How to Be Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Jan 22, 2020 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

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The Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) is a professional midwife credential that is recognized in the United States and internationally. CPMs provide care to women and families throughout pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. By becoming a CPM, midwives are able to provide safe and comprehensive care to their clients, ultimately leading to better outcomes for mothers and babies.

The CPM credential is achieved by completing an accredited midwifery education program, passing a standardized exam, and joining a recognized professional membership organization. Through the CPM credential, midwives are able to practice independently and collaborate with doctors and other health care providers to ensure the best possible care for their clients. CPMs are able to bill Medicaid and other insurance carriers for their services, making midwifery care more accessible to all.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a High School Diploma or GED. To become a CPM, you must have at least a high school diploma or GED.
Receive Midwifery Training. After completing your high school diploma or GED, you must obtain midwifery training through an accredited midwifery program.
Become a Licensed Midwife. In order to become a CPM, you must become a licensed midwife. Each state has its own regulations and requirements for licensure, so check with your states board of midwifery to learn more.
Pass the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) Exam. The NARM exam is a comprehensive exam covering the full scope of midwifery practice. You must pass this exam in order to become a CPM.
Complete Clinical Experience Requirements. Once you have passed the NARM examination, you must complete clinical experience requirements in order to be eligible to become a CPM. These requirements vary from state to state, so it is important to check with your states board of midwifery for specifics.
Apply for CPM Certification. Once all other requirements have been met, you may apply for CPM certification through the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM). You will need to submit an application, supporting documents, and a fee in order to be certified.

Becoming a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) requires a great deal of skill and dedication. To earn the certification, an individual must complete a rigorous education program, typically including coursework in anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, pharmacology, nutrition, pathology, and obstetrics. they must demonstrate competency in clinical skills such as physical assessment and labor support.

Passing a comprehensive exam is also required to become certified. With the right training and experience, CPMs can provide quality care to women throughout their pregnancy, labor, and postpartum period. This care can lead to better health outcomes for both mothers and babies and greater satisfaction for families.

You may want to check Maternal and Child Health Nurse, Childbirth Educator, and Lactation Consultant for alternative.

Job Description

Provide pre- and post-natal care to pregnant women and their families.
Assist with labor and delivery, including providing physical and emotional support.
Monitor fetal heart rate and other vital signs during labor.
Administer medications and perform medical procedures as necessary.
Educate patients and families about pregnancy, childbirth, and newborn care.
Support the use of natural birth methods, such as water birth and hypnobirthing.
Develop and maintain relationships with other healthcare providers, such as physicians and specialists.
Maintain accurate records of patient visits and health information.
Serve as an advocate for patients and families to ensure they receive quality care.
Follow safety protocols, such as infection control measures.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Evidence-based decision making
Clinical assessment of the pregnant woman
Clinical assessment of the newborn
Knowledge of normal physiology of pregnancy, labor, and birth
Understanding of the normal range of variations in pregnancy, labor, and birth
Management of normal pregnancy, labor, and birth
Recognition of deviation from normal and timely referral to another provider
Knowledge of neonatal resuscitation
Knowledge of the physiology and pharmacology of medications used in the care of pregnant women and newborns
Knowledge of the principles of informed consent
Knowledge of the legal scope of practice for midwifery in the state where practicing
Knowledge of infection prevention and control principles
Knowledge of breastfeeding management and newborn nutrition
Understanding of cultural sensitivity and competency
Advancement of midwifery education and research

Becoming a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) requires a combination of knowledge, experience, and dedication in order to provide safe and quality care for pregnant women and their families. A CPM must be knowledgeable in many areas such as anatomy, physiology, nutrition, pharmacology, assessment and management of labor, delivery and postpartum care, and neonatal resuscitation. They must also have a deep understanding of childbirth practices, cultural beliefs, and ethical standards in order to provide the best possible care for their patients.

they must demonstrate competency in clinical skills by completing a rigorous certification examination and participating in ongoing education courses. The ability to provide evidence-based care while also being compassionate and understanding is essential to being a successful CPM. With these skills, CPMs are able to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of the moms and babies they serve.

Genetic Counseling Assistant, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), and Labor and Delivery Nurse are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What inspired you to become a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM)?
How would you describe your experience and training as a CPM?
What is your approach to providing evidence-based care?
How do you handle situations in which a patients wishes conflict with best practice guidelines?
What strategies do you use for educating patients about the birthing process?
Describe your experience with home and birth center births.
How do you stay current on the latest research and developments in the field of midwifery?
What techniques do you use to reduce stress levels during labor and delivery?
What safety protocols do you follow when providing care to pregnant women and their families?
How do you ensure that patients receive the most comprehensive care possible?

Common Tools in Industry

Fetoscope. A handheld device used to listen to the fetal heartbeat and assess the baby's health (e. g. Doppler Fetal Monitor).
Suturing Kit. A collection of instruments used to close wounds, incisions, and tissue repair (e. g. Sterile Surgical Suturing Kit).
Oxytocin. A medication used to induce, strengthen or regulate labor contractions (e. g. Syntocinon).
Amniotic Fluid Extractor. An instrument used to manually remove excess amniotic fluid from the uterus (e. g. Vacuum Extractor).
Forceps. A set of forceps used to assist in delivery of a baby (e. g. Kielland's Forceps).
Uterine Sound. An instrument used to measure the depth of the uterine cavity and detect any abnormalities (e. g. Hegar Uterine Sound).
Episiotomy Scissors. A pair of scissors used to create an incision in the perineum during delivery (e. g. Mayo-Hegar Episiotomy Scissors).
Manual Vacuum Extractor. A handheld device used to assist in the delivery of a baby (e. g. Vacuette Manual Vacuum Extractor).

Professional Organizations to Know

American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM)
Midwives Alliance of North America (MANA)
National Association of Professional Midwives (NAPM)
North American Registry of Midwives (NARM)
Midwifery Education Accreditation Council (MEAC)
National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA)
Association of Midwifery Educators (AME)
American Association of Birth Centers (AABC)
American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB)
International Confederation of Midwives (ICM)

We also have Family Doctor, Urogynecologist, and Clinical Genetics Specialist jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Midwifery. The practice of providing care to pregnant women and their newborns.
Doula. A trained professional who provides emotional and physical support to a pregnant woman and her partner throughout labor, birth, and postpartum.
Lamaze. A system of childbirth education that focuses on relaxation, breathing, and physical comfort measures, with the goal of reducing the pain and fear of childbirth.
Informed Consent. The process in which a midwife educates a pregnant woman about all aspects of her care and allows her to make an informed decision about her treatment.
Labor and Delivery. The process of childbirth, from the onset of labor to the delivery of the baby.
Postpartum Care. Care provided to a woman after giving birth, which may include physical exams, counseling, and support for breastfeeding and other parenting issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM)? A1: A Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) is a midwife who has met the standards for certification set by the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM). They provide out-of-hospital birth care services to women and their families. Q2: What qualifications are needed to become a CPM? A2: To become a CPM, a midwife must meet the educational, experience and testing requirements established by NARM. This includes completing a minimum of 3 years or 900 hours of midwifery education, completing a minimum of 5 out-of-hospital births as a primary midwife, and passing the NARM written and practical examinations. Q3: What types of services do CPMs provide? A3: CPMs provide comprehensive prenatal care, labor and delivery care, postpartum care, newborn care, and well-woman gynecological care. They also provide education and counseling to women and their families throughout the childbirth process. Q4: Are CPMs licensed in all states? A4: No, CPMs are only licensed in some states. Currently, there are 24 states that license CPMs. In the remaining states, CPMs may practice legally but are not required to be licensed. Q5: How can I find a CPM in my area? A5: The best way to find a CPM in your area is to search online for midwifery organizations or directories in your state. You can also ask your healthcare provider for referrals, or contact NARM for a list of certified midwives in your area.

Web Resources

Midwife Program offered at Southwest Tech www.swtc.edu
Admissions | National College of Midwifery - natcolmid www.midwiferycollege.edu
DEM, LM & CPM Information | National College of Midwifery www.midwiferycollege.edu