Plenty of perks on offer for country Midwives

It’s no secret country Midwives have one of the most fulfilling jobs going around, but many of the opportunities and benefits that come with the role can sometimes be overlooked.

WA Country Health Service is committed to delivering woman and family-centred care to all corners of WA, which means our Midwives have the flexibility to travel throughout the state.

Midwives can also be eligible for generous allowances and financial incentives, including free transport and accommodation, depending on where they choose to live and work.

Whether you’re already a Midwife or looking for a foot in the door to become a Midwife, we offer a huge range of paid professional development opportunities.

Paid Student Midwifery Model

Registered Nurses employed by WA Country Health Service have access to a paid pathway to obtain a post-graduate qualification in midwifery through our Paid Student Midwifery Model.

You’ll complete a fully funded Graduate Diploma of Midwifery, receiving clinical support and expertise every step of the way as you learn to care for expectant women and newborns.

Newly minted Midwife (and mother-of-two herself) Eleanor Jones was able to continue working at Esperance Health Campus while completing the program and said she benefited from the flexible working arrangements.

“I was fortunate to be surrounded by a familiar team, both in maternity and the wider hospital, who supported me through the program, encouraging my independence in practice,” Eleanor said.

“Already, I’m meeting some women again as they return for their next pregnancy, and now I’m able to offer them support as a Midwife.”

For Albany-based Registered Nurse-Midwife Hayley Bolton, the program was an opportunity to fulfil a lifelong dream.

"I truly love being a Midwife. We get to be with mothers throughout their entire pregnancy journey, which is really special,” Hayley said.

“And there’s something extra special about seeing babies you’ve delivered out in the community.”

TRAVEL program

Equal parts working adventure and career development opportunity, our TRAVEL program offers Nurses and Midwives a 12-month fixed term contract split into three country rotations.

This unique program allows you to broaden your skills in a variety of clinical settings, working to full scope of practice while enjoying the diversity of country WA’s lifestyles – from laidback to adventure-seeking – there’s something for everyone.

Last year’s intake included 27 participants who chose where they wanted to live and work from dozens of participating rural and remote sites.

Director Nursing and Midwifery Workforce, Yvonne Bagwell said the program supported staff to achieve career goals while promoting a positive work/life balance.

“Participants have the chance to experience the culture and lifestyle of country WA while broadening their scope of practice in rural healthcare settings,” Yvonne said.

“They get to be part of a team of welcoming colleagues and supportive managers, caring for unique country communities while exploring WA’s beautiful landscapes on their days off.”

Several of last year’s participants went on to secure permanent positions at sites in the Pilbara, Kimberley and Wheatbelt regions.

Others are now preparing to enter their second and third years in the program.

Graduate partnership program

Newly qualified midwives can undertake a 12 month graduate program in partnership with the Women and Newborn Health Service (or another metro maternity hospital) where the first six months is spent in metro and the last six months in a country maternity service.

Midwifery Group Practice model

The Midwifery Group Practice (MGP) model provides expectant women and their families with holistic care based on trust and relationship building with their known Midwife – throughout pregnancy, during birth, and for the first six weeks postnatally.

This innovative model provides continuity of midwifery care across the continuum of pregnancy, birth and postnatal period in collaboration with Obstetric medical practitioners for women with risk factors. MGPs also offer antenatal and postnatal care for women who are required to birth at a higher care hospital away from home.

Importantly, continuity of midwifery care has been shown to lower postnatal depression rates, increase breastfeeding rates and lead to shorter lengths of stay in hospital.

Country Midwives work collaboratively with local obstetricians, childbirth educators, lactation consultants, social workers, physiotherapists, child health nurses, and allied health professionals to provide a wraparound service for new mums and bubs. 

By following women throughout their pregnancy, birthing and newborn journey, you will gain the invaluable experience that comes with working to the full scope of midwifery practice.

The MGP model is currently offered at eight sites across the South West, Wheatbelt, Kimberley and Pilbara regions including Margaret River, Warren Blackwood, Bunbury, Collie, Narrogin, Northam, Broome and Karratha.

Our WACHS MGPs can now employ Endorsed Midwives, able to prescribe and order diagnostics, at SRN3 level in recognition of their advanced scope of practice. We offer scholarships annually for WACHS midwives who want to qualify as Endorsed Midwives.

For more information on midwifery career opportunities, email wachs-nm.midwives@health.wa.gov.au.