Section 246-834-220. Midwife-in-training program, credit toward educational requirements for licensure.

(1) Applicants not meeting the minimum requirements in WAC 246-834-060 may apply to the department for the midwife-in-training (MIT) program by:

(a) Submitting to the department a completed MIT application with a nonrefundable MIT program application fee as specified in WAC 246-834-990.

(b) Ensuring that transcripts are submitted directly to the department from the applicant's school for any academic courses taken that are required in RCW 18.50.040 (2)(b). The school must be certified by an accrediting body and approved by the department. The applicant must have received a grade of "C" or better in each academic course.

(c) Submitting to the department a prospectus described in subsection (2) of this section. A proposed preceptor qualified under WAC 246-834-230 shall sign the prospectus. The department, in consultation with a licensed midwife sitting on the midwifery advisory committee (MAC), must approve the prospectus prior to the applicant beginning the program.

(2) The MIT prospectus must include:

(a) A plan for completion of required academic subjects required in RCW 18.50.040 (2)(b);

(b) Planned reading and writing assignments;

(c) A project including at least one problem-solving component relating to the practice of midwifery. The project must be in writing and must include:

(i) A definition of an acknowledged problem;

(ii) A method of approach to the problem;

(iii) A listing of possible alternatives;

(iv) Actions taken;

(v) Evaluation; and

(vi) Final recommendations to improve care given.

(d) Acquisition of knowledge about other health and welfare agencies in the community.

(3) The department may, on an individual basis, require additional education, based upon assessment of the applicant's background, training, and experience.

(4) Upon department approval of the MIT application and prospectus, the department will issue an MIT trainee permit which enables the trainee to work under the supervision of a preceptor to perform the activities in subsection (6)(a) and (b) of this section.

(a) The MIT trainee shall report any changes to the approved prospectus in writing to the department within thirty days of the change.

(b) If the MIT trainee makes changes to the prospectus, the department and a designated MAC member must reevaluate the proposal and determine whether to approve the revised prospectus. Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the department's regulatory authority under chapter 18.130 RCW.

(5) A preceptor may not supervise more than two MIT trainees simultaneously. An exception may be granted by the department in extraordinary circumstances.

Reporting Requirements

(6) The MIT trainee shall provide documentation of supervised care as follows:

(a) Documentation of attendance at one hundred births:

(i) At least thirty births where the trainee was the primary attendant. At least fifteen of the thirty births must occur after the trainee permit is issued.

(ii) At least twenty births where the trainee directly assisted.

(iii) At least fifty births that the applicant observed in addition to births counted in (a)(i) and (ii) of this subsection. The observed births may have been observed prior to or during the trainee's MIT program.

(iv) Documentation for (a)(i) through (iii) of this subsection must include at least the date, client identifier, applicant's role at birth, and the signature or initials of the qualified attendant at the birth of either: A midwife licensed under chapter 18.50 RCW, a physician licensed under chapter 18.71 RCW, an osteopathic physician licensed under chapter 18.57 RCW, or a certified nurse midwife licensed under chapter 18.79 RCW. The MIT trainee shall provide to the department the name and contact information of each signatory, if available.

(b) Documentation of prenatal care examinations for fifty women and early postpartum care examinations for fifty women. The same women need not be seen for both examinations. At least fifteen of the fifty care exams in each category must occur after the MIT permit is issued. Documentation must include at least the date, client identifier, and the signature or initials of the qualified attendant at the care examination of either: A midwife licensed under chapter 18.50 RCW, a physician licensed under chapter 18.71 RCW, an osteopathic physician licensed under chapter 18.57 RCW, or a certified nurse midwife licensed under chapter 18.79 RCW. The MIT trainee shall provide to the department the name and contact information of each signatory, if available.

(c) A quarterly written report, which must include a detailed outline of progress toward meeting the objectives of the prospectus during the reporting period.

(7) The department in consultation with a designated member of the MAC will determine whether the MIT trainee has successfully completed the prospectus components described in subsection (2) of this section and the prenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum care components in subsection (6)(a) and (b) of this section. If the department makes the determination of successful completion, the MIT trainee is eligible to apply for licensure.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.50.065, 18.50.135, and 18.50.040. WSR 15-20-049, § 246-834-220, filed 9/30/15, effective 10/31/15. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.50.135 and 18.50.045. WSR 92-02-018 (Order 224), § 246-834-220, filed 12/23/91, effective 1/23/92. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.70.040. WSR 91-02-049 (Order 121), recodified as § 246-834-220, filed 12/27/90, effective 1/31/91. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.50.040(3) and 18.50.115. WSR 88-12-040 (Order PM 732), § 308-115-220, filed 5/27/88.]

RCW 18.50.065, 18.50.135, and 18.50.040. WSR 15-20-049, § 246-834-220, filed 9/30/15, effective 10/31/15. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.50.135 and 18.50.045. WSR 92-02-018 (Order 224), § 246-834-220, filed 12/23/91, effective 1/23/92. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.70.040. WSR 91-02-049 (Order 121), recodified as § 246-834-220, filed 12/27/90, effective 1/31/91. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.50.040(3) and 18.50.115. WSR 88-12-040 (Order PM 732), § 308-115-220, filed 5/27/88.

Rules

246-834-060,246-834-990,246-834-230,