lactation
The physiology and function of the breast during lactation as appropriate for counselling the pregnant and postpartum woman.
Midwives assist women in childbirth by providing the necessary support, care and advice during pregnancy, labour and the postpartum period, conduct births and provide care for the new-born. They advise on health, preventive measures, preparation for parenthood, detection of complications in mother and child, accessing of medical care, promoting normal birth and carrying out emergency measures.
Competences and skills
88 ESCO relationsEssential knowledge 28 competences
Occupation specific
2 competencespostpartum legal protection
The legal aspects related to maternity coverage offered to mothers after childbirth.
Sector-specific
12 competencesanaesthetics
Anaesthetics is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
analgesics
The types of medication used to relief pain in various medical cases.
dietetics
The human nutrition and dietary modification for optimising health in clinical or other environments. The role of nutrition in promoting health and preventing illness across the life spectrum.
- Scope note
- Should not be confused with nutritionists who apply knowledge of nutrition in community, industrial and research environments.
embryology
The normal development of the embryo, the aetiology of developmental anomalies such as genetic aspects and organogenesis and the natural history of abnormalities diagnosed before birth.
microbiology-bacteriology
Microbiology-Bacteriology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
neonatology
The branch of paediatric medicine concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of the new-born.
obstetric ultrasonography
The various types of sonography and the information provided when applied to obstetrics such as dating and growth of the pregnancy and visualising the fetus in its mother womb.
postpartum period
The changes and possible problems that can occur in the six week period after birth.
pregnancy
The process related to conception and development of the fetus in the mother`s womb, the symptoms of pregnancy, risks and complications, diseases and timing of childbirth.
preparation for child delivery
The procedures to follow for delivering babies and the needed technical equipment in obstetrics.
preparation for parenthood
The changes, such as the psychological aspects, affecting the parents after childbirth.
radiological procedures
The radiological procedures with digital imaging and other imaging techniques.
Cross-sector
14 competenceschildbirth
The process of delivering a baby, the symptoms and signs of labour, the expulsion of the baby and all the related steps and procedures, including the ones related to complications and pre-mature birth.
epidemiology
The branch of medicine that deals with the incidence, distribution and control of diseases. The disease aetiology, transmission, outbreak investigation, and comparisons of treatment effects.
female reproductive system pathology
The diseases of the female reproductive system, such as ovary, vulva and vaginal cancers, pelvic inflammatory disease, ovarian cysts and diseases of the placenta.
health care legislation
The patients` rights and responsibilities of health practitioners and the possible repercussions and prosecutions in relation to medical treatment negligence or malpractice.
health care occupation-specific ethics
The moral standards and procedures, ethical questions and obligations specific to occupations in a health care setting such as respect for human dignity, self-determination, informed consent and patient confidentiality.
health education
The factors affecting health and of the educational approach to assisting people to make healthy life choices.
human anatomy
The dynamic relationship of human structure and function and the muscosceletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, endocrine, urinary, reproductive, integumentary and nervous systems; normal and altered anatomy and physiology throughout the human lifespan.
hygiene in a health care setting
The procedures related to maintaining a hygienic environment within a health care setting such as hospitals and clinics. It can range from hand washing to cleaning and disinfection of medical equipment used and infection control methods.
pathology
The components of a disease, the cause, mechanisms of development, morphologic changes, and the clinical consequences of those changes.
- Scope note
- Excludes .
pharmacology
Pharmacology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
psychology
The human behaviour and performance with individual differences in ability, personality, interests, learning, and motivation.
relaxation techniques
The various methods and techniques used to alleviate stress and bring peace and relaxation to the body and mind. This includes activities such as yoga, qigong or t`ai chi.
resuscitation
The emergency procedure applied to individuals with no pulse to restore them to consciousness.
sex education
Programs targeting human sexual reproduction, emotional relations between sexual partners, birth control and human sexuality in general.
Essential skills and competences 45 competences
Occupation specific
7 competencescarry out treatment prescribed by doctors
Ensure the treatment prescribed by the doctor is being followed by the patient and answer any related questions.
conduct spontaneous child deliveries
Carry out spontaneous child delivery, managing the stress related to the event and all the risks and complications that may arise, performing operations such as episiotomies and breech deliveries, where required.
provide care for the mother during labour
Actively manage women in labour, prescribing and administer pain relief medication as needed and providing emotional support and comfort for the mother.
provide information on the effects of childbirth on sexuality
Provide information to the mother or her family on the effects of childbirth on sexual behaviour.
provide pregnancy termination care
Strive to accommodate the physical and psychological needs of a woman undergoing an abortion.
support informed consent
Make sure patients and their families are fully informed about the risks and benefits of proposed treatments or procedures so they can give informed consent, engaging patients and their families in the process of their care and treatment.
take emergency measures in pregnancy
Perform the manual removal of placenta, and the manual examination of the uterus in emergency cases, when the doctor is not present.
Sector-specific
22 competencesaccept own accountability
Accept accountability for one`s own professional activities and recognise the limits of one`s own scope of practice and competencies.
advise on childbirth
Provide information to the mother-to-be related to the childbirth procedures in order to be prepared and know what to expect.
advise on family planning
Provide advice on the use of birth control and methods of contraception available, on sexual education, prevention and management of sexually transmitted diseases, pre-conception counselling and fertility management.
advise on pregnancies at risk
Identify and provide advice on the early signs of risk pregnancies.
advise on pregnancy
Counsel patients on normal changes occurring in pregnancy, providing advice on nutrition, drug effects and other lifestyle changes.
apply context specific clinical competences
Apply professional and evidence based assessment, goal setting, delivery of intervention and evaluation of clients, taking into account the developmental and contextual history of the clients, within one`s own scope of practice.
assess the course of breast-feeding period
Evaluate and monitor the breast-feeding activity of a mother to her newly born child.
assist on pregnancy abnormality
Support the mother in case of abnormality signs during the pregnancy period and call the doctor in emergency cases.
care for the new-born infant
Take care of the newly born baby by performing actions such as feeding him/her at regular hours, checking his/her vital signs and changing diapers.
collect biological samples from patients
Follow recommended processes to collect bodily fluids or samples from patients for further laboratory testing, assisting the patient as required.
comply with quality standards related to healthcare practice
Apply quality standards related to risk management, safety procedures, patients feedback, screening and medical devices in daily practice, as they are recognized by the national professional associations and authorities.
contribute to continuity of health care
Contribute to the delivery of coordinated and continuous healthcare.
ensure safety of healthcare users
Make sure that healthcare users are being treated professionally, effectively and safe from harm, adapting techniques and procedures according to the person's needs, abilities or the prevailing conditions.
examine the new-born infant
Perform a neonatal examination to identify any danger signs, to assess the normal adaptations of a newborn after birth and to identify birth defects or birth trauma.
monitor pregnancy
Carry out the examinations necessary for the monitoring of normal pregnancy.
prescribe medication
Prescribe medications, when indicated, for therapeutic effectiveness, appropriate to the client`s needs and in accordance with evidence-based practice, national and practice protocols and within scope of practice.
provide education on family life
Provide culturally sensitive health education and services, focusing on women, family and community and promoting healthy family life, and pregnancy planning.
provide postnatal care
Provide care to the mother and the new-born child following birth, ensuring that the new-born and the mother are healthy and that the mother is capable of taking care of her new-born.
provide pre-natal care
Monitor the normal progression of pregnancy and development of foetus by prescribing regular check-ups for prevention, detection and treatment of health problems throughout the course of the pregnancy.
provide treatment strategies for challenges to human health
Identify possible treatment protocols for the challenges to human health within a given community in cases such as infectious diseases of high consequences at the global level.
use e-health and mobile health technologies
Use mobile health technologies and e-health (online applications and services) in order to enhance the provided healthcare.
digital
work in multidisciplinary health teams
Participate in the delivery of multidisciplinary health care, and understand the rules and competences of other healthcare related professions.
Cross-sector
16 competencesaddress problems critically
Identify the strengths and weaknesses of various abstract, rational concepts, such as issues, opinions, and approaches related to a specific problematic situation in order to formulate solutions and alternative methods of tackling the situation.
adhere to organisational guidelines
Adhere to organisational or department specific standards and guidelines. Understand the motives of the organisation and the common agreements and act accordingly.
apply organisational techniques
Employ a set of organisational techniques and procedures which facilitate the achievement of the set goals set such as detailed planning of personnel's schedules. Use these resources efficiently and sustainably, and show flexibility when required.
comply with legislation related to health care
Comply with the regional and national health legislation which regulates relations between suppliers, payers, vendors of the healthcare industry and patients, and the delivery of healthcare services.
deal with emergency care situations
Assess the signs and be well-prepared for a situation that poses an immediate threat to a person's health, security, property or environment.
develop a collaborative therapeutic relationship
Develop a mutually collaborative therapeutic relationship during treatment, fostering and gaining healthcare users' trust and cooperation.
educate on the prevention of illness
Offer evidence-based advice on how to avoid ill health, educate and advise individuals and their carers on how to prevent ill health and/or be able to advise how to improve their environment and health conditions. Provide advice on the identification of risks leading to ill health and help to increase the patients' resilience by targeting prevention and early intervention strategies.
empathise with the woman's family during and after pregnancy
Demonstrate empathy with women and their families during pregancy, childbirth labour and in the post partum period.
follow clinical guidelines
Follow agreed protocols and guidelines in support of healthcare practice which are provided by healthcare institutions, professional associations, or authorities and also scientific organisations.
inform policy makers on health-related challenges
Provide useful information related to health care professions to ensure policy decisions are made in the benefit of communities.
listen actively
Give attention to what other people say, patiently understand points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times; able to listen carefully the needs of customers, clients, passengers, service users or others, and provide solutions accordingly.
manage healthcare users' data
Keep accurate client records which also satisfy legal and professional standards and ethical obligations in order to facilitate client management, ensuring that all clients' data (including verbal, written and electronic) are treated confidentially.
promote inclusion
Promote and respect diversity, and advocate for equal treatment of genders, ethnicities and minority groups in organisations in order to prevent discrimination and ensure inclusion and a positive environment.
provide health education
Provide evidence based strategies to promote healthy living, disease prevention and management.
respond to changing situations in health care
Cope with pressure and respond appropriately and in time to unexpected and rapidly changing situations in healthcare.
work in a multicultural environment in health care
Interact, relate and communicate with individuals from a variety of different cultures, when working in a healthcare environment.
Optional knowledge 7 competences
Occupation specific
1 competenceyoga
The practice and principles of yoga, used as physical techniques to relax the body and mind.
Sector-specific
3 competencescompany policies
The set of rules that govern the activity of a company.
phytotherapy
The characteristics, the effects and the use of herbal medicines.
surgery
The essential procedures in surgical practice such as the principle of safe surgery, the pathophysiology of wound healing, knot tying, tissue handling, retraction and any other instruments and procedures used in the operating room.
- Scope note
- Excludes .
Cross-sector
3 competenceshomeopathy
The alternative medicine whereby pills or liquid mixtures containing only a little of an active ingredient (usually a plant or mineral) can treat a disease.
pedagogy
The discipline that concerns the theory and practice of education including the various instructional methods for educating individuals or groups.
sociology
The group behaviour and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
Optional skills and competences 8 competences
Occupation specific
2 competencesconduct research on reproductive medicine
Research and analyse human reproduction and development biology topics, with a focus on maternal and fetal medicine, gynecologic oncology, reproductive endocrinology and infertility.
perform antepartum fetal monitoring
Perform and interpret antepartum diagnostic tests such as non-stress, contraction stress test, and doppler velocimetry.
Sector-specific
3 competencesaddress side effects of menopause
Address side effects of menopause such as fatigue, body temperature changes, mood swings, depression and weight gain. Search for symptoms of health problems that can be caused by menopause, such as heart disease, vision issues and osteoporosis.
apply acupuncture
Use procedures involving the stimulation of anatomical points on the body by a variety of techniques, such as penetrating the skin with thin, metallic needles manipulated by the hands or by electrical stimulation in order to relieve pain or achieve other therapeutic benefits.
use obstetric sonography
Apply medical ultrasonography to obstetrics to show the foetus in the mother`s womb.
Cross-sector
3 competencesuse different communication channels
Make use of various types of communication channels such as verbal, handwritten, digital and telephonic communication with the purpose of constructing and sharing ideas or information.
use foreign languages for health-related research
Use foreign languages for conducting and collaborating in health-related research.
use foreign languages in patient care
Communicate in foreign languages with healthcare users, their carers, or services providers. Use foreign languages to faciliate patient care according to the needs of the patient.