Unit rationale, description and aim
This unit provides opportunities for students to integrate theoretical and practical knowledge in simulation laboratories and experience the second of six units which include supervised clinical practice. Foundation midwifery practice skills will be developed and extended through scenario based learning in the laboratory. Additionally, students will continue to participate in and learn from the Continuity of Care Experience (CCE). This unit is required by students to assist them to develop knowledge and skills regarding a woman-centred approach to care in midwifery. The aim of this Clinical Midwifery Practice unit is to provide the foundations on which clinical assessments are based, build on earlier learning about the anatomy and the physiological processes of childbearing, and model the way in which students will contextualize their theoretical knowledge through clinical practice.
We recognise that people who access maternity care may have diverse gender identities, that those who do can experience marginalisation and oppression, and that using appropriate terminology can help with these community members’ recognition and visibility, acknowledge the variety of pregnancy and birth experiences people may have, and respect individuals’ preferences. To reflect this, terms such as ‘pregnant person’, ‘birthing person’, ‘childbearing people’, ‘parent’ and ‘chestfeeding’ may be used in the midwifery courses at ACU in addition to ‘woman’, ‘mother’, ‘maternity’, ‘maternal’ and ‘breastfeeding’, which are used not to exclude those who do not identify as a woman, but in recognition that women continue to be marginalised and oppressed in many places around the world and to respect their own individual preferences.
Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
Relate legal and ethical frameworks, policies and ...
Learning Outcome 01
Apply knowledge of underlying anatomy and physiolo...
Learning Outcome 02
Apply a woman-centred approach and effective commu...
Learning Outcome 03
Demonstrate collaborative practice skills within t...
Learning Outcome 04
Demonstrate reflective learning within a professio...
Learning Outcome 05
Content
Topics will include:
Legal and professional practice
- Scope of practice
- Informed consent
- Documentation and use of health informatics and health technology
- Medication knowledge and administration
- Med+Safe medication calculations
- 'Assertive communication skills
Midwifery knowledge and practice
- Assessment
- Revise interviewing and history taking techniques
- Review abdominal examination
- Ongoing woman and foetal wellbeing assessment
- Introduction to early labour care
- Introduction to postnatal assessment of mother and baby
- Infection prevention skills
- Insertion of indwelling catheter
- Removal of indwelling catheter
- Aseptic technique
- Setting-up for procedures
- Gowning and gloving
- Personal protective equipment
- Disposal of clinical waste
- Labour and birth care
- Care of the woman and her unborn baby
- Supporting a woman and her birth companion in early labour
- Non-pharmacological therapies
- Postnatal care
- Assessment and care of the well mother and baby
- Assisting with infant feeding
- Postnatal hygiene for the mother and baby
- Medication administration
- Oral medications
- IM, SC and IV medication administration
- Inhalation
- Fluid balance
- Drug calculations
- Procedures
- Venepuncture
- Neonatal screening
- Removal of IV canulae
Midwifery as primary health care
- Health education
- Referral to community support networks
- Cultural safety
Reflective and ethical practice
- Maintaining professional portfolio
- Reflective practice
- Identifying and responding to own and others’ learning needs
- Self-care
- Evidence-based practice
Assessment strategy and rationale
A range of assessment procedures consistent with University assessment requirements will be used to meet the unit learning outcomes and develop graduate attributes.
The on-campus assessment will provide an opportunity for students to demonstrate developed skills in the safety of a simulated experience. Development of a professional midwifery portfolio will allow the students to showcase their learning experiences (clinical and Continuity of Care Experience [CCE]) in a professional manner ensuring that documentation meets the professional legal requirements for practice experiences. Students must achieve a pass grade in both assessments to pass this unit.
These assessments are required to build student knowledge and skills which, by the conclusion of this program, will enable the student to graduate as a safe and effective midwife.
In order to pass this unit, students are required to
- attend 100% of laboratory sessions
- complete the medication quiz
- submit all required placement documentation by the due date, 5 days after the completion of clinical placement.
The assessment tasks for this unit are designed for students to demonstrate their achievement of each learning outcome.
Mandatory Documentation for Clinical Placement
To ascertain what mandatory documentation is required, please consult the Work Integrated Learning (WIL) website to assess pre-placement requirements
Mandatory documentation should then be uploaded to the student InPlace record by the required due date. This is to meet ACU and Health Care Facility requirements. Submission instructions and the due date for midwifery requirements can also be found on the above link.
If students are unable to meet the requirements of the unit, they are advised to consider applying for “Re- credit of Student Learning Entitlement (SLE) and Refund of Fees in Special Circumstances”
Overview of assessments
Assessment Task 1 - On-campus Competency Assessm...
Assessment Task 1 - On-campus Competency Assessments
Enables students to demonstrate competency in professional behaviour, communication skills and safe and effective implementation of midwifery skills and knowledge.
Pass/Fail
Assessment Task 2 - Professional Midwifery ...
Assessment Task 2 - Professional Midwifery Portfolio
Enables students to showcase their clinical experiences in a professional manner, inclusive of the Continuity of Care Experience, ensuring that documentation meets the professional and legal requirements for practice.
Pass/Fail
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
This unit fosters student-centred active learning and accommodates diverse student needs. It includes a combination of self-paced, online learning and real-time classes. Early and additional feedback on learning, and tailored support, are provided to facilitate students’ transition to university. Modes of delivery in this unit include group learning activities such as skill demonstrations, simulated practice, online classroom, supervised clinical practice, participation in the Continuity of Care Experience (CCE) and self-directed study.
Consistent with adult learning principles, the teaching and learning strategies used within these modes of delivery will provide students with foundational knowledge and skills relevant to professional midwifery practice. These strategies will also support students in meeting the aim, learning outcomes and graduate attributes of the unit and the broader course learning outcomes. Learning and teaching strategies will reflect respect for the individual as an independent learner and include hands-on methods and other Aboriginal ways of learning. Students will be expected to take responsibility for their learning and to participate actively with peers. Scenario-based learning, case-based learning, problem-based learning and inquiry-based learning are all used to support the development of students' independent learning ability.
Feedback and effective self-reflection are required to identify what is being done well, what requires additional work and to identify progress toward required learning outcomes. Located in the first year of the programme, this clinical unit assists students to link theory with its application and to build life-long learning skills.
Group learning activities are utilised to convey content and central principles while laboratories and simulation deliver interactive learning sessions which assist students to apply theory to clinical practice and build self-reflection skills. The supervised clinical practicum of 80 hours provides a safe environment where students can provide assisted woman-centred care essential for successful graduate practice.
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia Midwife Standards for Practice
In connection to the learning outcomes, these Midwife standards for practice provide a framework for midwifery practice in all contexts. They also inform women, and others including consumers, those who regulate, educate, collaborate with and manage midwives on what to expect from a midwife’s practice.
Relating to
Promotes health and wellbeing through evidence-based midwifery practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3
Relating to
Identifies what is important to women as the foundation for using evidence to promote informed decision-making, participation in care, and self-determination
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3
Relating to
Accesses, analyses, and uses the best available evidence, that includes research findings, for safe, quality midwifery practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3
Relating to
Uses health assessment and health education to support birth and reproductive health, and minimise the potential for complications
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3
Relating to
Supports access to maternity care for the woman
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3
Relating to
Supports the development, implementation and evaluation of evidenced-based health initiatives and programs, and
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3
Relating to
Engages in professional relationships and respectful partnerships
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3, LO4
Relating to
Supports the choices of the woman, with respect for families and communities in relation to maternity care
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3, LO4
Relating to
Partners with women to strengthen women’s capabilities and confidence to care for themselves and their families
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3, LO4
Relating to
Practises ethically, with respect for dignity, privacy, confidentiality, equity and justice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3, LO4
Relating to
Develops, maintains and concludes professional relationships in a way that differentiates the boundaries between professional and personal relationships, and
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3, LO4
Relating to
Participates in and/or leads collaborative practice.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3, LO4
Relating to
Demonstrates the capability and accountability for midwifery practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO4, LO5
Relating to
Understands their scope of practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO4, LO5
Relating to
Practises within relevant legal parameters and professional standards, codes and guidelines
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO4, LO5
Relating to
Engages in timely consultation, referral and documentation
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO4, LO5
Relating to
Considers and responds in a timely manner to the health and wellbeing of self and others in relation to the capability for practice.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO4, LO5
Relating to
Undertakes comprehensive assessments
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO3
Relating to
Works in partnership to determine factors that affect, or potentially affect, the health and wellbeing of women, communities and populations
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO3
Relating to
Uses assessment techniques to systematically collect relevant and accurate information
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO3
Relating to
Analyses information and data and communicates assessments and anticipated outcomes as the basis for midwifery practice, and
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO3
Relating to
Assesses the resources that are available to inform planning.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO3
Relating to
Develops a plan for midwifery practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO3, LO4
Relating to
Interprets assessment data and best available evidence to develop a plan for practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO3, LO4
Relating to
Collaboratively develops plans until options, priorities, goals, actions, anticipated outcomes and timeframes are agreed with the woman, and/or relevant others
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO3, LO4
Relating to
Provides safety and quality in midwifery practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3, LO4, LO5
Relating to
Practises to achieve the agreed goals and anticipated outcomes that meet the needs of the woman
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3, LO4, LO5
Relating to
Is responsible for consultation and referral and/or escalation in situations that are outside the individual’s scope of practice, and
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3, LO4, LO5
Relating to
Provides and accepts effective and timely direction, allocation, delegation, teaching and supervision
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3, LO4, LO5
Relating to
Evaluates outcomes to improve midwifery practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO5
Relating to
Evaluates and monitors progress towards planned goals and anticipated outcomes
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO5
Relating to
Revises plan and actions based on evidence and what is learned from evaluation
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO5
Relating to
Uses evaluation and reflection to inform future practice and professional development
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO5