(1) The certified nurse midwife is
responsible and accountable for the continuous and comprehensive management of
women's health care focusing on pregnancy, childbirth, the postpartum period,
care of the newborn, family planning and gynecological needs for which the
certified nurse midwife is educationally prepared and for which competency is
maintained, with physician collaboration as described in these rules. These
services include but are not restricted to the following:
(a) Evaluate current health status and risk
factors of individuals based on comprehensive health history and comprehensive
physical examinations and assessments.
(b) Formulate a working diagnosis, develop
and implement a treatment plan, and evaluate/modify therapeutic regimens to
promote positive patient outcomes.
(c) Prescribe, administer and provide
therapeutic measures, tests, procedures, and drugs.
(d) Counsel, teach and assist
individuals/families to assume responsibility for self-care in prevention of
illness, health maintenance, and health restoration.
(e) Consult with and refer to other health
care providers as appropriate.
(2) A standard protocol approved by the Board
of Nursing and State Board of Medical Examiners shall address permissible
functions and activities specific to the practice of the certified nurse
midwife.
(3) A certified nurse
midwife may, after the successful completion of an organized program of study
and supervised clinical practice, carry out functions beyond the nurse
midwifery educational preparation provided the functions are approved by the
Board of Nursing as being within the legal scope of practice for a certified
nurse midwife. Such functions will be submitted to the Joint Committee for
consideration for inclusion on the standard protocol.
(4) Requests for additional functions to be
added to the protocol may be submitted to the Joint Committee for
consideration.
(5) A certified
nurse midwife may write admission orders for inpatients and subsequent orders
in accordance with established protocols and institutional policies.
Notes
Ala. Admin. Code r.
540-X-8-.24
New Rule: Filed June 20,
1996; effective July 26, 1996. Amended: Filed August 25, 2003; effective
September 29, 2003. Amended: Filed September 11, 2008; effective October 16,
2008.
Was previously Rule
540-X-8-.21,
renumbered as per certification filed August 25, 2003; effective September 29,
2003. Was previously Rule
540-X-8-.22,
renumbered as per certification filed April 23, 2004; effective May 28,
2004.
Author: Patricia E. Shaner, Attorney for the
Board of Medical Examiners
Statutory Authority:
Code of Ala.
1975, ยงยง
34-21-85,
34-21-86,
34-21-87,
34-24-53.