Midwives

Strong job outlook

Overview

Midwives

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Physician assistants

  • Conduct patient interviews, physical assessments and take medical histories

  • Perform or order diagnostic tests and interpret results

  • In consultation with a supervising physician, formulate and implement treatment plans and monitor patients' progress

  • Perform and assist in minor surgery

  • Provide health maintenance education

  • May participate in research activities

  • May prescribe from a limited list of medications.

  • Midwives

  • Provide primary, full-course, care to women and their babies during pregnancy, such as physical examinations, screening and diagnostic tests to monitor the health of mother and baby and make referrals to medical specialists as required

  • Manage labour and spontaneous normal deliveries

  • Care for, assess and monitor the health of newborns and refer infants to appropriate medical services as required

  • Provide advice and guidance regarding care for newborns and young infants.

  • Genetic counsellors

  • Provide information and support to families affected by or at risk of a genetic disorder

  • Gather and analyze family history and inheritance patterns, calculate risks of recurrence, and provide information about genetic testing and related procedures

  • Develop, implement or coordinate action plans and refer individuals and families to other health professionals

  • Design and conduct genetics training programs for other healthcare professionals or the general public

  • May conduct research in the field of medical genetics and genetic counselling.

  • Orthoptists

  • Work alongside ophthalmologists to diagnose and treat eye disorders by performing specialized eye tests to measure and assess defective binocular vision or abnormal eye movement in patients

  • Prescribe treatment such as eye exercises or patching regimens.

  • Pathologists' assistants

  • Prepare for autopsies by obtaining patients' medical records and arranging for radiographic examinations

  • Prepare, assist with or perform autopsies and surgical specimen examinations under pathologists' supervision

  • Assist with preparation of provisional autopsy report

  • Dissect, examine, weigh, photograph and X-ray organs and specimens, collect tissue samples for chemical analysis and record findings

  • Discard specimens according to established safety procedures

  • Clean and maintain instruments, equipment and supplies

  • Develop and maintain processes for laboratory quality control

  • May prepare bodies for release to funeral homes following completion of autopsies

  • May supervise and train junior resident pathologists and morgue attendants.

Job titles

  • chief orthoptist
  • clinical orthoptist
  • genetic counsellor
  • licensed midwife
  • midwife
  • orthoptist

Employment prospects

Source: BC Labour Market Outlook 2024 edition
The labour market information for this career is aggregate data for Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals

Annual salary

Low

$52,536

Median

$81,839

High

$100,046

Job openings

Use this interactive map to explore job openings in different regions across B.C.

Strong job outlook

British Columbia

66

expected job openings (5-year forecast)

Education and training

Employment requirements

  • Physician assistants

  • Physician assistants require completion of a university degree in a physician assistant program.

  • Physician assistants require registration with a regulatory body in Manitoba and New Brunswick.

Additional information

  • There is no mobility between these occupations without further training.

Certification requirements

Mandatory: You need the following certification to practice as Midwives in B.C.

  • BCCNM Registration - Midwife

BCCNM Registration - Midwife

Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification.

To practice as a midwife in B.C., you must register with the B.C. College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM). Eligibility is achieved by completing a midwifery program at a qualified B.C. institution.

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Post-secondary programs in B.C.

Explore programs related to this career offered at post-secondary institutions in B.C.

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