Skill Level/Qualifications/Licenses):
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A relevant tertiary qualification (ANZSCO Skill Level 1). In some instances particular
experience and/or on-the-job training may be required.
Registration with the Midwifery Council of New Zealand and a current Annual Practising
Certificate.
This document is based on ANZSCO, 2013 (code 254111). Other sources of information that may have been
consulted are industry contacts, employers, newspapers and internet-based sources. For physical demand level
definitions see Matheson, L.N. (2003). Functional Capacity Evaluation.
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