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Course Outline

MID705 Integration into the Midwifery Profession

Course Coordinator:Anna Robins (arobins@usc.edu.au) School:School of Health - Midwifery

2026Session 8

UniSC Sunshine Coast

 Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

Please go to usc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

In this course you will develop knowledge and skills to enable you to work to the full scope of practice of the midwife. You will be provided with a comprehensive and final preparation for transition to practice as a competent beginning midwife. Experienced practitioners provide support and supervision. You will critically self-appraise and reflect on your practice. Clinical skills essential for caring for women will be consolidated prior to undertaking clinical experience in a variety of maternity settings (240 hours) and finalisation of continuity of care experiences (CONNECT).

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Laboratory 1 – On campus laboratory workshop 28hrs Week 1 Once Only
Placement – Clinical placement. 240hrs Week 2 Once Only
Learning materials – Online asynchronous learning and teaching materials and options for lecturer and peer to peer collaborations, and lecturer and peer zoom drop ins. 5hrs Week 1 3 times

Course Topics

  • Promotion of normal birth.
  • Detection of severe maternal and neonatal complications.
  • Preventative and emergency measures for the deteriorating woman or infant.
  • Pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapeutic approaches.
  • Legal, regulatory, professional frameworks and ethical issues in midwifery.

Mature Content

Adult themes

What level is this course?

700 Level (Specialised)

Demonstrating a specialised body of knowledge and set of skills for professional practice or further learning. Advanced application of knowledge and skills in unfamiliar contexts.

What is the unit value of this course?

24 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Mapping Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming... Professional Standard Mapping * Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia
1 Critically review your knowledge and work to the international definition of a midwife (ICM 2023). Empowered
Sustainability-focussed 
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
2 Critically analyse and reflect upon personal, cultural, social, and feminist influences of your professional identity as a new midwife. Creative and critical thinker 
1.4, 3.1, 3.4, 5.1, 7.3
3 Utilise the Australian College of Midwives 'National Midwifery Guidelines for Consultation and Referral' and digital health and emerging technologies to guide the management of women requiring highly complex care. Knowledgeable 
3.1, 3.5, 7.3
4 Demonstrate autonomy, well-developed judgement, of knowledge adaptability and responsibility when working to the international definition of a midwife (ICM 2023) and completing the ANMAC Midwifery Professional Experience (MPE) requirements and hours for the course. Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker
Empowered
Ethical
Engaged
Sustainability-focussed 
6, 7
5 Apply principles and practice of academic writing, referencing and research. Knowledgeable
Ethical 
1.2, 1.4, 1.6, 3.3, 4, 6, 7.3

* Competencies by Professional Body

CODE COMPETENCY
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia
1 Standard 1: Promotes health and wellbeing through evidence-based midwifery practice
1.2 The midwife accesses, analyses, and uses the best available evidence, that includes research findings, for safe, quality midwifery practice
1.4 The midwife undertakes ongoing processes of reflection to ensure professional judgements acknowledge how personal culture impacts on practice
1.6 The midwife supports the development, implementation and evaluation of evidenced-based health initiatives and programs
2 Standard 2: Engages in professional relationships and respectful partnerships
3 Standard 3: Demonstrates the capability and accountability for midwifery practice
3.1 The midwife understands their scope of practice
3.3 The midwife participates in own continuing professional development to maintain the required knowledge and skill base for safe and effective practice
3.4 The midwife contributes to a culture that supports learning, teaching, knowledge transfer and critical reflection
3.5 The midwife engages in timely consultation, referral and documentation
4 Standard 4: Undertakes comprehensive assessments
5 Standard 5: Develops a plan for midwifery practice
5.1 The midwife interprets assessment data and best available evidence to develop a plan for practice
6 Standard 6: Provides safety and quality in midwifery practice
7 Standard 7: Evaluates outcomes to improve midwifery practice
7.3 The midwife uses evaluation and reflection to inform future practice and professional development

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

Completion of 72 units and enrolled in GD007

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Limited Grading (PNP)

Pass (PU), Fail (UF). All assessment tasks are required to be passed for successful completion of the course.

Details of early feedback on progress

Early feedback will be provided by the clinical facilitator when completing the Progressive component of the Clinical Assessment Tool. This feedback includes assessment of your competency in all standards. The facilitator will discuss the deliberations with you and you will have the opportunity to provide comment on the tool during both the Progressive and Summative components.

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Artefact - Professional Individual 
1000
 Week 3 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 2 Artefact - Creative, and Written Piece Individual 
1000
 Week 7 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 3 Placement performance Individual 
240 hours
 Week 8 SONIA
All - Assessment Task 1:Digital information resource
Goal: 
This assessment task gives you an opportunity to produce a woman focused digital information resource to guide the management of one co-morbidity or complex need across the childbearing journey.
Product: Artefact - Professional
Format: 
Written piece
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Critically analyse and reflect on your professional, cultural and social identity as a new midwife caring for a woman with complex needs.
 2
2 
Critical presentation of the management of one co-morbidity or complex need across the childbearing journey.
 3
3 
Digital resource includes the scope of midwifery practice and working within a multidisciplinary team throughout complex care.
 3
4 
Use of relevant scholarly literature and ethical use of intellectual property. No AI
evidenced sourced information.
 5
5 
Demonstrate appropriate written expression (academic writing, spelling grammar, terminology, etc.)
 5
Generic Skills: 
Applying technologies, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 2:Creative and Written
Goal: 
The aim of this assignment is to critically reflect and analyse your role and scope as a current third year student midwife then plan and develop a concept map as a newly graduated midwife (over 1-3 years).
Product: Artefact - Creative, and Written Piece
Format: 
Concept Map: Concept maps form a visual representation of your thought processes. Information about concept maps will be provided on the course Canvas site. 
Written Commentary: A written response elaborating on your concept map, explaining your anticipated approach to your future practice as a midwife, and how this aligns with the Midwife Standards for Practice and Code of Conduct for Midwives.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Concept map presentation:
- Text contrast, legibility & readability
- Layout design and functionality
 1
2 
Concept map must link to professional standards when discussing: 
- Current practice 
- First three years post registration
 1 2
3 
Video summary of information presented clearly and links to concept map and actions for professional development and includes:
-Importance – personally
-Enhance scope of practice national/international
-Inform decision-making
-Benefit to women
 1 2
4 
Use of relevant scholarly literature and ethical use of intellectual property. No AI
Evidenced sourced information.
 5
5 
Language and spelling
 5
Generic Skills: 
Problem solving, Applying technologies, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 3:Clinical Assessment Tool and Portfolio
Goal: 
The purpose of this assessment is for you to demonstrate completion of allocated placement for this course and satisfactory competency based on the NMBA Midwife Standards for Practice as measured in the Clinical Assessment Tool (AMSAT). Evidence of your MPE is collected progressively throughout the program in a portfolio. Your competence in meeting the NMBA standards was progressively assessed in MID701, 703, and 705). Details regarding MPE evidence will be provided by the course coordinator on the course Canvas site.
Product: Placement performance
Format: 
The clinical facilitator will complete the Clinical Assessment Tool including assessment of your competency in all standards and completion of the required hours. The course coordinator provides the final decision and outcome. If you are not meeting satisfactory practice standards at any point of the placement, learning processes will be implemented to support you to attain the necessary behaviours to satisfactorily meet each standard. Unsatisfactory behaviours which put client safety at risk or which do not adhere with the NMBA Midwife Standards for Practice, Code of Professional Conduct and/or Code of Ethics criteria and standards may result in your removal from placement. If you do not meet each standard at a satisfactory standard you will fail this course. Please refer to Canvas for details.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Practice behaviours as measured against NMBA Midwife Standards for Practice and detailed in the clinical assessment tool.
 1
2 
Evidence of adherence to Code of Professional Conduct and Code of Ethics criteria and standards.
 1
3 
Evidence of completing a total of 10 women for Continuity of Care experiences (CONNECT) and all MPE experiences that meet the requirements for ANMAC Midwife Accreditation Standard 3: Midwifery Practice Experience.
 1
4 
Satisfactory participation, communication, reflection on multidisciplinary team roles and interactions, and the implications of these for safe woman centred care.
 1 3
5 
Completion of 240 hours of allocated placement.
 1 4
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Collaboration

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

Please note that you need to have regular access to the resource(s) listed below. Resources may be required or recommended.

Required? Author Year Title Edition Publisher
Required Sally Pairman,Sally K. Tracy,Hannah Dahlen,Lesley Dixon,Priscilla Peart,Bernadette Pulis 2023 Midwifery Preparation for Practice n/a Elsevier
Required Sara Bayes,Sally De-Vitry Smith 2022 SKILLS FOR MIDWIFERY PRACTICE AUSTRALIAN & NEW ZEALAND EDITION. n/a n/a
Required Roslyn Donnellan - Fernandez,Maryam Bazargan,Clare Davison,Michelle Gray,Kirsten Small 2024 Pharmacology in Midwifery n/a Elsevier

Specific requirements

Your clinical placement may have specific requirements, and information will be provided during your placement orientation. UniSC uniform as outlined on Canvas is to be worn on all placements.

How are risks managed in this course?

Risk assessments have been performed for all studio and laboratory classes and a low level of health and safety risk exists. Some risk concerns may include equipment, instruments, and tools; as well as manual handling items within the laboratory. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation.  It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline.  This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person.  You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin.  This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

This course will be graded as Pass in a Limited Grade Course (PU) or Fail in a Limited Grade Course (UF) as per clause 5.1.1.3 and 5.1.1.4 of the Grades and Grade Point Average (GPA) - Academic Policy.
In a course eligible to use Limited Grades, all assessment items in that course are marked on a Pass/Fail basis and all assessment tasks are required to be passed for a student to successfully complete the course. Supplementary assessment is not available in courses using Limited Grades.

Assessment: Submission penalties

You must contact your Course Coordinator and provide the required documentation if you require an extension or alternate assessment.
Refer to the Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs – Procedures.

SafeUniSC

UniSC is committed to a culture of respect and providing a safe and supportive environment for all members of our community. For immediate assistance on campus contact SafeUniSC by phone: 07 5430 1168 or using the SafeZone app. For general enquires contact the SafeUniSC team by phone 07 5456 3864 or email safe@usc.edu.au.

The SafeUniSC Specialist Service is a Student Wellbeing service that provides free and confidential support to students who may have experienced or observed behaviour that could cause fear, offence or trauma. To contact the service call 07 5430 1226 or email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au.

Study help

For help with course-specific advice, for example what information to include in your assessment, you should first contact your tutor, then your course coordinator, if needed.

If you require additional assistance, the Learning Advisers are trained professionals who are ready to help you develop a wide range of academic skills. Visit the Learning Advisers web page for more information, or contact Student Central for further assistance: +61 7 5430 2890 or studentcentral@usc.edu.au.

Wellbeing Services

Student Wellbeing provide free and confidential counselling on a wide range of personal, academic, social and psychological matters, to foster positive mental health and wellbeing for your academic success.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 1226.

AccessAbility Services

Ability Advisers ensure equal access to all aspects of university life. If your studies are affected by a disability, learning disorder mental health issue, injury or illness, or you are a primary carer for someone with a disability or who is considered frail and aged, AccessAbility Services can provide access to appropriate reasonable adjustments and practical advice about the support and facilities available to you throughout the University.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email AccessAbility@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 2890.

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

  • In person:
    • UniSC Sunshine Coast - Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs
    • UniSC Moreton Bay - Service Centre, Ground Floor, Foundation Building, Gympie Road, Petrie
    • UniSC SouthBank - Student Central, Building A4 (SW1), 52 Merivale Street, South Brisbane
    • UniSC Gympie - Student Central, 71 Cartwright Road, Gympie
    • UniSC Fraser Coast - Student Central, Student Central, Building A, 161 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay
    • UniSC Caboolture - Student Central, Level 1 Building J, Cnr Manley and Tallon Street, Caboolture
  • Tel:+61 7 5430 2890
  • Email:studentcentral@usc.edu.au
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