Course overview
The aim of this course is to apply beginning level midwifery knowledge, attitude and skills in a clinical practice environment and to achieve the course objectives in alignment with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) Midwife Standards for Practice through midwifery clinical placements. Evidence-based practice, health assessment; antenatal assessment; health history; ongoing antenatal care; antenatal screening; midwifery care plan; family planning and contraception; antenatal education; abdominal assessment; fetal heart rate; auscultation; vital signs; urinalysis; early labour assessment; assessment of the newborn; care of the woman postpartum; care of the woman's perineum; breastfeeding; skin-to-skin; clinical skills and medication administration (e.g. maternal, sub-cut and oral medications; IM injections and neonatal IM injections); neonatal screening; medicine calculations; documentation according to professional guidelines; reflective practice; e-portfolio; communication skills; clinical handover; facilitates decision making by woman; woman-centred care; continuity of care; manual handling; maternal and neonatal safety and quality; teamwork; collaboration; personal and professional development; primary health; midwifery practice standards; professional boundaries.
Course learning outcomes
- Demonstrate safe and effective woman-centred midwifery care throughout the normal childbirth continuum in accordance with legislation and professional regulation in the context of a multicultural society.
- Accept accountability and responsibility for own actions and recognise the significance of respectful professional partnerships within the healthcare team.
- Develop the ability to use appropriate communication strategies to promote an optimal physical, psychosocial, cultural and spiritual environment for women and their families.
- Use research to inform evidence-based midwifery practice within contemporary Australian society.
- Incorporate an understanding of primary and public health in midwifery practice.
- Identify personal beliefs and learning needs through reflective practice and self-evaluation.
- Develop beginning skills in documenting professional practice and learning through an e-portfolio