Circular No. 12/2011/TT-BYT stipulates the professional standards for midwife positions.

CIRCULAR

Regulations on professional standards for midwife grades

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Pursuant to Decree No. 178/2007/ND-CP dated December 3, 2007 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of Ministries and ministerial-level agencies;

Pursuant to Decree No. 188/2007/ND-CP dated December 27, 2007 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Health;

Pursuant to Decree No. 116/2003/ND-CP dated October 10, 2003 of the Government on recruitment, utilization, and management of cadres and civil servants in state-owned units; and Decree No. 121/2006/ND-CP dated October 23, 2006 of the Government amending certain Articles of Decree No. 116/2003/ND-CP dated October 10, 2003 of the Government on recruitment, utilization, and management of cadres and civil servants in state-owned units;

Pursuant to Circular No. 06/2011/TT-BNV dated March 1, 2011 of the Ministry of Home Affairs promulgating job titles and code numbers for midwife grades;

After receiving the appraisal opinion of the Ministry of Home Affairs in Circular No. 575/BNV-CCVC dated March 1, 2011, the Ministry of Health hereby stipulates the professional standards for midwife grades as follows:

Article 1. Scope of Regulation and Applicability

Article 1. This Circular stipulates the professional standards for midwife grades including: Senior Midwife, Midwife, College-Level Midwife, Intermediate-Level Midwife, and Basic-Level Midwife.

Article 2. The professional standards for midwife grades serve as the basis for implementing recruitment, utilization, and management of midwives working in state-owned healthcare units.

Clause 2. Professional Standards for the Senior Midwife Grade

1. Responsibilities

A Senior Midwife is the highest technical professional in the field of midwifery; responsible for leading, guiding, supervising, inspecting, and organizing the implementation of complex and advanced techniques in obstetrics and neonatology at healthcare facilities.

2. Tasks

Point a) Lead and organize the development of plans for caring for and serving pregnant women, newborns, and patients to ensure safety and quality according to professional regulations.

Point b) Perform complex and advanced techniques within the specialty; organize the application of new techniques in professional activities.

Point c) Inspect the monitoring and evaluation of pregnant women, newborns, and patients comprehensively, promptly identify and handle severe cases and emergencies, and report unusual developments to treating doctors or responsible persons.

Point d) Plan the management, use, preservation, and replenishment of equipment and supplies, chemicals, reagents, and medications for the unit or department.

Point đ) Direct, inspect, and supervise the implementation of infection control measures, ensure safety in professional work, and properly manage and store records according to regulations.

Point e) Organize and direct the implementation of primary healthcare programs within the specialty.

Point g) Organize and implement guidance and training in the field of maternal and child care and reproductive health for students and midwives in lower grades.

Point h) Develop plans, inspect, supervise, and organize counseling and education on health for patients, their families, and the community.

Point i) Implement other relevant laws related to the field of healthcare.

Clause 3. Competency Standards

Point a) Possess knowledge on pre-natal, intra-natal, post-natal care, and newborn care; have skills to perform complex midwifery techniques, be proactive and creative in solving problems within the specialty, and have the ability to lead and work in teams.

Point b) Employ scientific methods of work, update new knowledge and techniques, and propose solutions to ensure the quality of specialized techniques.

Point c) Use medications appropriately, safely, and in accordance with regulations.

Point d) Explain principles and apply family planning methods suitable for different service recipients.

Point đ) Carry out and organize the midwife team to fulfill the responsibilities and tasks of healthcare professionals in the field of midwifery.

Point e) Have the ability to train and conduct scientific research.

Clause 4. Qualification Standards

Point a) Hold a postgraduate degree in midwifery.

Point b) Have at least nine years of experience in the midwife grade.

Point c) Know a commonly used foreign language at level C for professional purposes.

Point d) Proficiently use computers and information technology applications to support professional work.

Point đ) Lead or participate in a scientific research project recognized and effectively applied by a scientific council at the facility level or higher.

Article 3. Professional Standards for the Midwife Rank

1. Responsibilities

A midwife is a technical professional staff member in the healthcare sector, performing complex techniques in obstetrics and neonatology at healthcare facilities.

2. Tasks

a) Organize reception and guide pregnant women and patients to consult and receive treatment.

b) Plan and timely prepare sufficient and appropriate medical equipment, tools, medications, and patient records to serve consultation, emergency care, and treatment activities.

c) Develop comprehensive care plans for pregnant women, newborns, and patients, and organize their implementation in accordance with regulations.

d) Execute complex techniques within the specialty under doctors' orders or assignments from supervisors.

đ) Continuously monitor, evaluate comprehensively, record daily developments of pregnant women, newborns, and patients, especially critical cases and emergencies; identify initial responses and promptly report unusual developments to treating doctors or supervisors.

e) Supervise and ensure compliance with statistical reporting procedures and proper storage of relevant documents.

g) Manage, utilize, and maintain assigned machinery and equipment; detect malfunctions and propose timely solutions; be personally responsible for assigned medications and assets.

h) Organize and implement primary health care programs within the specialty.

i) Participate in supervising lower ranks, scientific research, training, and practical guidance on maternal and child health, reproductive health for students and lower-ranked midwives; regularly update knowledge and new techniques in the specialty field.

k) Implement other legal provisions related to the protection and care of maternal and neonatal health and reproductive health.

l) Plan and organize health education and counseling, urging patients, their families, and communities to maintain order and environmental hygiene.

3. Competency Standards

a) Proficiently perform prenatal examination techniques, pregnancy management, normal delivery assistance, neonatal care, complex specialty techniques, adolescent reproductive health care, elderly and male reproductive health care, prevention of reproductive tract infections and sexually transmitted infections, voluntary HIV testing counseling for pregnant women, and prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission counseling.

b) Operate, maintain, and service some modern machines and equipment within the specialty.

Point c) Use medications appropriately, safely, and in accordance with regulations.

d) Advise and guide service recipients to choose and use appropriate family planning methods.

e) Perform and organize the midwifery team to fulfill the responsibilities and duties of healthcare professionals in the midwifery field at the midwife rank and lower ranks.

4. Qualification Standards

a) Graduated from a bachelor's degree in midwifery.

b) Know a commonly used foreign language at level B for professional activities.

c) Skillfully use computers and relevant software applications to support professional work.

Article 4. Professional Standards for the Associate Degree Midwife Rank

1. Responsibilities

An associate degree midwife is a technical professional staff member in the healthcare sector, performing basic techniques and some complex techniques in obstetrics and neonatology at healthcare facilities.

2. Tasks

a) Organize reception and guide pregnant women and patients to consult and receive treatment.

b) Timely prepare sufficient and appropriate medical equipment, tools, medications, and patient records to serve consultation, emergency care, and treatment activities.

c) Develop comprehensive care plans for pregnant women, newborns, and patients, and organize their implementation in accordance with regulations.

d) Execute basic techniques within the specialty, assist in executing some complex techniques under doctors' orders or assignments from senior midwives.

đ) Continuously monitor, evaluate comprehensively, record daily developments of pregnant women, newborns, and patients, especially critical cases and emergencies; identify and promptly report unusual developments to treating doctors or senior midwives.

e) Utilize, maintain, and clean assigned machinery and equipment; detect malfunctions and propose timely solutions; be personally responsible for assigned medications and assets.

g) Organize and implement health education and counseling, urge patients, their families, and communities to maintain order and environmental hygiene.

h) Implement primary health care programs within the specialty.

i) Participate in scientific research, training, and practical guidance on midwifery techniques for students and lower-ranked midwives.

k) Implement other legal provisions related to the protection and care of maternal and neonatal health and reproductive health.

3. Competency Standards

a) Proficiently perform prenatal examination techniques, pregnancy management, normal delivery assistance, neonatal care, some complex specialty techniques, adolescent reproductive health care, elderly and male reproductive health care, prevention of reproductive tract infections and sexually transmitted infections, voluntary HIV testing counseling for pregnant women, and prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission counseling.

b) Operate and maintain some basic machines and equipment within the specialty.

Point c) Use medications appropriately, safely, and in accordance with regulations.

d) Advise and guide service recipients to choose and use appropriate family planning methods.

e) Fulfill the responsibilities and duties of healthcare professionals in the midwifery field at the associate degree rank and lower ranks.

4. Qualification Standards

a) Graduated from an associate degree in midwifery.

b) Know a commonly used foreign language at level B for professional activities.

c) Skillfully use computers and relevant software applications to support professional work.

Article 5. Professional Standards for Midwives with a Secondary Education Level

1. Responsibilities

Midwives with a secondary education level are technical professionals in the healthcare sector, performing common specialized techniques in obstetrics and neonatology at healthcare facilities and in the community.

2. Tasks

a) Welcoming and guiding pregnant women and patients to consult and receive treatment.

b) Preparing sufficient, accurate, and timely medical equipment, tools, medications, and patient records to serve consultation, emergency care, and treatment activities.

c) Performing routine procedures and techniques in obstetrics and neonatal care, family planning services. Providing advice and implementing routine techniques for adolescent reproductive health care, elderly health care, male health care, prevention of reproductive tract infections and sexually transmitted infections; advising on preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV for pregnant women.

d) Planning and managing pregnancy, providing comprehensive care for pregnant women, newborns, and patients, and organizing the implementation plan according to assigned tasks.

đ) Monitoring and recording daily developments of pregnant women, newborns, and patients, especially critical cases and emergencies; promptly identifying and reporting unusual developments to responsible doctors or midwives.

e) Using, maintaining, and cleaning assigned machinery and equipment; identifying malfunctions and proposing timely solutions. Being personally responsible for the quantity of medications and assets under management.

g) Conducting health education counseling, urging, and reminding patients and their families to maintain order and environmental hygiene.

h) Implement primary health care programs within the specialty.

i) Participating in instructing trainees and primary-level midwives in routine midwifery techniques.

k) Implementing other relevant laws related to the midwifery field.

Clause 3. Competency Standards

a) Mastering and skillfully applying techniques for prenatal examination, pregnancy management, normal delivery, and postpartum care.

b) Using medications appropriately, safely, and in accordance with regulations.

c) Advising service recipients on selecting appropriate family planning methods.

d) Fulfilling the responsibilities and duties of midwifery professionals at both the secondary and primary levels.

Clause 4. Qualification Standards

a) Graduating from a secondary midwifery program.

b) Knowing a commonly used foreign language at level A in professional activities.

c) Skillfully use computers and relevant software applications to support professional work.

Article 6. Professional Standards for Primary-Level Midwives

1. Responsibilities

Primary-level midwives are technical professionals in the healthcare sector, assisting and caring for pregnant women and newborns at healthcare facilities and in the community.

2. Tasks

a) Welcoming and guiding pregnant women and patients when assigned.

b) Participating and preparing tools as required by the profession.

c) Assisting or directly performing some routine techniques in the assigned specialty, directly assisting in normal deliveries when there are no higher-level professionals present at the primary healthcare level; providing advice and implementing routine techniques for adolescent reproductive health care, elderly health care, male health care, prevention of reproductive tract infections and sexually transmitted infections; advising on preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV for pregnant women.

d) Storing medications and medical supplies when assigned; being personally responsible for the quantity of medications and assets under management.

đ) Participating in health education, urging, and reminding patients and their families to maintain order and environmental hygiene.

e) Promoting initial healthcare programs within the specialty.

g) Implementing other relevant laws related to the midwifery field.

Clause 3. Competency Standards

a) Understanding basic technical procedures for prenatal examination, pregnancy management, normal delivery, out-of-hospital delivery assistance, routine care, monitoring pregnant women and newborns at healthcare facilities and in the community, and initial healthcare programs within the specialty.

b) Understanding regulations for the rational and safe use of medications.

c) Fulfilling the responsibilities and duties of midwifery professionals at the primary level.

Clause 4. Qualification Standards

Graduating from a primary midwifery program.

Article 7. Implementation Provisions

1. This Circular takes effect from May 1, 2011.

2. The Minister, heads of ministries equivalent to ministries, heads of government agencies; People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities shall be responsible for implementing this Circular.

During implementation, if any issues arise or difficulties occur, please report to the Ministry of Health for consideration and resolution./.