Each apprentice must be either enrolled in a MEAC-accredited midwifery school or be completing the PEP process plus a coursework program.
If you are not going through a MEAC-accredited school, it is IMPERATIVE that you take the time to look through the NARM website and get familiar with the requirements. It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to understand what is required. Birthing Your Way will not be able to walk you through that process. You must understand it before filling out an application. Your paperwork MUST be organized and filled out BEFORE arriving at the birth center.
If you are a MEAC student, it is IMPERATIVE that you take the time to understand your school’s requirements for graduation. It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to understand what is required. Your paperwork MUST be organized and filled out BEFORE arriving at the birth center.
Birthing Your Way will not be held accountable for paperwork that is turned in incorrectly.
EVERY student must complete the Introduction to Fetal Heart Monitoring through Relias Academy. You can find that link HERE. It is $70.00 and is considered part of your training with us here at BYW. You must send the certificate of completion to us. Plan for it to take anywhere between 2-6 hours, depending on your level of knowledge before the course.
Assistant Midwife (Assistant Attendant/NARM phase 2)
The Assistant Midwife program requires the following academic and birth experience: Either the student must be 1/2 through their coursework and have attended at least 10 births (at least 2 of these must be out-of-hospital), or 1/4 through their coursework and have attended at least 30 births (at least 5 of these must be out-of-hospital).
In addition, Assistant Midwife students must meet the following prerequisites:
NRP certification
CPR certification
Completion of a non-hospital breastfeeding class AND non-hospital childbirth class, or equivalent
Completion of doula training or equivalent
Completion of Birthing Your Way Orientation- during your stay
Skills assessment by Birthing Your Way midwives
Intern Midwife (Primary Attendant/NARM phase 3/4)
Intern Midwife students must be able to recognize symptoms, display initiative in care discussions, and be able to perform prenatal procedures with a good amount of accuracy. The primary attendant program requires the following academic and birth experience: Students must be either 2/3 or more through their coursework and have attended at least 40 births (at least 20 of these must be out-of-hospital), or 1/2 through their coursework and have attended at least 50 births (at least 30 of these must be out-of-hospital). Understand that it is the RARE student who is ready for Primary phase after the minimum NARM requirements. You are NOT eligible for this phase until the midwives here evaluate that you are ready. The first 2 weeks will be your evaluation weeks to see if you are ready for the Primary role.
In addition, Intern students must meet the following prerequisites:
Completion of up to 2 weeks as Assistant midwife at Birthing Your Way – NO EXCEPTIONS
Skills assessment by Birthing Your Way midwives
Advancement to Intern/Primary
Each apprentice will be placed on a two-week trial period. If you are not able to adjust to the practices of Birthing Your Way, or your skill levels are insufficient for the level applied for, we will adjust the agreements accordingly. If we feel that your skill level wasn’t appropriate for the level you applied for, we will let you know of the gaps in training that we saw, and re-evaluate your level. If you choose not to stay in the program with the adjustment in level or position you may discontinue the placement. However, any unused down payment will not be refunded. We will do our best to put you at the level you desire, but in the end an in-person evaluation will be the determining factor.
Application Process
The process to apply involves 4 easy steps (in order for your application to be considered, you must complete each of these):
1. Fill out the online application.
2. Email [email protected] to confirm receipt of the application.
3. Pay $50 application fee – to pay this fee, click here.
4. Email the following documentation to [email protected]:
Copy of CPR and NRP cards (both sides)
Certificate of completion of doula training course
2 letters of reference (one professional, one birth-related)
Copy of license or state ID
Any additional training certificates/documentation (medical, breastfeeding, etc)