BASIC FUNCTION AND RESPONSIBILITY

To practice as a primary health care provider for essentially healthy women including antepartum, intrapartum, postpartum, and gynecological care; to provide specialized health education to patients; and to exercise leadership through clinical practice, student and staff education and research.

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Assess, diagnose and treat health problems for essentially healthy women including antepartum, intrapartum, postpartum, and gynecological care.  Prescribe medications as delegated by physicians.
Treat gynecological conditions in accordance with Standards of Practice established by the American College of Nurse-Midwives.
Manage the labor and birthing process and postpartum recovery.
Assess health status of client and initiate appropriate management plan including interventions and/or referrals.
Consult and collaborate with faculty physicians and senior house officers in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology related to patient care as appropriate.
Provide patient education and support for family planning, premenstrual syndrome, prenatal care, breastfeeding and infant care, and perimenopause.
Perform sexual assault examinations in the Emergency Department, provide for pregnancy and STI prophylaxis, obtain forensic evidence and work with the judicial system and assault advocacy programs as needed.
Document patient care and progress and maintain complete and detailed patient records.
Arrange for postpartum follow-up care including home visits and return clinic visits.
Develop and implement health education programs for the consumer and community agencies.
Develop and implement clinical education programs for nurse midwives, clinical nurses and medical students.
Serve as a preceptor for graduate nursing and nurse midwife students.
Participate in internal peer review.
Participate in the development of policies, procedures and protocols including standards of care.
Participate in development and maintenance of quality assurance activities and programs.
Participate in research projects.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Professional nursing practice is supervised by the Director of Patient Care Services through the Director of the Nurse-Midwifery Service.
Medical practice is supervised by the Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology through the Chief of Maternal-Fetal Medicine.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Functional supervision may be exercised over Clinical Nurses, LPN's and other support staff.

QUALIFICATIONS

Master's degree, preferably in clinical nursing is necessary.
Graduation from a Nurse Midwife program is necessary.
Licensure as a Nurse Midwife in the State of Michigan is necessary.
Certification as a Nurse Midwife from the American College of Nurse Midwives is necessary.
Current licensure as a Registered Nurse in the State of Michigan is necessary.
This position requires Primary Source Verification.