Students are required to ensure their profile is up to date on the UBC Student Services Centre and notify the Midwifery Student Services office of any changes to their name, address, telephone number, pager number, or email address as soon as such changes are made. This includes short-term moves for clinical placements.

It is not the responsibility of the Midwifery Student Services office to manage students’ personal contact information. Campus-wide and Midwifery Program messages will be sent to the student’s contact information listed in the UBC Student Services Centre or the Midwifery Student Service office. Failure to update your profile may result in critical lost communications from the University and the Program. Your contact information is confidential, and will not be shared with anyone outside of the Midwifery Program without the student’s permission.

Students entering MIDW 220 must have a mobile device that meets program specifications for communication and point of care resources such as an iPhone, Tablet, Android, or Blackberry. Designated software may be required. The expenses related to a data plan and contract should be considered when determined program expenses.

As technology and programs are developed and updated frequently, we ask that students confirm with the program faculty prior to investing in any one device and supporting software to confirm current requirements.

The Program offices are located on the 3rd floor of the David Strangway building (#320-5950), in between the Scotiabank and Shoppers Drug Mart on Wesbrook Mall and University boulevard. The Program also has offices on E4 at Children’s and Women’s Hospital of BC. Students are encouraged to make appointments with Faculty and Student Services staff when possible to discuss Program related issues. Faculty, staff and students share work and educational space. We encourage students to make optimal use of the available space and be mindful to maintain courtesy and professionalism at all times, including respecting the working environment of faculty and staff.

Wi-Fi is available campus-wide. Personal computers used in class can be both helpful and distracting. There may be times when faculty/guests may ask that computers not be in use during class time. Students are asked to observe respectful use of electronic devices in the classroom. Students are encouraged to clarify classroom etiquette as requested by individual faculty.

Midwifery students are required to purchase the following equipment for participation in the program. The total cost is approximately $800.00. Price points vary according to the quality of the product. The ** equipment noted in the table below can last the duration of a career in the profession. Purchasing quality diagnostic sets for these materials will be most cost effective over time. Students are encouraged to order as a group to take advantage of special group discounts. For information regarding equipment suppliers and pricing, the Simulation Laboratory and Clinical Skills Instructor may be contacted at leah.siebert@ubc.ca

Item
Update Coming

Measuring tape in centimetres
Digital thermometer in Celsius
Fetoscope (Allyn Series 10 or Pinard)**
Needle driver**
Tissue forceps with teeth**
Surgical scissors**
Baby scale (hanging)

Course
MIDW 107
MIDW 107
MIDW 107
MIDW 107
MIDW 221
MIDW 221
MIDW 221
MIDW 205
MIDW 205
MIDW 205
MIDW 320

Dates
Year 1 (Sept)
Year 1 (Sept)
Year 1 (Sept)
Year 1 (Sept)
Year 2 (Sept)
Year 2 (Sept)
Year 2 (Sept)
Year 2 (Jan)
Year 2 (Jan)
Year 2 (Jan)
Year 3 (Sept)

All midwifery administration and course materials are located on UBC Canvas (UBC’s learning management system), or via the Program website. Student access is activated after registration with their Campus Wide Login (CWL) and password.

Please note the following:

  • All course materials including syllabus, schedule and other resources are posted here at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the course.
  • Students are expected to review materials as early as possible prior to course start date to allow adequate preparation for the term.
  • Access is automatically restricted if course fees are not paid by UBC deadlines.
  • If there are problems accessing the Canvas account contact the Midwifery Program Instructional Assistant.

Students are expected to display a high academic and professional standard of conduct by punctual attendance at all scheduled classes including lectures, laboratories, workshops, intensives, and tutorials. Students who neglect their academic work and assignments may be excluded from final examinations.

UBC Attendance Policy

Students must contact their course Tutor if they will be absent from class. Extended absence of more than three days requires a Physician’s letter. With the exception of unexpected health issues or personal emergencies, students who plan not to attend a class must email notification to the Tutor / Instructor whose class they plan to miss in advance. This email will be copied to the Course Coordinator if different than the Tutor / Instructor.

The email request should include:

  • Classes to be missed,
  • Reason for the absence; and
  • Plan for meeting the course expectations for the materials missed during the absence.
Attendance at Case Based Learning (CBL) Tutorials is Mandatory

These tutorials form the learning experience for your entire cohort and absence will only be permitted due to rare approved absences based on learning needs. Students missing 40% or more CBLs, regardless of their rational for their absences, will be reviewed by the Academic Review Board to determine if the student is meeting the learning outcomes of the course or if s/he will be required to repeat the course.

Absence during Clinical Placement

Absences from clinical placements require advance notification to the Preceptor and the Course Tutor. Students are not expected to attend clinical placements when they are suffering from an infection that could be detrimental to the clients or impairs their ability to function safely. Absences not due to illness or Program related work should be incorporated into the allotted ‘time-off’ students have scheduled during their placements.

Requests for a leave of absence from the Midwifery Program will be evaluated on an individual basis. The Midwifery Program has limited enrolment and a student taking a leave creates a vacancy that cannot always be filled by another student.  Leaves are normally allowed for maternity and parental reasons, health issues, and/or family emergencies. Poor academic standing is not a valid reason for a leave to be granted; nor will a leave be granted in order to enroll in another program or pursue other course work. Normally only one leave of absence per student will be granted over the duration of the program. Leaves will not exceed one year.  If a student leave goes past 1 year, the student will be required to re-apply to the program through the admissions process and their standing upon successful re-entry will be determined by the program.  Students may not take more than two leaves (full academic years) during their time in the program.

Leaves of absence are not permitted during the final year of the program because of the need for continuity between MIDW 420 and MIDW 440 (Clerkship). If an emergency situation requires a student to begin a leave after completing MIDW 420, they will be required to audit MIDW 420 immediately prior to admission to MIDW 440 in their returning year.

Application for Leave of Absence

The student submits a written request to the Midwifery Student Support Committee through the Manager of Student Services. The letter should include the following:

  • Length of the leave request (provisional dates).
  • The reason for the request.
  • A plan for resuming studies at the end of the leave period.
  • If the request for leave is due to medical reasons, a letter from the Student’s physician must accompany the leave request.
  • In order to return to the program after an approved medical leave of absence, the student must provide a medical certificate stating that the student is able to resume their studies, including the ability to participate in clinical activities.

If the leave of absence is approved the students will receive a letter that will include:

  • The conditions of the leave.
  • The duration of the leave.
  • A deadline (usually three months before the intended re-entry date) by which time the student must make contact, in writing, with the Student Services Manager stating their intention to return.
  • An orientation plan for re-entry.
Student's Responsibilities during a Leave of Absence and upon return to the Program
  • A student on leave must contact the Student Services Manager at least three (3) months prior to the end of the approved leave period to confirm re-entry to the program. If the student fails to communicate with the program within the prescribed time, it will be assumed that the student has withdrawn.
  • Students must re-apply to the University before December 15 (the admissions deadline), in order to be admitted back into the program. Failure to do so could affect a student’s ability to register for courses at the appropriate time.
  • Returning students may be required to participate in additional lab or clinical practice in order to meet the competencies required for entry to their next course. There may be additional student expenses associated with this experience such as travel and accommodation.

*Students need to confirm with Student Health Services (SHS) that all vaccinations and boosters are current and up-to-date prior to their return to full-time study.

The Midwifery Program does not have a Senate approved part-time program. Consideration of a modified or extended schedule of studies will be made on a case-by-case basis, in consultation with the Office of Accessibility, in cases that require accommodation due to prolonged illness and/or documented learning or physical disabilities.

Students who anticipate the need for a modified program of studies should meet with the Student Services Manager as soon as possible. Following identification and documentation of student need and appropriate consultations, a plan for completion of degree requirements will be drafted, reviewed by the Midwifery Student Support Committee, and forwarded to the Director for approval.

The Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia has established a Professional Standards Policy for Faculty Members and Learners in the Faculties of Medicine and Dentistry. Faculty members and registered students are required to sign a copy of this document and submit a duplicate acknowledged copy to the Student Services office. The document is available on-line at MedNet > HR > Policies for your review. A copy will be distributed at the Orientation session in September, and must be returned to the Student Services office by the end of the first week of the fall semester.

Liability

UBC provides professional liability coverage for each student. Students are covered for the clinical care that they provide as a student within the program under a professional liability policy (malpractice insurance) provided by the university as long as they are being directly supervised by a regulated health care provider. Preceptors carry liability insurance that covers their professional practice. Students are advised to contact the Midwifery Program Director to discuss any sentinel events or incidents that involved a student clinical role. All information reported and subsequent communications will be kept confidential.

Accident

Student accident insurance is an additional required insurance that provides a measure of excess medical coverage for the benefit of UBC midwifery students performing course work in environments where the risk of injury is greater than in a classroom (i.e. laboratories, clinic). It provides a $50,000 maximum benefit for death or dismemberment and a $5,000 excess medical coverage (i.e. ambulance, prescription drugs). The plan only applies during the time that the student is actively engaged in clinical practice, not on call time. The premium is $7.00 per year per student and will be collected each September.

In addition to Student Accident Insurance, students must have the BC Medical Plan or its equivalent from another province in order to provide themselves with basic medical care.

Students are required to maintain registration with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) upon admission to the program. Students will be sent the appropriate documents upon admission to the Program. The BCCNM requires that each midwifery student undergo a Criminal Record Check and instructions for this are included in the BCCNM package. All documents must be received by the BCCNM by August 1st of each year, as the BCCNM registration committee meets in mid-August to process student registration.

Students not registered with the BCCNM cannot begin or continue in the Midwifery Program or participate in a clinical placement.

All students enrolled in the Faculty of Medicine are required to meet the immunization standards established by the UBC Student Health Services (SHS). Students receive documentation outlining SHS immunization requirements on admission to the Midwifery Program. The SHS notifies the Midwifery Program once a student has completed the immunization protocol.

Immunization requirements are in place to protect the student as well as the women and neonates to whom students provide care. It is the professional responsibility of each student to ensure these requirements are fulfilled prior to their entry into MIDW 220; the first clinical placement course in the second year of the program. Students who do not comply with the immunization requirements will not be permitted to participate in any clinical placement course. This will jeopardize progression throughout, and graduation from, the Midwifery Program.

The Midwifery Program cannot exempt a student from an immunization. All discussions around possible exemptions should be held with Student Health Services.

Please read the Post-Acceptance Requirements for Midwifery in the UBC Academic Calendar.