Midwifery

Midwifery practice experience (MPE)* is a form of Work-Integrated Learning, which enables students to apply new knowledge, skills, and attitudes in a workplace environment. The period of MPE is an essential and mandatory component of the course, consisting of 1045 hours across two Study Periods (Half Year Period 1 and Half Year Period 2), with each Study Period running for 22 and 23 weeks, respectively.

A placement agreement between the university and the relevant hospital must be in place before the student can commence any clinical placement. The university will initiate this agreement once the applicant is conditionally accepted into the course and has provided the necessary employer details.

H6G - Graduate Diploma of Midwifery

* Professional Experience Placement (PEP) and Midwifery Practice Experience (MPE) may be used interchangeably

Registration

• Australian Health Practitioner Registration Agency (AHPRA): Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency - About registration
• Graduate Diploma of Midwifery students are registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia upon enrolment to the course

For student midwives

• Midwifery Practice Experience Handbook (PDF 895.6 KB )
• Minimum Practice Requirements (PDF 172.1 KB)

For Preceptors

• Midwifery Practice Experience Preceptor Guide (PDF 3.9 MB)
• MPE Progression Pathway (DOCX 62.4 KB)
• MPE Student Support Plan (DOCX 39.2 KB)
• Documenting Student Activity and Feedback (A Guide for MPE Preceptors and Supervisors) (DOCX 272.7 KB)

Work Health and Safety

There is work health and safety information, including incident, accident and injury procedures and student insurance information available at UTAS Work Health and Safety Student Information.

Accidents or injuries on MPE

• Health care agencies have obligations to students under the Work Health and Safety Act 2012. Students on PEP should act in accordance with the individual agency's workplace policy and procedure in the event of an accident or injury occurring.
• In the event that a student experiences accident or injury while on MPE the student must follow the incident/injury reporting procedures within the particular workplace and ensure the incident/injury has been reported as soon as practicable to the MPE Facilitator and the Course Coordinator. The student must also complete a University of Tasmania Online Incident Notification