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Midwife

Midwives are primary health-care providers. They are considered experts in normal pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. They screen for physical, psychological, emotional, and social issues. They are trained to order and interpret tests and discuss results and can prescribe a range of pharmaceutical medications, as needed. They refer to medical and other specialists when needed, but generally can provide the care a family needs during pregnancy and birth.

NOC Codes

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.

Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.

2006 NOC

  • 3232.1: Midwives

2006 NOC-S

  • D232: Midwives and Practitioners of Natural Healing

2011 NOC

  • 3124: Allied primary health practitioners

2016 NOC

  • 3124: Allied primary health practitioners

2021 NOC

  • 31303: Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals

2023 OaSIS

  • 31303.02: Midwives
Duties
Updated Mar 31, 2024

Midwives take care of clients and their babies during pregnancy, labour, delivery, and the postpartum period. They provide reproductive and sexual health care and advise new families on newborn care. Midwives collaborate with other health-care providers when complications arise during a pregnancy or delivery. In general, midwives:

  • Provide comprehensive prenatal care
  • Help families give birth at their chosen location, whether in hospital, at home or at a birth centre
  • Counsel individuals and in some cases teach classes about pregnancy and childbirth, parenthood, family planning, and related topics
  • Educate families about pregnancy, prenatal health, labour, birth, and the postpartum period, and support families to make informed health-care decisions
  • Provide emotional support to clients and their families during pregnancy, labour, delivery, and the postpartum period
  • Educate clients about newborn feeding, offer lactation support, advise new families on infant care, and provide information about newborn growth and development
  • Examine clients during and after pregnancy, and assess their physical and psychological well-being
  • Identify potential complications during pregnancy, such as high blood pressure, and refer clients to other health-care providers if needed
  • Prescribe selected medications
  • Monitor the condition of the client and baby during labour
  • Assist clients during childbirth, emotionally, physically, and with pain relief if desired
  • Take emergency measures and arrange for timely contact with physicians when abnormal conditions arise
  • Examine and care for newborn infants
  • Maintain records and write reports
  • Order lab tests and ultrasounds
  • Counsel and care for clients experiencing pregnancy and infant loss
  • Counsel and care for clients who have reproductive and sexual health questions between pregnancies
  • Take part in health-care teams in hospitals and community health settings
Working Conditions
Updated Mar 31, 2024
  • Strength Required Lift up to 20 kg

Midwives provide care in client homes, clinics, hospitals, and birth centres. They may need to stand, kneel, bend, or squat for long periods of time.

Midwives may be on call 24 hours a day. They may have to work long, unpredictable hours. Some midwives work together and share on-call schedules.

Interests & Abilities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Interest Codes

Interest Codes for This NOC Group
SOCIAL

Interest in analyzing data for the purpose of counselling and educating women concerning diet and pre-natal health practices; and in reassuring patients and providing emotional support during labour and the post-natal period

INNOVATIVE

Interest in operating medical equipment to examine patients and monitor fetuses during labour; and in conducting normal deliveries

DIRECTIVE

Interest in instructing patients on how to care for themselves and their infants; and in providing ongoing advice and support

Your Interest Codes

To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Reading Interest Codes
A Quick Guide

The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation. 

It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.

Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.

A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.

A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.

Learn About Interests

Abilities

Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Mental Abilities

General Learning Ability

Verbal Ability

Numerical Ability

Visual Abilities

Spatial Perception

Form Perception

Clerical Perception

Physical Abilities

Motor Coordination

Finger Dexterity

Manual Dexterity

Understanding Abilities

A Quick Guide

You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.

The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.

The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.

Learn About Abilities

Traits & Skills
Updated Mar 31, 2024

Midwives need:

  • A genuine desire to support families during their child-bearing periods
  • The ability to support informed client decision-making
  • Empathy
  • Sound physical, mental, and emotional health
  • Manual dexterity
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Critical-thinking and judgment skills
  • The ability to be flexible as birthing situations progress
  • Confidence in managing emergency situations
  • Communication skills for working with clients and other health-care professionals
  • Organizational skills

They should enjoy helping clients make informed personal decisions about their choice of care during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Top 10 Skills Employers Are Looking For

Allied primary health practitioners

2016 NOC: 3124

This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 73 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Nov 30, 2021 and Oct 03, 2024.

Review these skills to learn:

  • Whether or not this occupation matches your skill set
  • What training you may need to get these skills
  • What skills to highlight in your resumé, cover letter, and interview.
Tasks: Advise patients on health care
Judgement
Accurate
Dependability
Effective interpersonal skills
Flexibility
Initiative
Tasks: Examine patients and take their medical histories and consult with physicians and other medical practitioners to evaluate patients' physical and mental health
Team player
Certificates, Licences, Memberships, and Courses : Licensure as a Nurse Practitioner by the province/territory of work
Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2024
  • Minimum Education 4 years post-secondary

The College of Midwives of Alberta (CMA) sets all educational requirements for registered midwives. This includes identifying approved programs or equivalencies.

Registered midwives in Alberta hold a bachelor of midwifery (BM or B.Mid.) or similar degree. Once registered, all midwives must complete continuing education requirements as set by the CMA. Currently, this includes regular recertification of CPR, obstetrical emergency skills, neonatal resuscitation, and fetal health surveillance.

To learn more about educational requirements, visit the CMA website.

Required Education

The following schools offer programs and courses that meet this occupation’s educational requirements. Other eligible programs and courses may be available.

Mount Royal University

To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:

Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.

Additional Information

Midwives are required to have liability insurance. To learn about liability insurance, contact the Alberta Association of Midwives (AAM)

Certification Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2024
  • Certification Provincially Regulated

Certain professional titles or duties within this occupation are protected by provincial legislation. Requirements vary if you use these titles or perform these duties.

The related legislation is shown below. If there are multiple related legislations, select a certification heading to learn about each one.

Midwife

Midwives provide comprehensive prenatal, labour, birth, and postpartum care to clients experiencing normal pregnancy. They provide counselling, education, and emotional support related to the clients’ physical, psychological, and social needs.

Legislation

Under Alberta’s Health Professions Act [pdf], Health Professions Restricted Activity Regulation [pdf], and Midwives Profession Regulation [pdf], registration with the College of Midwives of Alberta (CMA) is mandatory. Only registered members may provide restricted activities specified in the Regulations. This includes those who:

  • Meet identified competency requirements and provide professional services directly to the public
  • Teach the practice of the profession to members or students of the profession
  • Supervise registered members
  • Provide services to the public as midwifery students
  • Use the titles and initials: midwife, registered midwife, or RM

For information on what you need and other details, visit the certification profile Midwife.

Employment & Advancement
Updated Mar 31, 2024

In Alberta, midwives are self-employed. They have hospital privileges in designated Alberta Health Services facilities across Alberta.

Midwives must have a reliable vehicle and the equipment required to practice midwifery.

Industry Concentration

This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Allied primary health practitioners
2016 NOC: 3124

94.6% of people in this occupational group work in:

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

3-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the short-term demand forecasted for this occupation in Alberta over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals
2021 NOC: 31303
Medium
Demand
< 1500
Employed

Source: 2023-2025 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.

5-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

  • Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
  • Location in Alberta
  • Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
  • Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
  • Size of the occupation
  • Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Allied primary health practitioners
2016 NOC: 3124
1.8%
Annual Growth
(Below Average)
16
New Positions

Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

Midwifery is funded by Alberta’s health care system. Employment opportunities are expected to increase as midwifery services become funded in rural areas throughout Alberta.

Related Alberta Job Postings
Wage & Salary
Updated Mar 31, 2024

Earnings vary as midwives are independent practitioners.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Allied primary health practitioners

2016 NOC: 3124
Average Wage
$54.46
Per Hour
Average Salary
$97,452.00
Per Year
Average Hours
34.6
Per Week
Average Months on Payroll
12
Survey Methodology Survey Analysis

Source
2021 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey

NOC 3124 Wage Profile

Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.

All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.

To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.

Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.

B: Good Reliability
Data Reliability Code Definition

Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.


Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
  • Low
  • High
  • Average
  • Median
Starting
Overall
Top

Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
Wages* Low (5th percentile) High (95th percentile) Average Median
Starting $41.49 $50.43 $46.84 $48.27
Overall $46.35 $55.62 $54.46 $55.37
Top $49.28 $62.91 $60.62 $62.91

Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.

* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.

Pay brackets for hourly wages

  • Starting pay: average pay offered for entry-level positions
  • Overall pay: average pay across all employees in this occupation
  • Top pay: average pay offered to top-paid employees

Industry Information

ALL INDUSTRIES
Health Care & Social Assistance
Public Administration

Skills Shortage

Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
80%
80%)
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
28%
28%
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
0%
0%
Vacancy Rate
N/A
Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
  • Health Care and Medical Sciences
Other Sources of Information
Updated Mar 31, 2024

Alberta Association of Midwives (AAM) website: www.alberta-midwives.ca

Canadian Association of Midwives website: canadianmidwives.org

Canadian Midwifery Regulators Council (CMRC) website: www.cmrc-ccosf.ca

College of Midwives of Alberta website: www.albertamidwives.org

Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.

Updated Mar 31, 2024. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.

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