CERTIFIED NURSE MIDWIFE JOB DESCRIPTION

A Certified Nurse Midwife is an advanced practice registered nurse credentialed by the American Midwifery Certification Board. The scope is wide. This role owns the full clinical arc from antepartum assessment through intrapartum management, postpartum follow-up, newborn care in the first 28 days, and ongoing gynecologic and family planning services for women from adolescence through menopause. Holding prescriptive authority and DEA registration, the CNM operates independently and in co-management with physicians when risk criteria require escalation, placing clinical judgment at the center of every patient encounter.

As the Certified Nurse Midwife, you deliver comprehensive obstetric and gynecological care across inpatient and outpatient settings, managing labor and delivery, diagnosing and treating health conditions, prescribing controlled substances, and maintaining ACNM-aligned standards for a diverse patient population. You work within an interdisciplinary team that includes collaborating physicians, nursing staff, and community health partners, with your caseload spanning low-risk and co-managed high-risk pregnancies depending on the practice site.

Career Impact: Earning and maintaining AMCB certification alongside state CNM licensure positions you among the most independently practicing clinicians in women's health, with a credential recognized across hospital, birth center, and community health settings nationally.

Business Impact: Patients facing antepartum complications, high-risk labor, or limited access to obstetric care depend directly on the CNM's clinical judgment for timely diagnosis, safe delivery, and postpartum recovery outcomes.

Growth Opportunity: Experience managing high-risk co-management cases, supervising midwifery students, and contributing to clinical protocol development builds the competency foundation that leads to Lead CNM, Director of Midwifery, or faculty practice roles.

• Manage antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum care for low-risk patients, escalating to physician co-management when risk criteria are met.
• Conduct comprehensive health assessments including history, physical examination, and differential diagnosis to establish and document patient care plans.
• Order and interpret diagnostic laboratory and imaging studies, initiating or adjusting treatment based on findings.
• Prescribe medications including controlled substances, contraceptives, and uterine stimulants within state-authorized scope of practice.
• Perform obstetric and gynecological procedures including vaginal delivery, laceration repair, episiotomy repair, IUD insertion, and limited OB ultrasound.
• Provide patient and family education on prenatal self-care, family planning, newborn care, and postpartum recovery to support informed decision-making.
• Participate in peer review, quality management activities, and clinical outcomes programs to meet organizational performance targets.
• Mentor midwifery students, nursing staff, and residents in the clinical setting, contributing to protocol development and evidence-based practice initiatives.

• Master's degree or higher from a midwifery program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education, or equivalent graduate-level nursing preparation.
• 2 or more years of clinical experience in obstetric and gynecological care, with exposure to both inpatient and outpatient settings.
• Active national certification as a Certified Nurse Midwife through the American Midwifery Certification Board.
• Current APRN and RN licensure in the state of practice, with prescriptive authority and a valid DEA registration number.
• Current BLS certification and NRP certification, with ACLS or PALS as required by practice site.
• Knowledge of ACNM standards, evidence-based midwifery practice, and the clinical management of common obstetric complications including pre-eclampsia and hemorrhage.
• Proficiency with electronic health record documentation and the ability to maintain accurate, timely clinical records.
• Ability to perform physical patient care tasks including lifting, transferring patients, and sustaining manual dexterity for clinical procedures.

• Experience managing high-risk obstetric cases including diabetes, hypertension, and arrested labor in a co-management model with an OB/GYN.
• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish, supporting care delivery for non-English-speaking and underserved patient populations.
• Completion of continuing medical education aligned with CNM board maintenance requirements and evidence-based clinical updates.
• Prior experience precepting midwifery or nurse practitioner students in an academic or community health training environment.

• Patient encounter volume, measured against the practice site's mandated productivity targets per period.
• Peer review rating, reflecting adherence to ACNM standards and clinical documentation accuracy across chart audits.
• Rate of appropriate physician escalation, indicating correct application of established risk criteria for co-management and referral.
• NRP and BLS certification currency, measured by on-time renewal relative to expiration dates across the credentialing cycle.
• Clinical outcomes program metric attainment, tracking organizational targets for maternal and newborn health indicators.
• Typical tools: Electronic health records (commonly Epic or Cerner); fetal monitoring systems used intrapartum.

• Base Salary Range: $110,000 to $140,000 annually, varying by setting and geography.
• Bonus: Annual performance bonus of 5 to 10 percent, tied to productivity and quality metrics.
• Equity: Not typical in this sector; uncommon outside private practice partnerships.
• Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage standard across hospital and health center employers.
• PTO: 18 to 25 days annually, plus paid holidays and CME leave allowance.
• Common Perks: Malpractice insurance coverage, CME reimbursement, DEA license renewal support, and on-call differential pay.

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

Background checks, including criminal history review and drug screening, are a condition of employment for all clinical positions. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, and local law. Reasonable accommodations are available to individuals with disabilities throughout the application and employment process upon request. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.

The Certified Nurse Midwife owns the full spectrum of obstetrical and gynecological care, from ordering and interpreting diagnostic studies to managing labor, delivery, and postpartum follow-up for patients across inpatient and outpatient settings. Working alongside physicians and an interdisciplinary team, the Certified Nurse Midwife shapes organizational quality by advising on evidence-based practice, mentoring through research, and maintaining credentialing standards that directly support safe, consistent patient outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Evaluate status of labor and facilitate admission of patient to hospital for evaluation and delivery as appropriate.
• Plan and provide continuous labor support and manage the labor and delivery of essentially uncomplicated obstetrical patients, including delivery of infant and immediate care of infant as needed.
• Repair lacerations and episiotomy as indicated and initiate emergency care as needed.
• Provide inpatient postpartum follow-up visits and outpatient postpartum visits following involution.
• Conduct comprehensive or episodic health assessments and develop patient care plans, referring to MD as appropriate.
• Participate in peer review, competency assessment activities, and maintain appropriate credentialing and privileging requirements.
• Advise leadership in adoption of organizational change, quality improvement initiatives, and evidence-based best practice.
• Conduct, assist, and mentor others in research through participant selection, data collection, and related activities.

Required Qualifications

• Master of Nursing degree as APRN-CNM required.
• National certification as a CNM from an accredited body, current APRN and RN licenses, Controlled Substance License, DEA Registration, NRP, BLS, and PALS/ACLS certifications required.
• Minimum 2 years RN experience and 1 year APRN-CNM experience in a relevant setting preferred.
• Proficiency with an Electronic Medical Record required.
• Well-developed interpersonal and communication skills required.

Embedded within an outpatient clinic setting, the Certified Nurse Midwife delivers comprehensive women's health services by completing accurate clinical documentation, managing administrative duties, and maintaining peer review standards across a diverse patient population. Working closely with clinic leadership and care teams, the Certified Nurse Midwife advances organizational quality metrics and ensures reliable, culturally sensitive care that supports positive health outcomes for every patient served.

Core Functions

• Complete all required documentation accurately and timely in accordance with department standards and electronic medical record requirements.
• Follow organizational policies and procedures including credentialing submissions, BLS certification, CME requirements, and mandatory meetings.
• Maintain satisfactory peer reviews and assess medical information including pathophysiology, patient presentation, and differential diagnosis.
• Participate in the Clinical Outcomes Program and work toward meeting organizational targets for all metrics.
• Participate in administrative duties including lab reports, chart reviews, and medication refill management.
• Meet clinic site and organizational needs in a reliable and flexible manner and prioritize work to adhere to schedule.

Qualifications and Experience

• Master's degree required.
• Current Nurse Practitioner Certification, Furnishing Permit, state license, national certification, and DEA license required, along with current AHA BLS or equivalent certification.
• Minimum 2 years experience as a Certified Nurse Midwife or Women's Health Nurse Practitioner in an outpatient clinic setting required.
• Knowledge of patient care activities, the clinic environment, and how services and functions interact required.
• Basic computer literacy to comply with department needs and electronic medical record documentation required.
• Ability to work effectively with patients from diverse social, cultural, and economic groups required.
• Bilingual English and Spanish capabilities strongly desired.

Reporting to clinical leadership, the Certified Nurse Midwife delivers assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and referral services for assigned patient populations, with a direct focus on health promotion and disease prevention. Partnering with an interdisciplinary care team, this position contributes to evidence-based protocol development and quality improvement initiatives that strengthen patient care outcomes across the organization.

Primary Duties=

• Perform assessment, diagnosis, treatment, correction, consultation, and referral for health problems.
• Conduct education of the patient, patient's family, clinical staff, and others.
• Prescribe or administer prescription drugs or devices in accordance with a consultation and referral plan.
• Consult with other healthcare providers and complete appropriate and timely documentation of clinical care.
• Participate in research, utilize evidence-based practice to improve quality patient care, and contribute to protocol and care process model development.
• Maintain and promote health and support prevention of disease for assigned patient populations.

Skills and Qualifications

• Current Idaho state license as a Certified Nurse Midwife, midwifery certification, State Controlled Substance License, Federal DEA Certificate, and BLS Certification required.
• Strong manual dexterity for complex equipment, computer use, and medication preparation required.
• Ability to lift, transfer patients, and navigate busy clinical environments required.
• Ability to provide great patient experiences and work collaboratively as a team player required.
• Maintains regulatory requirements including all federal, state, and local regulations and accrediting organization standards.

Sitting at the intersection of community-based midwifery and evidence-driven clinical practice, the Certified Nurse Midwife manages care for low-risk individuals throughout the childbearing cycle in accordance with ACNM and AABC standards, consulting and co-managing with physicians when complications arise. Operating across antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum care settings, this position ensures that every client receives continuing health supervision, education, and timely referral, directly supporting safe and positive birth outcomes.

Duties

• Manage the care of low-risk individuals at various points in the childbearing cycle according to ACNM and AABC standards.
• Consult with the physician regarding any client who develops symptoms of medical or obstetrical complications.
• Co-manage with physicians the care of women who develop problems, upon agreement of both the physician and the CNM.
• Refer to medical management any woman who develops complications best managed by the physician.
• Plan and provide continuing health supervision and education to all individuals under care.
• Consult with and refer to other members of the health care team and community resources as indicated.

Experience and Qualifications

• Some OB experience in both inpatient and outpatient settings preferred.
• 1-2 years of experience preferred.
• Strong communication skills and critical thinking abilities required.
• Current Colorado midwifery license and BCLS and NRP certifications required.
• Ability to function competently in all areas of nurse-midwifery practice required.

A key member of a collaborative care team, the Certified Nurse Midwife provides full-scope obstetrical, gynecological, and family planning services, including independent management of high-risk cases such as diabetes, pre-eclampsia, and hemorrhage, alongside antepartum through postpartum care. Collaborating across medical, nursing, and community health disciplines, this position supports improved maternal and neonatal outcomes through hands-on clinical care, patient and staff education, and active participation in research and health program design.

Functions

• Provide routine obstetrical and gynecological care including thorough history, physical examination, laboratory test ordering, pap smears, and STD testing.
• Provide family planning education and services including prescribing birth control, inserting IUDs, and fitting diaphragms.
• Provide independent care for high-risk and problem cases on a co-management basis with the physician, including diabetes, pre-eclampsia, hypertension, and hemorrhage.
• Manage antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum care, including determining the need for ultrasound, FAAD, and OCT and interpreting results.
• Initiate and provide emergency care measures including newborn resuscitation, intubation, CPR, and hemorrhage management.
• Collaborate in planning and teaching educational programs for patients, families, and professional health workers.
• Participate in designing and conducting research relevant to health care needs of individuals, families, and communities.
• Maintain health records using a problem-oriented format and order, administer, and monitor medications within prescribed guidelines.

Background and Experience

• Graduate of an accredited School of Midwifery required.
• Valid driver's license required.
• Knowledge of nurse midwifery and medical management practices required.
• Knowledge of emergency measures, interviewing and physical assessment techniques, and manual skills for delivery, anesthesia, and resuscitation required.
• Knowledge of research principles and human behavioral sciences, cultures, and normal growth and development required.

Safe and equitable maternal health care depends on the Certified Nurse Midwife, who evaluates and monitors patient health conditions, orders and interprets diagnostic tests, performs gynecologic and obstetrical procedures, and teaches midwifery and medical students within a diverse hospital and outpatient practice setting. Based within a team of midwives and nurse practitioners, this position advances evidence-based, trauma-informed care that directly supports high-quality outcomes for patients across the full childbearing continuum.

Accountabilities

• Evaluate and monitor patient health conditions in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team and refer to specialty services as needed.
• Assess patient health status through medical record review, health history, and physical examination.
• Order and interpret diagnostic tests and admit and discharge patients to and from hospital inpatient care.
• Perform gynecologic and obstetrical procedures including long-acting reversible contraceptives and limited OB ultrasound.
• Prescribe medications including controlled substances and contraceptives and complete required clinical documentation accurately and timely.
• Teach and supervise midwifery, nurse-practitioner, and medical students and residents in the clinical setting.
• Participate in educational programs, quality improvement projects, and review of current literature and updated clinical practice guidelines.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's or Doctoral-prepared graduate of an accredited school of nursing and a midwifery program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education required.
• Active AMCB certification, current Colorado RN and CNM licenses, provisional or full prescriptive authority, and current BLS and NRP certifications required.
• Knowledge base consistent with core competencies of basic midwifery practice required.
• Skill in empathic communication, motivational interviewing, and trauma-informed care required.
• Ability to evaluate and utilize research to provide high-quality, evidence-based health care required.
• Computer skills including fluency in Electronic Health Records, email, word processing, and database applications required.

As the Certified Nurse Midwife, this role provides comprehensive obstetric and gynecologic services spanning prenatal monitoring, fetal development assessment, labor and delivery, and postpartum care for patients across ambulatory and hospital settings. The women's health care team relies on this work to ensure accurate clinical documentation, evidence-based medication prescribing, and consistent communication across providers that collectively support safe maternal and newborn outcomes.

Job Functions

• Provide midwifery care for patients with obstetric and gynecologic needs during labor, delivery, and postpartum.
• Monitor patients' condition during pregnancies, including co-management of high-risk pregnancies, and perform examinations and procedures.
• Monitor fetal development by listening to fetal heartbeat, taking external uterine measurements, identifying fetal position, and estimating fetal size and weight.
• Guide expectant mothers on prenatal self-care including nutrition, weight gain, and daily activity levels.
• Order and interpret diagnostic and laboratory tests, prescribe medications as permitted by state regulations, and maintain records of patient conditions and test results.
• Maintain and record information in medical records and provide narrative summaries to communicate patient information to other health care providers.

Technical Qualifications

• Master's degree, DNP, or PhD from an accredited nursing and midwifery program approved by ACNM and AMCB required.
• Current unencumbered APRN and CNM licenses, RN license, DEA registration number, valid driver's license, and BLS certification required, with ACLS preferred.
• Must obtain and maintain appointment and approval of applicable scope of practice at respective Sanford facility.
• Knowledge of pharmacology including contraceptives, controlled drugs, sedatives, anesthetics, intravenous solutions, uterine stimulants, and antibiotics required.
• Must work within the legal scope of practice and comply with all state legal constraints and regulations for all licenses held.

Certified Nurse Midwife delivers direct client services including antepartum, intrapartum, postpartum, newborn, family planning, and gynecological care for underserved women and newborns, adhering to established risk criteria for physician consultation and co-management throughout the care continuum. The work directly supports equitable maternal health outcomes in a community health setting by ensuring timely documentation, shared on-call coverage, and consistent productivity that enables the organization to serve its mission population effectively.

What You'll Do

• Manage the care of women and newborns and provide direct client services including antepartum, intrapartum, postpartum, newborn, family planning, and gynecological care.
• Plan and provide continuing health supervision and education to all clients under care.
• Adhere to established risk criteria regarding physician consultation, co-management, or referral for clients who develop symptoms of medical or obstetric complications.
• Document all patient encounters including face-to-face, telephone, and electronic communications in the medical record in a timely manner.
• Participate in quality management activities including peer review and maintain required productivity numbers.
• Share on-call responsibilities and act as a flexible team player, helping other providers and staff as needed.

Professional Experience

• National certification as a midwife and current nurse-midwife license in the District of Columbia required.
• Master's degree in nursing required.
• Current adult CPR certification (ACLS or BLS), neonatal resuscitation certification, NRP certification, DEA license, and ACNM certification required.
• Minimum 40 births experience preferred, new graduates not considered.
• Commitment to working with underserved populations and ability to work in a non-profit environment required.
• APN licensure in Illinois and certification as a nurse-midwife required.

The Certified Nurse Midwife owns clinical management for an assigned patient population in a specialty area, performing and ordering therapeutic and diagnostic procedures while collaborating with the interdisciplinary care team to plan, coordinate, and communicate patient care. Working alongside nursing and medical teams, this position builds on research and committee involvement to disseminate pertinent clinical information that supports consistent, high-quality care delivery across the practice and facility.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• Perform clinical management of patients in a related specialty area following established guidelines.
• Order and perform therapeutic and diagnostic studies and procedures as assigned and demonstrated through competency.
• Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team to plan and coordinate patient care.
• Disseminate pertinent information to assigned patients and staff.
• Providers gathered from research, special projects, or committee involvement.

Position Requirements

• Education and experience in accordance with local, state, and federal requirements.
• Current RN and APRN (CNM) licensure in the state of practice and national certification as a Certified Nurse Midwife required.
• Current NRP, CPR, PALS, BLS, and ALS certifications as required by specialty and practice required.
• Prescriptive authority by the appropriate state agency as required for practice.
• Bilingual Spanish and English preferred.

Embedded within a Brooklyn health center's growing clinical staff, the Certified Nurse Midwife performs gynecological exams, conducts deliveries with affiliated OBGYNs, and manages admissions and discharges for low-risk patients across both inpatient and outpatient encounters. Working closely with physicians and clinical support teams, the Certified Nurse Midwife enables the organization to expand access to respectful, patient-centered reproductive health care for the community it serves.

Scope of Work

• Perform gynecological exams, conduct examinations, and take detailed medical histories.
• Counsel and educate patients and prescribe pharmaceuticals.
• Perform deliveries with affiliated hospital's OBGYN and admit and discharge low-risk patients.
• Chart admission histories and physicals, progress notes, and discharge summaries.
• Participate in clinical research related to improvement of the quality of health care for women and newborns.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited School of Nursing and Midwifery required.
• Certification from the American Midwifery Certification Board and active New York State Registered Nurse license required.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills required.
• Strong attention to detail and good leadership skills required.
• Ability to multitask required.

Reporting to clinical leadership, the Certified Nurse Midwife collects and assesses clinic care data, develops and implements patient management plans, and evaluates outcomes in alignment with ACNM ethics and federal and state regulations across a women's and newborn health practice. Partnering with a multidisciplinary staff team, this position integrates cultural diversity, supports consensus-driven team building, and contributes to clinical research that advances the quality of health care for women and newborns throughout the organization.

Key Deliverables

• Collect and assess clinic care data, develop and implement a plan of management, and evaluate the outcome of care.
• Provide clients with clear information resulting in informed consent.
• Practice in accordance with the Philosophy and Code of Ethics of the ACNM and follow established safety and health measures.
• Demonstrate knowledge of and utilize federal and state regulations applicable to the practice environment and infection control.
• Participate in open, respectful discussion with staff to encourage team building and consensus decision making.
• Integrate cultural diversity, individual autonomy, and legal responsibilities into the care process.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Excellent decision making, critical thinking, and sound clinical judgment abilities required.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills required.
• Ability to deal effectively with people and situational crises required.
• Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the population served.
• Demonstrates caring behaviors of listening, respect, compassion, and accepting individuality.