Core Midwife/Registered Nurse Maternity

at  Clutha Health First

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Position Title: Core Midwife
Location: Balclutha, Otago
Reports To: Team Leader
Number of Direct Reports: Not Applicable
Date: May 2024

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES: PERFORMANCE MEASURES:

The Core Midwife works in partnership with the woman • Individual and shared responsibilities are recognised

• Open interactive communication is facilitated
• Relevant information is shared within the partnership
• Midwifery philosophy is identified and the midwife

freely shares this with the woman

• Personal value system is not imposed on others
• Is culturally safe

Practice reflects the values and beliefs of Clutha
Health First
The Core Midwife upholds each woman’s right to free and • Relevant information, including birth options are
informed choice and consent throughout the childbirth shared with the woman, and is satisfied that the

experience woman understands all the implications

• The decision-making process is facilitated without

coercion

• Negotiates her role as care-giver and clearly identifies

mutual responsibilities

• A plan for Midwifery care is developed in collaboration

with the Lead Maternity Carer (LMC) and with the

woman/whanau

• The decisions made by the woman are respected, even

when these decisions are contrary to her own belief

• The woman’s right to decline treatments or

procedures are respected

• When her professional judgement is in conflict with

the decision or plans of the LMC and woman this is

clearly stated

• Discusses as necessary with the woman and consults

with colleagues in an effort to find mutually satisfying

solutions

• Decisions and her Midwifery actions are documented

The Core Midwife collates and documents comprehensive • Information is collected and compiled from the first
assessments of the woman and/or baby’s health and well- point of contact with the woman
being. • Collects information using all sources in consultation

with the woman.

• Collects information which includes;

Personal and family/whanau details
Physical, psychological emotional
Cultural and spiritual dimensions
Physical, social and cultural environment as per

Clutha Health First Health Records policy

• The individual nature of each woman’s pregnancy is

acknowledged in her assessments and documentation

• Assessments are documented and used as the basis

for on-going Midwifery care
The Core Midwife maintains purposeful, on going, updated • Records are reviewed and updated at each
records and makes them available to the woman and other professional contact with the woman

relevant persons • Clinical record documentation:

• Requirements are completed
• Standards are met
• Complies with legislation requirements
• Completes other records/reports as required as

per Clutha Health First Health Records Policy &

Procedures

• Reports are filed appropriately
• Records are accessible and available at all times to the

woman and other relevant and appropriate persons

with the woman’s knowledge and consent

• Confidentiality of information is ensured

Midwifery care is planned in collaboration with the LMC and • Provides information from her knowledge and

the woman experience

• Provides access to a variety of other information

sources

• The woman is supported in seeking out information
• The decision-making process is facilitated
• The Midwifery care plan demonstrates an analysis of

the information gained from the assessment process

• Midwifery judgements and actions are set out as

required to meet the woman’s goals and expectations

• The care plan is woman-centred
• Involves and respects the woman’s significant others in

care as desired by the woman

• The safety of the woman and baby is considered in all

planning of care

• The woman’s significant others are involved in care as

desired by the woman
Midwifery actions are prioritised and implemented • Midwifery actions are planed on the basis of current
appropriately with no Midwifery action or omission placing and reliable knowledge and in accordance with Acts,

the woman at risk Regulations and relevant policies

• Assessment is on-going and the midwifery plan is

modified accordingly in collaboration with the LMC

• Potentially life threatening situations are responded to

and take priority

• Competency to act effectively in any emergency

situation is demonstrated

• Uses appropriate emergency equipment
• Deviations from the normal are identified, and

following discussion with the woman, consults with the

LMC and assists in appropriate referring

• Works collaboratively with other health professionals

and community groups as necessary

• Refers care to the appropriate health professional

when she has reached the limit of her expertise

• Continues to provide Midwifery care in situations

where medical skills are required

• Acknowledges every interaction with the woman as a

teaching/learning opportunity

• Demonstrates awareness of her own health status

and seeks support to ensure optimum care for the
woman is maintained
The Core Midwife is accountable to the woman, to the LMC, • Technical competency is demonstrated
to herself, to the Midwifery profession and to the wider • Decisions and professional actions are clearly

community for her practice documented

• All information relevant to each woman is made

available to the woman

• Women are aware of mechanisms for complaints and

review

• Midwifery practice is based on relevant and recent

research

• Ensures in situations where another dimension of care

is needed, negotiation takes place with other care
providers to clarify who has the responsibility for the

care

• Acts on her advocacy role
• Any misjudgement of practice are documented and

restorative action initiated

• Own learning needs are recognised and finds

opportunities to have these met

• Reflects on practice and generates new ideas
• Seeks to maintain and improve the policies and

quality of service within Clutha Health First
The Core Midwife evaluates her practice • The core midwife is involved in the evaluation of her

practice

• Results of evaluation in her practice are utilised
• Collaborates to develop peer appraisal and quality

assurance programmes

• Annual performance review completed
• Meets the performance expectations as identified in

the Staff Performance review process

• Participates in the Midwifery Council Review Process
• Maintains and/or extends knowledge and skill base

required for effective performance

• Negotiates with management to attend appropriate

education and training
The Core Midwife assists the LMC in negotiating the • Recognises the woman to be independent in the care
completion of the midwifery partnership with the woman of herself and her baby prior to discharge from

Midwifery care

• On-going care from other health professionals and

community agencies where necessary is organised

• Ensures the woman has had an opportunity to reflect

on and discuss her childbirth experience

• The woman and her family/whanau are informed of

available community support networks

• Discusses with the woman the ongoing support needs

of both mother and baby
The Core Midwife develops and shares Midwifery knowledge • Participates in on-going Midwifery education

and initiates and promotes research

• Gives special recognition to the orientation and

familiarisation of new staff and student Midwives and

shares her expertise in a supportive manner

• Ensures advancement of Midwifery knowledge is

based on activities that protect the rights of women

• Ensures that Midwifery research incorporates the

ethics outlined in the New Zealand College of
Midwives, the International Confederation of
Midwives Codes of Ethics and those required of Clutha

Health First

• Research findings are shared and incorporated into

Midwifery practice

• Participates in the assessment of learning as

appropriate (colleagues and mothers/babies)

• Assists colleagues to acquire midwifery knowledge and

skills

• Supports colleagues with services delivery/midwifery
• Educational resources are utilised and resources

developed as necessary as agreed by the Inpatient &

Maternity Services Co-ordinator

• Participates in groups/committees as appropriate

Contributes to Continuous Quality Improvement • Actively participates in quality audits and activities

• Appropriately contributes to case reviews
• Seeks feedback from colleagues
• Involved in continuing quality improvement activities
• Ensure all policies, procedures and standards of

practice of CCHCL, relevant Acts, Regulations,
Employment contracts and statutory obligations are
adhered to, in the interest of client safety, good
employer requirements of the Health & Disability
Services Act and within the principles of Equal
Employment Opportunity, the Treaty of Waitangi and

recognition of Tangata Whanua.

• Be flexible and prepared to work outside traditional

boundaries to develop flexibility and achieve

efficiency.

• Provide clinical advice (both solicited and unsolicited)

to the Maternity Team Leader to ensure the safe and
effective delivery of maternity care at Clutha Health
First
The staff member will perform such other duties as • That all other additional duties are performed in an
reasonably required by the manger in accordance with the efficient manner, at the required time and within a
conditions of the position. negotiated timeframe.
Maintain high standards of performance • Meet the performance expectations as identified in

the Staff Development Performance Appraisal process.

• Undertake annual CPR, OSH, Fire Training and any

other service requirement training as per Clutha

Health First CQI plan and procedures.

• Perform all duties in a responsible manner; with due

care for the health and safety of self and other
employees, patients and the general public, within the
limit of his/her knowledge base.
Ensure the provision of a safe and clean environment for • Ensure maintenance and responsible use of

mothers,babies, staff and visitors consumables and equipment.

• Ensure appropriate reporting of incidents, equipment

faults and problems to the Manager.

• Practice is safe and meets legal requirements.
• Practice protects and enhances individual rights.
• All records are maintained to meet policy and

procedure requirements.

• Maintain knowledge of fire and Civil Defence

procedures

• Be familiar with and implement Infection Control in all

daily activities.
Maintain good communication and interpersonal • Act in a professional manner in relationships with all
relationships within Clutha Health First staff to enhance interdisciplinary harmony within the

facility

• Midwifery perspective is promoted within the

professional activities of the healthcare team
Adopt a philosophy which encourages flexibility, • Ensure all policies, procedures and standards of
cooperation, collaboration and co -ordination of service practice of CCHCL, relevant Acts, Regulations,
delivery in an integrated patient orientated system Employment contracts and statutory obligations are
adhered to, in the interest of client safety, good
employer requirements of the Health & Disability
Services Act and within the principles of Equal
Employment Opportunity, the Treaty of Waitangi and

recognition of Tangata Whenua.

• Be flexible and prepared to work outside traditional

boundaries to develop flexibility and achieve
efficiency.

Scope for Action

• The Core Midwife must be able to give the necessary supervision, care and advice to women prior to and during

pregnancy, labour and the postpartum period, to assist women in the birthing process and to care for the newborn

and the infant.

• The Core Midwife is to work in collaboration with the Lead Maternity Carer (LMC) in providing care to women, babies

and their family/whanau.

• The Core Midwife is accountable for the day-to-day delivery of care within the hospital setting and management of

own workload.

• Issues and problems outside the scope of practice and knowledge and skills of the midwife should be referred to the

Team Leader Maternity Services.

• Though individual accountability is paramount, the core midwife is also expected to function within an

interdisciplinary team.

• Service and staff performance issues must be referred to the Team Leader Maternity Services.
• The midwife has no authority for budget expenditure

Treaty of Waitangi

• Clutha Health First recognises the special relationship between Māori and the Crown and has an understanding of the

articles/principles of the Treaty of Waitangi.

• As an employee you will be required to develop an understanding of the cultural concepts, values and tikanga that

might affect the well being of Māori patients.
Health and Safety
Clutha Health First is committed to achieving the highest level of health and safety for its staff. All employees are
expected to take initiative and identify, report and resolve issues that may cause harm to themselves or others in the
organisation. As an employee of Clutha Health First, the health and safety of clients, patients and colleagues, as well as
your own, are your responsibility. You are expected to work safely at all times, and to actively participate in the health
and safety programs. It is expected that you will report all accidents or potential hazards to your manager.
Clutha Health First employees will participate in and comply with the requirements of the Health & Safety at Work Act

2015 plus amendments and associated CHF procedures.

• Work practices ensure safety for self and others
• Advice or assistance is sought before commencing an unfamiliar work practice
• Hazards are identified, control plans documented, hazards eliminated, minimised or isolated.
• Comply with Clutha Health First incident reporting and Health & Safety policy
• Emergency management procedures and compulsory/compliance education and training completed.

Quality and Risk
Clutha Health First is committed to continuous quality improvement. Our focus is to improve our practice and the quality
of care received by patients. Our goal is to embed continuous improvement in our daily activities, by focusing on
improving systems and processes, enhancing our communication with other health providers and increasing consumer
involvement.
Changes to Position Description
From time to time it may be necessary to consider changes to the position description in response to the changing nature
of our work environment – including technological requirements or statutory changes. This Position Description may be
reviewed as part of the preparation for your annual performance and development review.
Acknowledged / Accepted:
Employee Name
Employee Signature Date
Team Leader Name:
Team Leader Signature: Date

OUR PURPOSE

Collaborate – Innovate – Advocate … for a healthy community.

PURPOSE OF ROLE

• To provide midwifery care to women and their babies in a manner that is clinically safe, culturally appropriate and

includes the immediate family/whanau.

• The manner in which care is provided reflects the shared values and objectives of the organisation.

The Core Midwife works in partnership with the woman • Individual and shared responsibilities are recognised

• Open interactive communication is facilitated
• Relevant information is shared within the partnership
• Midwifery philosophy is identified and the midwif

mutual responsibilities

• A plan for Midwifery care is developed in collaboratio