The Certified Nurse Midwife reflects the mission, vision, and values of Northwestern Medicine, adheres to the organizationās Code of Ethics, Corporate Compliance Program and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines, and all regulatory and accreditation standards.
The APRN Certified Nurse Midwife is a licensed registered nurse (RN) and therefore can perform all functions that are within the scope of an RN License. In addition, the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse must have a current Advanced Practice Registered Nurse License and have earned a masterās or doctoral degree in a specialized area of nursing. The licensed Advanced Practice Registered Nurse functions autonomously in a specialized area of nursing and collaborates with other health care professionals to provide direct care that is comprehensive, reflects advanced knowledge, clinical expertise and is evidenced based on current research and practice.
Responsibilities:
- Provides direct care to patients which demonstrates clinical expertise and advanced knowledge.
- Diagnoses and manages acute and chronic health problems within specialty area of practice.
- Collaborates and consults with physicians and other health care professionals in area of clinical expertise.
- Develops educational systems and strategies for teaching patients, families and staff on topics related to area of expertise.
- Mentors graduate students in aspects of advanced practice.
- Actively participates in and/or conducts research and quality improvement pertinent to area of expertise.
Specific Performance Standards:
Clinical
- Conducts comprehensive assessments of patientsā health status by taking health histories and performing advanced physical examinations in specialty area.
- Provides direct clinical care to patients.
- Orders and interprets laboratory and diagnostic tests to establish diagnoses and develop a comprehensive treatment plan.
- Orders/prescribes medications, therapies, interventions and procedures according to clinical privileges and CNM scope of practice.
- Documents in the medical record all care provided and/or procedures performed for which the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse is responsible. Collaborates with all members of the multidisciplinary team to develop and direct an individualized and comprehensive treatment plan.
- Coordinates the discharge planning process or after visit care with patients, families and all members of the multidisciplinary team.
- Consults with other specialties and disciplines as appropriate to meet all health care needs of patients.
Leadership
- Participates in unit/departmental/divisional or hospital committees/task forces and professional organizations.
- Advocates for patients, families, nursing staff and other members of the healthcare community.
- Assists in the development of policies and procedures in clinical area of expertise to establish standards for clinical practice.
- Consults with NM leadership in the identification, evaluation and problem solving of clinical system and process issues.
- Collaborates with NM leadership teams to develop, implement and evaluate strategic plans for quality improvement initiatives, utilizing evidenced based practice guidelines as appropriate.
- Collaborates with physicians to lead changes in clinical practice.
Education
- Teaches and counsels patients and families in preventive care, medical conditions, plan of care, anticipated outcomes, and the use of prescribed treatments and drugs.
- Develops and participates in programs to meet educational needs of the clinical team related to area of expertise
- Serves as a role model for NM staff and preceptor for graduate students.
- Provides formal and informal education to both internal and external groups pertinent to area of expertise.
- Provides formal and informal educational programs to nursing staff, graduate students, and other healthcare professionals pertinent to specialty area.
- Collaborates with academic institutions to provide and promote clinical learning experiences and educational programs for APRNās, physicians in training and all health care professionals.
Research/Quality/Outcomes
- Identifies relevant areas of clinical research and assists with development and coordination of research protocols and quality projects.
- Participate in/review evidence-based research/guidelines and apply to clinical practice.
- Collaborates with the multidisciplinary teams to conduct research and participate in clinical trials within area of expertise.
- Participate in service-line specific quality initiatives and development of outcome metrics.