How to Be Basic Life Support (BLS) Midwife - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Aug 15, 2020 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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Cause: BLS Midwives provide essential medical care to mothers during the pregnancy and childbirth process. Effect: This care includes monitoring the mother's health, providing assessments and advice, and helping to ensure that the mother has a safe and successful delivery. BLS Midwives assist with labor and delivery, providing pain relief, monitoring fetal heart rate, and helping to ensure the baby's safe delivery.

By providing these services, BLS Midwives help to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates, ensure proper postpartum care, and improve overall maternal health. Furthermore, they promote healthy childbirth practices and help to prevent potential complications during delivery.

Steps How to Become

Complete an accredited midwifery program. This could be a certificate, diploma, or associate's degree program. Make sure the program is accredited through an organization such as the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB).
Pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) and obtain a license to practice as a registered nurse. This exam is administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
Complete the Basic Life Support (BLS) certification course. This is a two-day program offered by the American Heart Association (AHA) or other organizations that teaches the skills necessary for responding to medical emergencies.
Obtain certification in Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) from the AHA or another organization that offers this course. This program provides healthcare providers with information and skills needed to resuscitate newborns.
Attend a Midwifery Education Program (MEP). This is a four-year program that provides comprehensive education in midwifery practice, including obstetrics, gynecology, neonatal care, and family planning.
Complete clinical experience requirements. This usually involves working in a hospital or healthcare setting with experienced nurses and midwives, shadowing experienced midwives, and completing a preceptorship in an approved birth center.
Apply for certification as a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) through the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM). This certification requires passing an exam and demonstrating mastery of midwifery skills.
Obtain a license to practice midwifery in your state. This will vary from state to state but generally requires passing an examination and meeting other licensing requirements.

Skilled and qualified Basic Life Support (BLS) Midwives are an essential part of the healthcare system, as they provide life-saving care for both mother and baby during childbirth. In order to become a competent BLS Midwife, a variety of educational and practical experiences must be gained. The educational component includes completing a midwifery related program at an accredited university, which provides knowledge in anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology.

In addition, the midwife must also pass an advanced BLS exam, demonstrating their understanding of the necessary skills and protocols for providing safe and effective care to mothers and babies during delivery. The practical component consists of completing a residency at an approved hospital or clinic, where the midwife will gain hands-on experience in delivering babies and administering medical care to both mother and baby. The combination of educational and practical experience ensures that the midwife is well-prepared to provide safe and effective life-saving care during childbirth.

You may want to check Emergency Management Midwife, Advanced Neonatal Life Support (ANLS) Midwife, and Primary Care Midwife for alternative.

Job Description

Perform physical assessments of pregnant women and their unborn babies.
Monitor fetal heart rate and maternal vital signs during labor and delivery.
Administer medications, fluids, and other treatments as needed.
Perform episiotomies and other complicated deliveries, including C-sections.
Provide education and support to expectant mothers and their families.
Provide postnatal care, including breastfeeding education and support.
Perform newborn assessment, including Apgar scoring, and provide follow-up care.
Refer pregnant women to appropriate specialists as needed.
Maintain accurate patient records and documentation.
Perform routine office duties, such as scheduling appointments and filing medical records.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Assess a patient's vital signs including: blood pressure, pulse rate, respiration rate, temperature and oxygen saturation
Establish a rapport with the patient and their family
Perform basic physical examinations of the pregnant woman and fetus
Recognize and respond to medical emergencies related to pregnancy, labor, delivery and postpartum
Administer medications, treatments and therapies as prescribed by the physician or midwife
Provide patient education and counseling on nutrition, exercise, birth control, post-partum depression and other health issues
Explain the physiology of labor and delivery to the patient and their family
Monitor labor progress, including fetal heart rate and contractions
Assist with delivery of the baby and provide postpartum care
Document patient progress, treatments and interventions in medical records
Collaborate with other healthcare professionals to ensure the best possible outcomes for the patient

Basic Life Support (BLS) Midwifery is an essential skill set for midwives to possess, as it could be the difference between life and death in an emergency situation. It requires them to be knowledgeable in resuscitation techniques and the use of medical equipment such as defibrillators and oxygen systems. BLS is a critical skill to have as it allows midwives to detect and respond to any medical emergencies that may occur during childbirth, such as cardiac arrest, respiratory distress, and fetal distress.

By being able to recognize and respond to these situations quickly and effectively, BLS midwives can ensure the safety and well-being of both mother and child. Furthermore, having BLS skills also allows midwives to provide additional support to the families of those who have suffered a loss due to medical complications during childbirth. With the knowledge and proficiency of BLS midwifery, midwives can help save lives and provide families with the comfort and peace of mind that comes with knowing their loved ones are in good hands.

Intrapartum Care Midwife, Womens Health Care Midwife, and Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) Midwife are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have with providing basic life support in a midwife setting?
Describe the types of medical equipment you are familiar with and comfortable using when providing basic life support.
How do you ensure your knowledge and skills with providing basic life support remain up-to-date?
What strategies do you use to remain calm and confident in stressful situations during a BLS situation?
What techniques do you use to effectively communicate with patients and their families during a BLS situation?
Describe a time when you had to make a difficult decision in a BLS situation.
How do you handle difficult conversations with patients and family members during a BLS situation?
Describe how you work collaboratively with other medical professionals when providing basic life support?
How do you document and record BLS events for patient records?
What methods do you use to educate patients and families about basic life support for future reference?

Common Tools in Industry

Automated External Defibrillator (AED). A device used to shock the heart in the event of a cardiac arrest. (Eg: Lifepak AED)
Oxygen Delivery System. A device used to deliver oxygen to patients. (Eg: Oxygen concentrator)
Pulse Oximeter. A device used to measure oxygen saturation in the blood. (Eg: Nonin GO2)
Suction Device. A device used to suction fluids from a patients airway. (Eg: Laerdal Suction Unit)
Intravenous Fluid Administration Set. A device used to provide intravenous fluids to a patient. (Eg: Baxter IV Pump)
Fetal Monitor. A device used to monitor fetal heart rate. (Eg: Philips Avalon Fetal Monitor)
Drug Administration Set. A device used to administer drugs and fluids to a patient. (Eg: B Braun Syringe Pump)
Resuscitation Bag. A device used to provide artificial ventilation to a patient. (Eg: Ambu Bag)
Stethoscope. A device used to listen to a patient's heart and lungs. (Eg: Littmann Classic III Stethoscope)
Manual Blood Pressure Cuff. A device used to measure blood pressure manually. (Eg: Welch Allyn Tycos Blood Pressure Cuff)

Professional Organizations to Know

American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM)
International Confederation of Midwives (ICM)
National Association of Certified Professional Midwives (NACPM)
National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF)
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
Association of Womens Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN)
Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM)
American Nurses Association (ANA)
National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN)

We also have Labor and Delivery Midwife, Gynaecology and Obstetrics Midwife, and Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Midwife jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS). A set of clinical interventions for the urgent treatment of cardiac arrest, stroke and other life-threatening medical emergencies.
Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP). A program designed to teach healthcare providers how to recognize and manage newborn infants who require resuscitation and stabilization.
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP). A healthcare professional who specializes in the care of newborns, providing primary and acute care to infants and their families.
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). A specialized unit within a hospital that provides intensive care for newborn babies who are born prematurely or with a medical condition requiring close monitoring and specialized care.
Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM). A subspecialty of obstetrics that focuses on managing pregnancies complicated by maternal or fetal medical conditions.
Fetal Monitoring. The use of continuous electronic fetal monitoring during labor to detect any signs of distress in the fetus.
Evidence-Based Care . The integration of best available evidence from systematic research with clinical expertise and patient values to provide the best patient outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is Basic Life Support (BLS) Midwife? A1: Basic Life Support (BLS) Midwife is a professional healthcare provider who is trained to provide basic pre- and post-natal care, as well as life-saving interventions, to pregnant women and their newborns. Q2: What qualifications are required to become a BLS Midwife? A2: To become a BLS Midwife, one must have completed a minimum of a Bachelor's degree in midwifery or a related field and be certified by the American College of Nurse-Midwives or a similar organization. Q3: What are the duties of a BLS Midwife? A3: The primary duties of a BLS Midwife include providing pre- and post-natal care, helping to manage labor, conducting physical examinations, providing nutrition counseling, and providing emergency medical care when needed. Q4: How often should a pregnant woman visit her BLS Midwife? A4: Pregnant women should visit their BLS Midwife at least once per month throughout their pregnancy. Q5: What is the role of a BLS Midwife during labor and delivery? A5: During labor and delivery, the BLS Midwife monitors the mother's vital signs, provides emotional support, helps manage pain, and provides assistance with delivery if necessary.