Midwife Job Description [Updated for 2025]

In the realm of healthcare, the role of midwives has never been more essential.

As society progresses, the demand for compassionate, knowledgeable professionals who can guide, assist, and ensure the safety of expectant mothers and their newborns escalates.

But let’s delve deeper: What’s truly expected from a midwife?

Whether you are:

• An aspiring midwife seeking to understand the nuances of this role,
• A hiring manager creating the profile of the perfect candidate,
• Or simply fascinated by the intricacies of midwifery,

You’ve come to the right place.

Today, we’re unveiling a customizable midwife job description template, designed for easy posting on job boards or career sites.

Let’s dive right into it.

Midwife Duties and Responsibilities

Midwives are skilled healthcare professionals who provide a variety of services to expectant mothers, their newborns, and their families.

Their duties span from prenatal care to postpartum support, and they may work in hospitals, birthing centers, or assist with home births.

Midwives typically have the following duties and responsibilities:

• Provide pre-conception counseling and care to women
• Monitor and record the physical and emotional health of expectant mothers throughout their pregnancy
• Conduct antenatal appointments to assess the progress of pregnancies
• Offer advice and guidance on nutrition, exercise, and health during pregnancy
• Help manage labor and delivery, minimizing medical interventions and promoting a natural childbirth experience when possible
• Perform necessary medical procedures during labor, such as episiotomies and suturing
• Monitor the health of the newborn and provide immediate postnatal care
• Offer support and education on breastfeeding, newborn care, and postpartum recovery
• Work collaboratively with obstetricians, pediatricians, and other healthcare professionals when complications arise before, during, or after childbirth
• Keep accurate records and ensure confidentiality and privacy of patients

 

Midwife Job Description Template

Job Brief

We are looking for a compassionate and dedicated Midwife to join our healthcare team.

The midwife will provide expert care, education, counselling and support to women and their families during their antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal periods.

Our ideal candidate is a certified midwife with excellent communication skills, empathetic and has a deep understanding of women’s reproductive health.

 

Responsibilities

• Provide full antenatal care, including screening tests in the hospital, community and the home.
• Identify high-risk pregnancies and make referrals to doctors and other medical specialists.
• Arrange and provide parenting and health education for the woman, her partner and family members.
• Provide counselling and advice before and after screening and tests.
• Offer support and advice following events such as miscarriage, termination, stillbirth, neonatal abnormality and neonatal death.
• Supervise and assist mothers in labour, monitoring the condition of the fetus and apply knowledge of drugs and pain management.
• Give support and monitor the condition of the mother during birth.
• Provide advice for mothers and family on newborn care.

 

Qualifications

• Proven work experience as a Midwife.
• Certified Midwife or equivalent qualification.
• Ability to work effectively in a team.
• Excellent communication and people skills.
• Good observational skills and willingness to work night shifts.
• Empathy, sensitivity and the ability to support and care for others.

 

Benefits

• 401(k)
• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Retirement plan
• Paid time off
• Professional development opportunities

 

Additional Information

• Job Title: Midwife
• Work Environment: Hospital or birthing center. This role will include night shifts and possibly working on weekends and holidays.
• Reporting Structure: Reports to the Head Midwife or Obstetrics Department Head.
• Salary: Salary is based upon candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.
• Location: [City, State] (specify the location)
• Employment Type: Full-time
• Equal Opportunity Statement: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
• Application Instructions: Please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your qualifications and experience to [email address or application portal].

 

What Does a Midwife Do?

Midwives are trained health professionals who specialize in supporting women during pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum period.

They provide complete care for expecting mothers, which includes conducting routine check-ups, providing advice on diet and exercise, and offering emotional support and counseling.

During labor and delivery, a midwife is responsible for monitoring the mother and baby’s well-being, managing complications, and assisting in natural childbirth.

They aim to ensure that the birthing process is as natural and safe as possible.

Postpartum, midwives offer support for breastfeeding, perform newborn screenings, and monitor the health of the mother and baby.

In addition, midwives may also provide general health care and family planning advice to women.

Many midwives work in hospitals, clinics, birthing centers, or in private practice and often collaborate with other health professionals such as obstetricians and pediatricians.

Depending on their level of training and regulations in their country or state, some midwives may also be able to prescribe medication.

Their ultimate goal is to provide the highest standard of care and to ensure a safe, healthy outcome for both mother and baby.

 

Midwife Qualifications and Skills

A professional midwife should have a number of skills and qualifications, including:

• A certified degree in Midwifery or Nursing, as well as relevant certification and licensing to practice as a midwife.
• Outstanding knowledge of all aspects of antenatal care, labor, delivery and postnatal care.
• Ability to provide personalized care that respects the social, emotional and cultural needs of the mother, baby and family.
• Strong interpersonal skills to form trusting relationships with expectant mothers and their families, as well as the ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Excellent communication skills to explain complex medical information in an easily understandable manner and to listen to and address any concerns or fears.
• Physical stamina to work long hours and to assist with labor and delivery, often under stressful conditions.
• Problem-solving skills to make quick decisions and handle emergencies when they arise.
• Ability to carry out necessary clinical procedures, such as monitoring the mother’s health, performing checks on the baby, administering medications, etc.
• Compassion and empathy to provide emotional support during pregnancy, labor and postnatal period.
• Patient counseling skills for guiding expectant mothers on prenatal nutrition, exercise, medication and overall health.

 

Midwife Experience Requirements

To become a midwife, an individual typically must first earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing or a related field and then complete a midwifery education program.

During their education, students gain hands-on experience in clinical settings under the supervision of experienced midwives.

After finishing their education, aspiring midwives typically work for 1 to 2 years in a healthcare setting such as a hospital or birthing center.

This can provide them with the necessary experience in areas like prenatal care, childbirth, postpartum care, women’s health, and newborn care.

Candidates with 3 to 5 years of experience may have honed their technical skills and medical knowledge in entry-level midwifery roles or other related healthcare roles such as a labor and delivery nurse.

Those with over 5 years of experience usually have a wealth of practical experience, advanced midwifery skills, and may have some leadership experience.

They are often prepared to take on managerial roles, become a lead midwife in a birthing center, or even open their own practice.

In addition, many midwife roles require certification from a recognized body like the American Midwifery Certification Board.

The certification process includes passing an exam, which is based on the knowledge and skills acquired through both education and practical experience.

 

Midwife Education and Training Requirements

To become a midwife, one must complete a Bachelor’s degree, often in a health-related field such as nursing or health science.

After obtaining a bachelor’s degree, prospective midwives must then complete a midwifery program, typically a Master’s in Nursing or Postgraduate Diploma in Midwifery, accredited by the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) or a similar body in their respective countries.

These programs offer theoretical and clinical training related to pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum care, newborn health, and reproductive care.

Upon completion of an accredited midwifery program, individuals are eligible to sit for the national certification exam administered by the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB) or a similar body in other countries.

Passing this exam grants the title of Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) or Certified Midwife (CM).

Many states and countries require midwives to be licensed in order to practice.

Licensing requirements vary but generally require that the individual be 21 or older, have a clean criminal record, and pass a national certification exam.

In order to maintain their certification, midwives are required to complete continuing education units throughout their career.

Many midwives also choose to pursue additional certifications or specializations in areas such as lactation consulting, childbirth education, or obstetric emergencies to enhance their skills and knowledge.

 

Midwife Salary Expectations

A midwife can expect to earn an average of $105,030 (USD) per year.

However, the actual salary may vary depending on factors such as experience, qualifications, and location.

Some midwives may earn more if they have specialist skills or if they work in areas where there is a high demand for their services.

 

Midwife Job Description FAQs

What skills does a midwife need?

Midwives require a mix of hard and soft skills.

They must have a thorough understanding of prenatal, antenatal, and postnatal care.

They must be skilled in conducting physical examinations and interpreting medical and diagnostic tests.

In terms of soft skills, midwives should have excellent communication and empathy to provide emotional support to women during pregnancy, labor and after childbirth.

They should also possess problem-solving skills to handle emergencies.

 

Do midwives need a degree?

Yes, to become a midwife one must have a Bachelor’s degree in midwifery or nursing.

Following this, they must complete a postgraduate degree or diploma in midwifery.

Some countries also require midwives to be registered or licensed with a national or state regulatory body.

 

What should you look for in a midwife resume?

First and foremost, ensure the midwife has the necessary qualifications and licensure.

Look for experience in providing prenatal care, assisting in labor and delivery, and offering postnatal support.

Additional qualifications in neonatal care, breastfeeding support, or childbirth education can also be beneficial.

Experience in high-risk pregnancies or in different settings such as hospitals, birth centers, or home births can demonstrate versatility.

 

What qualities make a good midwife?

A good midwife is compassionate, patient, and has strong interpersonal skills to build relationships with expecting mothers and their families.

They need to have excellent decision-making skills to handle emergencies.

Good midwives are also lifelong learners who stay updated with the latest research and best practices in their field.

 

Is it difficult to hire midwives?

Hiring midwives can be challenging due to the specific skill set and qualifications required.

The demand for midwives is also increasing, making the market competitive.

To attract qualified candidates, offering continuous professional development opportunities, competitive salaries, and a supportive work environment can be beneficial.

 

Conclusion

And there you have it.

Today, we’ve given you a glimpse into the truly rewarding world of being a midwife.

Surprise!

It’s not just about delivering babies.

It’s about nurturing the start of life, one precious moment at a time.

With our expertly crafted midwife job description template and real-world examples, you’re fully equipped to embark on this amazing journey.

But why not delve further?

Explore more with our job description generator. It’s your key to creating well-defined job listings or polishing your resume to brilliance.

Don’t forget:

Every moment in midwifery is a part of a larger story.

Let’s create these stories. Together.

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