322 Nursing and Midwifery Associate Professionals

Nursing associate professionals provide basic nursing and personal care for people in need of such care due to effects of ageing, illness, injury, or other physical or mental impairment. They generally work under the supervision of, and in support of, implementation of health care, treatment and referrals plans established by medical, nursing and other health professionals. Tasks include - (a) providing nursing and personal care and treatment and health advice to patients according to care plans established by health professionals; (b) administering medications and other treatments to patients, monitoring patients’ condition and responses to treatment, and referring patients and their families to a health professional for specialized care as needed; (c) cleaning wounds and applying surgical dressings; (d) updating information on patients’ condition and treatments received in record-keeping systems; (e) assisting in planning and managing the care of individual patients; (f) assisting in giving first-aid treatment in emergencies. Examples of the occupations classified here: - Assistant nurse - Associate professional nurse - Enrolled nurse - Practical nurse Some related occupations classified elsewhere: - Clinical nurse consultant - 2221 - Professional nurse - 2221 - Specialist nurse - 2221 - Professional midwife - 2222 - Associate professional midwife - 3222 - Nursing aide (clinic or hospital) - 5321 - Nursing aide (home) - 5322 Note The distinction between professional and associate professional nurses should be made on the basis of the nature of the work performed in relation to the tasks specified in this definition. The qualifications held by individuals or that predominate in the country are not the main factor in making this distinction, as training arrangements for nurses vary widely between countries and have varied over time within countries.

Midwifery associate professionals provide basic health care and advice before, during and after pregnancy and childbirth. They implement care, treatment and referral plans usually established by medical, midwifery and other health professionals. Tasks include - (a) providing advice to women, families and communities on health, nutrition, hygiene, exercise, birth and emergency plans, breastfeeding, infant care, family planning and contraception, lifestyle and other topics related to pregnancy and childbirth; (b) assessing progress during pregnancy and childbirth, and recognizing signs and symptoms requiring referral to a health professional; (c) providing delivery care, usually only in the absence of identified potential complications, or assisting medical doctors or midwifery professionals with delivery care; (d) providing care and support to women and newborns following childbirth, monitoring their health status, and identifying signs and symptoms requiring referral to a health professional. Examples of the occupations classified here: - Assistant midwife - Traditional midwife Some related occupations classified elsewhere: - Clinical nurse consultant - 2221 - Professional nurse - 2221 - Specialist nurse - 2221 - Professional midwife - 2222 - Birth assistant - 5321 Notes This unit group includes occupations for which competent performance requires knowledge and skills in routine and emergency midwifery care acquired through formal or informal training. The criteria for inclusion of individuals in this unit group should be based on the nature of the work performed in relation to the tasks specified in this definition, and not the qualifications held by individuals or that predominate in the country. Traditional and lay midwives, who provide basic pregnancy and birthing care and advice based primarily on experience and knowledge acquired informally through the traditions and practices of the communities where they originated, are classified here. Birth assistants, who provide emotional support and general care and advice to women and families during pregnancy and labour, are classified in Minor Group 532: Personal care workers in health services.