Note that the essential skills profiles were not updated to reflect the transitions to the Skills for Success model and the 2021 version of the National Occupational Classification (NOC). For more up-to-date information on the skills required for different occupations, visit the Occupational and Skills Information System (OaSIS) website.

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Essential skills profile

This profile contains a list of example tasks that illustrate how each of the 9 essential skills is generally performed by most workers in this occupation. The levels of complexity estimated for each task are ranked between 1 (basic) and 5 (advanced).

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Midwives(3224)

Midwives provide full-course care to women and their babies during the pre- and post-natal period. They are employed in hospitals, clinics, birthing centres or in private practices. This occupation is a subgroup of NOC 3124 - allied primary health practitioners.

Reading Help - Reading
  • Read instructions, precautions and implications on medication packaging, e.g. read dosage instructions on medications, such as pitocin and methergine, when attempting to stop post-partum hemorrhaging. (1)
  • Read email messages, e.g. read email messages from colleagues to confirm details of meetings. (2)
  • Read short comments in a variety of forms, e.g. read text on intake forms to learn about clients' medical histories, family backgrounds, social environments and lifestyles. (2)
  • Read case notes and clients' files, e.g. read case notes and client files to review observations, diagnoses, assessment conclusions and recommendations. (2)
  • Read letters, e.g. review letters from health care professionals to learn about case details and the medical opinions of referring practitioners. (2)
  • Review information on patients' charts, e.g. read observations written on client's charts by other health professionals to learn about changes in client condition. (2)
  • Read instructions, e.g. read instructions to learn how to set up, operate and maintain equipment, such as epidural pumps and sphygmomanometers (blood pressure monitors). (3)
  • Read industry publications and trade magazines, e.g. read articles in publications, such as Midwifery Today, to keep abreast of new initiatives and training opportunities in midwifery. (3)
  • Read clinical journals, e.g. read articles in journals, such as The British Journal of Midwifery and The Journal of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada, to learn about new research and processes. (4)
  • Read medical textbooks, handbooks, manuals and online reference materials, e.g. read Principles of Anatomy and Physiology to learn technical knowledge that will assist with health diagnoses and the delivery of client services. (4)
Document use Help - Document use
  • Observe symbols and icons on products, packaging and equipment, e.g. observe symbols on packaging to determine bio-hazard risks. (1)
  • Enter data into schedules and log books, e.g. enter clients' names and contact information into calendars and appointment schedules. (1)
  • Scan labels on medications to verify patients' names, dosages, administration schedules, ingredients and reconstitution instructions. (1)
  • Complete a variety of forms, e.g. enter clients' medical, social and family histories and describe relevant lifestyle factors on intake and assessment forms. (2)
  • Locate and plot data in charts, e.g. plot measurements of fundal heights on intrauterine growth charts to monitor growth of the fetus. (2)
  • Locate data in a variety of tables, e.g. locate data about amniotic fluid amounts, fetal anatomy and biometry in obstetrical ultrasound reports. (3)
  • May complete complex forms, e.g. complete insurance claim forms to identify their professional credentials, record client information and provide summaries of the services they provided. (3)
  • May study and interpret anatomical drawings and diagrams, e.g. study anatomical drawings to learn how to explain medical conditions or disease processes to clients. (3)
  • May interpret ultrasound images, e.g. midwives interpret ultrasound images to monitor the growth and body position of a fetus during pregnancy. (3)
Writing Help - Writing
  • Write reminders and short notes, e.g. write short notes to remind office staff of tasks and activities to be performed. (1)
  • Write case notes, e.g. write case notes to record health concerns, past treatments and ongoing conditions, as well as their own observations. (2)
  • Write short letters and email messages, e.g. write letters to provincial health care systems to provide information about clients and the services provided. (2)
  • May write marketing and promotional materials, e.g. may write marketing materials to describe their services and philosophies of practice. (4)
  • May write articles for health publications, magazines, newspapers and clinical journals to educate readers about midwifery. (4)
Numeracy Help - Numeracy
  • Calculate reimbursements for the purchase of clinical and administrative supplies. (1)
  • Take a variety of vital sign measurements, e.g. measure vital signs, such as blood pressure and temperature, using digital tools, such as blood pressure monitors and thermometers. (1)
  • Measure body parts using their hands as measurement tools, e.g. midwifes measure dilation of the cervix using their fingers. (1)
  • Compare vital sign measurements, such as temperature, heart rate and blood pressure, to normal ranges. (1)
  • Estimate quantities of material and equipment needed for job tasks, e.g. estimate the amount of supplies needed for client care. (1)
  • May schedule client appointments, allocating realistic amounts of time for consultations, treatments, last minute requests and health emergencies. (2)
  • Monitor inventories, drugs and supplies to ensure sufficient stock is available when needed. (2)
  • Estimate fetal gestation and due dates by considering menstrual cycle dates and ultrasound measurements. (2)
  • Calculate reimbursement amounts for the services they provide. (3)
  • Compare data from multiple readings to baseline norms in order to identify differences that may indicate health problems, e.g. compare weight and growth measurements between visits to ensure a pregnant woman is gaining weight at a pace considered normal and healthy. (3)
  • May prepare annual operating budgets by forecasting monthly expenditures, revenues and capital purchases. (4)
Oral communication Help - Oral communication
  • Speak with support staff to discuss scheduling and delegate administrative tasks, such as filing. (1)
  • Speak with suppliers, e.g. order clinical supplies from suppliers by telephone. (1)
  • Exchange information with clients, e.g. speak with clients about their physical, social, mental and emotional well-being and provide relevant evidence to facilitate informed choices. (2)
  • Explain complex medical information, e.g. explain complex medical information, such as diagnoses, in terms that clients can understand. (3)
  • Exchange information with other health practitioners, e.g. share information about clients' health, seek professional opinions and co-ordinate client care with physicians and other health professionals. (3)
  • May instruct clients and students, e.g. midwives may facilitate workshops on preparing for labour and delivery. (3)
  • Provide clear instructions and encouragement in a calm manner to women in labour. (3)
  • Provide detailed information in emergency situations, e.g. provide detailed information to emergency medical personnel when clients are in medical distress. (3)
Thinking Help - Thinking
  • Clients do not show up for appointments or cancel at the last minute. They reschedule appointments and use the time to catch up on administrative duties. They encourage clients to provide sufficient notice if they cannot keep appointments. (2)
  • Face time shortages when several clients require priority care at the same time. They set priorities for seeing clients according to their needs and arrange for back-up support from other midwives if required. (2)
  • Decide to accept new clients. They consider their availability and whether they have the energy and expertise to meet clients' needs. (2)
  • Locate information about the status of clients by speaking with them, reading charts and files and talking to other health care professionals. (2)
  • Encounter clients who experience unexpected health complications. They consult with physicians and specialists to develop appropriate health plans and refer clients to other health care providers as required. (3)
  • Determine which birthing approaches to use. They base their decision on the client's preferences, health factors and their comfort level with the approach. (3)
  • Make critical decisions to seek additional help and medical intervention in emergency situations. They follow protocols set out by organizations, such as the College of Midwives Ontario, to decide when to transfer the care of a client to a physician. (3)
  • Evaluate the health of clients. They consider factors, such as vital signs, feedback provided by clients and other health care professionals and the results of examinations. (3)
  • May juggle multiple clients with competing needs and must be prepared to respond to onset of labour and unexpected medical emergencies. They are available to clients 24 hours a day, often seven days a week. They maintain close contact with other midwives to co-ordinate duties and respond to clients' requests for support. Midwives who have hospital privileges co-ordinate with hospital support staff and other health practitioners to provide care and deliver babies. (3)
  • Consult textbooks, reference manuals, academic journals and publications to find specific information that will aid in assessment and delivery of client services. (3)
  • Assess health risks to clients. They consider changes to readings, such as vital signs and pain level indicators, over periods of time to assess the health of women in labour and their babies. (4)
Digital technology Help - Digital technology
  • May use spreadsheets to record numerical information, such as clients' vital signs. (1)
  • Operate hand-held personal digital devices, e.g. use smartphones to access and send texts, email messages and speak with colleagues and clients. (1)
  • Operate hand-held scanners to determine vital signs, such as body temperature, blood pressure and glucose level. (1)
  • May use electronic office equipment, such as printers, scanners, fax machines, copiers and postage meters. (1)
  • Use word processing programs to write and format short documents, such as referral letters, to physicians and reports for insurance companies. (2)
  • May use graphics software to design presentations to students and colleagues. (2)
  • May use spreadsheets to record income and expenses and to create client lists. (2)
  • May use databases to enter and retrieve information, e.g. may enter the names of clients, locations visited and the duration of visits into specialized health care administration databases. (2)
  • Use communication software, e.g. they exchange email and attachments with clients and other members of the health care team. (2)
  • Use the Internet to locate health-related information on medical websites. (2)
  • May use the Internet to access training courses and seminars offered by suppliers and trainers. (2)
  • May use the Internet to access blogs and web forums where they seek and offer advice. (2)
  • May use time management software to track the amount of time spent with clients. (2)
  • May use digital obstetric sonography equipment to measure the growth of fetuses and establish gestation periods and expected delivery dates. (2)
Additional information Help - Additional information Working with Others

Midwives often work in practice groups with other midwives which require the close coordination of schedules and tasks. They may supervise practicum students or act as mentors to practitioners who are new to the profession.

Continuous Learning

Midwives need to learn continuously to keep abreast of new research and information in medicine and allied health. Licensing and regulation vary considerably between occupations and provincial jurisdictions in Canada and continuous learning requirements follow suit. Most occupations have provincial and national professional associations that offer opportunities for professional development and learning. However, some midwives must travel abroad to develop their skills. For example, midwives must renew training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and neonatal resuscitation annually.

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