The Clinic

An educational program located in a birthing center provides students with the unique opportunity for immediate and accessible hands on experience. A student at Maternidad La Luz begins learning practical midwifery skills the first day of classes. The opportunity for the repetition of skills available in a busy birth center enables the student to solidify clinical skills while integrating their academic learning.

Maternidad La Luz provides clinical placement for students who are involved in the MEAC accredited programs as well as the non-accredited programs for students who come to the clinic to gain experience and/or continuing education. All programs provide a high standard of academic instruction integrated with practical clinical experience. Students receive their clinical training from experienced professional midwives. The programs at Maternidad La Luz involve total commitment on the part of the student. Students need to be sure that they can give 100%. In addition to classroom time, students work two to three 24 hour shifts a week. Students may be required to be at the center more than 80 hours a week. Occasionally in order to provide continuity of care at births students may work extended hours. It is not possible to work another job or pursue other major interests. There is no vacation time available during the first two quarters.

Students at Maternidad La Luz attend approximately 25-35 births a quarter, 100-140 births a year. It is expected that students will provide primary care at approximately 25-30 births during the One Year Program. Each quarter of the program at Maternidad La Luz is especially designed to improve and consolidate prenatal, labor, birth and postpartum clinical skills. The Maternidad La Luz One Year Program teaches all the skills needed for certification by the National Association of Registered Midwives (NARM).

Providing comprehensive client care includes facilitating the smooth running of the clinic. Students are responsible for cleaning up before and after appointments and births, restocking clinic supplies, checking emergency equipment and general clinic maintenance.

The staff encourages students to broaden their skills in all aspects of client care. Maternidad La Luz is one of the few places where a student can expect to be catching babies in the first months of a midwifery education program. The staff at Maternidad La Luz are experienced teachers who share their knowledge with respect and consideration for the individual learning needs of each student.

On-Call Program

The On-Call Program was designed to provide students the opportunity to experience continuity of care in another format. Many states and provinces require a specific number of continuity of care clients for licensure. Students provide complete care for their On-Call clients, including all prenatal appointments, labor and birth, and postpartum care for the mother and baby. This is an intern program in which third and fourth quarter students will work with a minimum of five clients. Students who have On-Call Clients must have a working pager or cell phone.