How to Be International/Global Health Midwife - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Apr 8, 2023 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

Professional Organizations

FAQ

Links

The impact of international/global health midwives is immense. Their work ensures that women in developing countries have access to healthcare and maternal services, which can reduce maternal mortality rates, improve infant health, and promote economic development. By providing services such as antenatal care, labor and delivery assistance, and postpartum care, global health midwives can help reduce infant mortality rates, improve overall public health outcomes, and boost economic growth.

midwives are often involved in community outreach, providing health education and creating awareness about the importance of maternal and child health. As a result, their efforts can lead to increased access to healthcare, increased quality of life, and improved social well-being.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a nursing or midwifery degree from an accredited institution. This may involve completing a four-year bachelor's degree program or a two-year associate's degree program.
Become certified as a midwife by taking and passing an exam through a national certification body, such as the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB) or the National Association of Certified Professional Midwives (NACPM).
Acquire practical experience working as a midwife in a hospital, birth center, or other health care facility.
Consider pursuing a master's degree in midwifery or a related field, such as public health or global health.
Acquire clinical experience in international settings, such as a developing country or refugee camp. This can be done through volunteer work or a paid position.
Gain experience working with diverse populations, such as those living in remote areas or who have limited access to health care.
Develop an understanding of the social, economic, and cultural factors that influence health outcomes in different areas of the world.
Take courses in global health, such as public health, health policy, and development studies.
Become proficient in another language, such as Spanish or French, to better communicate with patients in international settings.
Join professional organizations related to global health midwifery, such as the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) or the International Maternity and Midwifery Alliance (IMMA).

The demand for International/Global Health Midwives has risen in recent years as the need to provide quality medical care to communities around the globe has grown. To become an ideal and competent International/Global Health Midwife, one must possess knowledge of global health issues, cultural competency, and the ability to work collaboratively with different cultures. Furthermore, they must have clinical experience in a wide range of settings, including rural and underserved communities, as well as have a comprehensive understanding of the factors that can lead to poor maternal and infant health outcomes.

Finally, the International/Global Health Midwife must have strong communication skills in order to effectively share information and build relationships with stakeholders from all backgrounds. Having these core competencies will enable the midwife to provide optimal care for their patients and their families, thereby improving global health outcomes.

You may want to check Antepartum and Postpartum Midwife, Homebirth Midwife, and Primary Maternity Care Midwife for alternative.

Job Description

International Health Midwife: Provides midwifery services to women and families in low-resource countries, with a focus on improving health outcomes and reducing maternal and infant mortality.
Global Health Midwife: Works in collaboration with global health organizations to provide midwifery services to women and families in low-resource countries.
International Public Health Midwife: Works to promote public health initiatives related to maternal and child health in developing countries.
Community Health Midwife: Provides midwifery services to women and families in local communities, with a focus on health education and promotion.
Research Midwife: Conducts research on international health issues related to maternal and infant health, with a focus on finding interventions to reduce mortality rates.
Program Coordinator: Manages international programs related to maternal health and midwifery care, with a focus on increasing access to services.
Policy Analyst: Analyzes policies related to maternal health and midwifery care, with a focus on making recommendations for improvement.
Advocate: Raises awareness of international health issues related to maternal and infant health, with a focus on advocating for improved access to services.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of international health concepts, policies, and practices
Knowledge of reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health
Knowledge of midwifery care and scope of practice
Cultural awareness and sensitivity
Ability to develop, implement, and evaluate programs and services
Ability to collaborate and coordinate with other healthcare providers
Knowledge of evidence-based practice
Knowledge of nutrition and health promotion
Understanding of community development and empowerment
Effective communication, problem solving, and decision making skills
Ability to travel and work in challenging environments
Computer literacy and ability to use databases and software

International/Global Health Midwives play a critical role in providing compassionate and knowledgeable care to women and families around the world. The ability to think critically and develop innovative solutions to complex global health challenges is essential for these midwives, as they are often faced with unique and difficult situations. They must have a deep understanding of the cultural, economic, and political influences that shape the health of communities and be able to effectively collaborate with a variety of stakeholders to address health disparities.

International/Global Health Midwives must be able to quickly assess the health needs of the population, develop effective strategies for addressing those needs, and monitor the implementation of those strategies. By doing so, they are able to ensure that appropriate care is provided and effective policies are in place to protect womens rights and improve the health of people around the world.

Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Midwife, Prenatal Care/Counseling/Screening/Testing Specialist Midwife, and Labor and Delivery Room Nurse/Nurse Manager/Charge Nurse/Case Manager Midwife are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in providing care to women from diverse cultural backgrounds?
What challenges have you faced when providing maternity care in a global setting?
How would you handle a situation where you had to provide care to a woman with limited resources?
What strategies do you think are important for providing quality global health midwifery care?
What role do you think midwives should play in addressing health disparities in international settings?
How would you ensure that the services provided by your team are culturally appropriate and respectful?
What is your experience in the development and implementation of training programs for global health midwives?
How do you feel about working in remote areas with limited resources?
What methods do you think should be used to ensure that global health midwifery services are accessible to all women?
How do you ensure that you stay up-to-date on best practices and current knowledge related to global health midwifery?

Common Tools in Industry

Electronic Medical Records (EMR) Software. Used to store and manage patient information, including medical histories, diagnoses, and treatments. (Eg: Cerner, Epic)
Infection Control Software. Used to track and monitor infection control measures, such as immunization status, handwashing, and sterilization techniques. (Eg: TractManager, HICPAC)
Telehealth Software. Used to provide virtual care services, such as video conferencing, messaging, and remote monitoring. (Eg: Zoom, doxy. me)
Scheduling Software. Used to manage and book appointments, coordinate care teams, and send automated appointment reminders. (Eg: AthenaHealth, CareCloud)
Documentation Software. Used to create and store medical notes, reports, and other documents in a secure digital format. (Eg: ChartLogic, Dragon Medical One)
Analytics Software. Used to collect data, generate reports, and identify trends for better understanding and decision-making. (Eg: Tableau, Microsoft Power BI)
Communication Platforms. Used to share information securely between healthcare providers and other stakeholders. (Eg: Slack, Microsoft Teams)

Professional Organizations to Know

International Confederation of Midwives (ICM)
American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM)
Global Midwifery Council (GMC)
International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO)
World Health Organization (WHO)
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
Save the Children International
Marie Stopes International
The White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood
Maternal and Child Health Integrated Program (MCHIP)

We also have Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Midwife, Neonatal Transport/Airway Management Midwife, and Clinical Midwife jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

International Health. The study of international health is an interdisciplinary field that focuses on the health and well-being of people in different countries around the world. It examines the influence of global interconnectedness on health, including disparities in health care, access to health services, and public health outcomes.
Global Health. Global health is a term used to describe the study of health and disease on a global scale. It focuses on understanding the factors that influence health outcomes across the world and how they can be improved.
Health Equity. Health equity is the concept that everyone should have access to the same level of health care regardless of race, gender, age, class, or any other factor. It seeks to ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to be healthy and that no one is disadvantaged due to existing social inequalities.
Universal Health Care. Universal health care is a system of health care that provides comprehensive coverage for all citizens regardless of their ability to pay. It is designed to provide access to quality health services for all people, regardless of their economic status.
Primary Care. Primary care is a type of healthcare that focuses on providing preventive and basic medical care for individuals and families. It is usually the first point of contact for individuals seeking medical treatment and is typically provided by general practitioners and other healthcare professionals.
Public Health. Public health is a field of study that focuses on improving the overall health of communities through prevention and education. It seeks to prevent disease, promote healthy lifestyles, and protect communities from potential public health threats.
Midwifery. Midwifery is a profession that provides expert care and advice to women during pregnancy, labor, and childbirth. Midwives are trained to work with women and their families to ensure they receive the best possible care throughout the pregnancy and birthing process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is an International/Global Health Midwife? A1: An International/Global Health Midwife is a specialist midwife who works with vulnerable populations around the world to promote and improve maternal health outcomes. Q2: What qualifications do you need to become an International/Global Health Midwife? A2: To become an International/Global Health Midwife, you need to have a bachelor's degree in midwifery and be registered as a midwife with the relevant governing body. Additionally, experience in public health and international health is highly beneficial. Q3: What tasks does an International/Global Health Midwife perform? A3: An International/Global Health Midwife performs many tasks, including providing antenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal care; promoting health education; collaborating with other healthcare professionals; advocating for policy reforms; and engaging in research. Q4: What challenges do International/Global Health Midwives face? A4: International/Global Health Midwives often face many challenges, such as limited resources, language barriers, cultural differences, and lack of access to healthcare for vulnerable populations. Q5: How can International/Global Health Midwives make a difference? A5: International/Global Health Midwives can make a difference by providing quality care to vulnerable populations, advocating for policy reforms, and engaging in research to help improve maternal health outcomes worldwide.

Web Resources

Empowering Nurses and Midwives to Improve Global Health www.nursing.columbia.edu
Helping Midwives Save Lives at the Border - Global Health globalhealth.stanford.edu
UI Health midwives drive diversity in midwifery education nursing.uic.edu