Clinical Training - Midwifery
The Department of Midwifery places all students in qualified clinical training sites. We replicate the age-old apprenticeship model where students work side-by-side with experienced preceptors (who are licensed midwives) and other professionals. Department staff members work closely with each student in the process of arranging these clinical placements.
Students need to live within a one-hour commute of qualified clinical faculty and must be prepared to relocate temporarily if the community where they reside does not have adequate clinical training opportunities. This requires flexibility and the support of the student's family, as it may mean separation and economic challenges.
Where to Get Clinical Experience
Students may obtain their clinical experience in gynecology/family planning clinics, prenatal/postpartum clinics, homebirth settings, birth centers, and hospitals in North America as well as overseas. Students may work with licensed midwives, certified professional midwives, certified nurse-midwives, nurse practitioners, foreign midwives, naturopathic doctors, physician assistants or physicians during these rotations.
Clinical faculty must be practicing legally and have sufficient obstetrical/gynecological volume to adequately instruct, supervise, and evaluate the student's clinical training. The Department of Midwifery screens and approves all potential clinical faculty.
Practicum - Midwifery
Practicum begins during a student's third quarter. Students start off very slowly, mainly observing for the first few months. What students are able to do in their preceptorships mirrors what they are learning in the classroom.
Basic clinical skills, such as performing blood draws, IVs, physical/ vaginal exams, pap smears, neonatal resuscitation, etc., are all learned by students in the classroom first. Students will be required to obtain training in adult CPR, and have a TB test, be rubella immune and pass a criminal background check.
Clinical Requirements for Graduation - Midwifery
Graduates must meet the following minimum clinical requirements:
Participation in 60 births, including at least:
- 30 births in which the student functions in role of primary midwife under supervision
- 20 births in which the student is actively involved in the client's care
- 10 births in which the student is observing
- 30 births in an out of hospital setting
- 25 births in the US or the student's country of origin
Participation in 1,500 hours (the equivalent of 50 credits) of clinical work, including at least:
- 400 hours of intrapartum experience
- 800 hours of clinic time in prenatal, postpartum and gynecological care
Participation in 720 client contacts, including at least:
- 300 prenatal exams
- 100 postpartum visits
- 50 newborn exams
- 50 follow-up newborn exams
- 50 gynecological exams
Clinical training for at least one year at a minimum of two clinical sites in the US or the student's home country. All clinical training is with preceptors who are practicing legally in their region and will incorporate:
- at least one preceptorship in which the clinical faculty member is a midwife
- one site for at least six months and 15 births (involved and supervised primary) in an out of hospital setting
- one site for at least three months and 10 births
- satisfactory completion of all levels of clinical evaluation
Demonstration of continuity of care by providing these continuous care services to at least 10 women:
- 4 prenatal visits
- 3 postpartum visits
- in 3 of the 10 cases the student must function as primary midwife under supervision