A large number of people have over the years considered getting into the midwifery profession. This career option has gained more popularity compared to past years when it was not highly regarded due to negative misconceptions. The key roles of midwives is to offer prenatal and postnatal care for pregnant women and also assist in childbirth. If you want to become a Portland midwife, it is crucial to understand some crucial details.

There are many medical training institutions that offer midwifery courses especially colleges and universities. Individuals can either opt to do certification courses that take six months, associates for two years or the full term course for a Bachelors degree. The education qualifications you have highly influence the choice of program picked. Nurses who would wish to train in midwifery or new students choosing this career should be well informed.

The first step is enrolling in a midwifery course in a reputable training institution. There are many schools that offer this course. Some of them are offering online programs that benefit those who have tight schedules so as to study at their own pace. The most important thing to keep in mind before enrolling for any courses, is ensuring that the school you choose is accredited to offer training by the professional regulating board.

Clinical training is the next step that you have to undergo. There are specific clinical training hours that have to be carried out for exposure. This is the most critical part of the training course. Students undergo strict training to ensure that they fully understand every detail of the program. You get to gain a lot of knowledge and skills on how to effectively carry out various tasks and procedures. For those who take online courses, attending a local health care center is part of the training.

Once you have successfully completed the midwifery course, you have to pass the certification and license exams. Qualification exams have to be passed before you are granted the legal opportunity to practice your profession. The certification exams are usually offered in computer based formats at your training school or various testing centers accredited by the American Midwifery Certification Board.

After getting certified, you have to maintain a professional working status every three years. Re-certification exams also have to be done every five years. Certain guidelines have to be understood before taking exams. It is also important to stay prepared both financially and academically for the exams. The average cost of exams is $500.

Although most midwifery skills can be acquired through the training course, a few qualities are important so as to effectively offer services. Students must have good communication skills, know how to interact socially, be polite, respectful and other positive attributes. A detailed course syllabus is provided to students outlining how best to handle emotional needs of patients.

After getting certified as a professional Portland midwife, you can choose among various career paths available. There are many options available such as working in hospitals, birth centers and health departments. You can also offer actual services or consultations on independent childbirth, pregnancy care, hospital associated practice and others. The profession is rewarding in terms of payment and shows tremendous opportunity for more growth.