Question 1

Is a Birth Assistant the same thing as a Midwife's Assistant?

Accepted Answer

Yes, a Birth Assistant, also known as a Midwife's Assistant, is a healthcare professional specifically trained to support community midwives with births in out-of-hospital settings, such as homes or free-standing birth centers. They provide support during labor, birth, and postpartum care.

Birth Assistants typically work as independent contractors and are primarily hired by direct-entry midwives.

Under the supervision of a midwife, a Birth Assistant performs various duties. These include taking maternal and fetal vital signs, charting, setting up equipment, maintaining a clean and organized birth space, and providing assistance in obstetrical emergencies, among other essential birth assistant responsibilities.

RESOURCE VIDEOS:
 • WATCH NOW: ((https://youtube.com/shorts/ozDzlP2sFWM?feature=shared)CLICK HERE) (https://youtube.com/shorts/ozDzlP2sFWM?feature=shared)What is a birth assistant / clinical assistant?(https://youtube.com/shorts/ozDzlP2sFWM?feature=shared)
 • WATCH NOW: (CLICK HERE) B(https://youtu.be/DAX-0aBSJWU?feature=shared)rittney Miller, Birth Assistant?(https://youtu.be/DAX-0aBSJWU?feature=shared)
 • WATCH NOW: (CLICK HERE) SANM Brand Film(https://vimeo.com/555772143)

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Question 2

Do I need a degree or a medical background to become a Birth Assistant?

Accepted Answer

No, you do not need a degree or a medical background to become a Birth Assistant. There is no national accrediting body that governs who can become one. Do your due diligence and know what your state's laws and regulations are in regards to working as a birth/ midwife's assistant.

Question 3

What is included in the Online and Hybrid Program?

Accepted Answer

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Here's what's included in the Black Sisters Birth Academy® Online Birth Assistant Program:
 • Black Sisters Birth Academy® Online Birth Assistant Course: (30 pre-recorded modules, training videos, 30 interactive quizzes, internal assignments and an exit exam)
 • BSBA Clinical Experience Course: External Assignments with Community Midwives & Birthing Families. (This course includes: Job Search Preparation)
 • BSBA Resource Library
 • A Certification of Completion
 • PLUS: Two Additional Certification of Completion For Bloodborne Pathogens & OSHA, and HIPAA
 • Downloadable Birth Assistant Manual
 • Placement on Birth Assistant Directory after your program completion

PLEASE NOTE: This program does not include direct, one-on-one time with an instructor. This feature is available in the Hybrid Program.

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Here's what's included in the Black Sisters Birth Academy® Hybrid Birth Assistant Program:
 • Black Sisters Birth Academy® Online Birth Assistant Program PLUS
 • 2-Day In-Person Birth Assistant Skills Training in Central Florida (Group & 1:1 Skills Drills)
 • (1) LIVE Virtual Group Skills Day Session with built-in Module Reviews (3 hour session) 
 • Student Support: Instructor Assignment Feedback & Monthly Email Check-Ins
 • Access to Our Private Thinkific Community
 • 1:1 Mentorship Calls: Access to the instructor between sessions via phone or email during office hours M-F 11 AM - 5 PM EST (Except for Federal US Holidays), answering questions, birth reviews, ensuring you are clear through all of the integration and implementation.
 • Certificate of Completion
 • Black Sisters Birth Academy® Tote Bag
 • Academy T-Shirt: BIRTH: It's What We DO
 • Professionally Catered, Plant-Based Meals: Breakfast & Lunch Provided During Your In-Person Training

Question 4

How do I choose between the two programs?

Accepted Answer

To choose the right one, consider your learning style, your current clinical comfort, and the demands of your schedule.

• Choose the Online Program if: You are a highly independent learner with an unpredictable "on-call" schedule. This self-guided clinical pathway allows you to master the clinical modules at your own pace from any location. It is ideal for experienced birthworkers who are already comfortable navigating out-of-hospital settings and prefer the autonomy of independent study.

• Choose the Hybrid Program if: You are a healthcare professional or birthworker who thrives on hands-on "muscle memory" training and direct, one-on-one instructor support. This track is essential for those seeking the immersive experience of in-person skill validation, dedicated real-time mentorship, direct clinical feedback, and community engagement.

•  Both pathways lead to the same high-standard Black Sisters Birth Academy® credential.

Program Comparison Chart:

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Question 5

When does enrollment open?

Accepted Answer

For the Online Program: 
 • Enrollment is offered on a rolling basis. 
 • Once accepted, you will have 7 days to complete your enrollment and secure your spot.

For the Hybrid Program: 
 • Enrollment opens once a year in January.
 • We accept a maximum of six students per enrollment period.
 • Once accepted, you will have 48 hours to complete your enrollment and secure your spot.

PLEASE NOTE: Only qualified applicants will be considered for enrollment into Black Sisters Birth Academy®.

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Question 6

What are the requirements for certification?

Accepted Answer

The Online Birth Assistant Program is designed in Two Phases, and completion of both phases are required for certification.

PHASE ONE: 
• Completion of the Online Birth Assistant Course
• Completion of the Phlebotomy, Venipuncture, and IV Techniques Certification (External Certification)**
• Provide proof of a valid CPR Certification (External Certification)**
• Provide proof of a valid NRP (Advanced Provider) Certification (External Certification)**

PHASE TWO: 
•  Completion your Clinical Experience with a community midwife(s):
Attendance at 3 prenatal visits (at 28 weeks +) and 3 out-of-hospital births

The Hybrid Birth Assistant Program is designed into Three Phases, and completion of each phase is required for certification.

PHASE ONE: 
• Completion of the Online Birth Assistant Course
• Completion of the Phlebotomy, Venipuncture, and IV Techniques Certification (External Certification)**
• Provide proof of a valid CPR Certification (External Certification)**
• Provide proof of a valid NRP (Advanced Provider) Certification (External Certification)**

PHASE TWO: 
• Completion of a 2-Day In-Person Birth Assistant Skills Training in Central Florida

PHASE THREE: 
• Completion your Clinical Experience with a community midwife(s):
Attendance at 3 prenatal visits (at 28 weeks +) and 3 out-of-hospital births

Question 7

How is the online course structured in PHASE ONE?

Accepted Answer

Black Sisters Birth Academy® Online Birth Assistant Course is a 10-week online curriculum-based course with pre-recorded modules and external assignments to be completed within the course. Three (3) modules are released each week. You will receive a certificate of completion for the online course after all assignments are completed and after you have successfully passed your exit exam with an 80% or higher.

Question 8

How long do I have to complete the program?

Accepted Answer

All programs (Online and Hybrid) must be completed within 180 days from your enrollment date.

ONLINE PROGRAM COMPLETION TIMEFRAME (RECOMMENDED): 
 • PHASE ONE: Complete within 90 days from the date of your enrollment.

• PHASE TWO: Complete at any point within 180 days from the date of your enrollment AFTER completion of PHASE ONE.

IMPORTANT: Completion of PHASE ONE is MANDATORY before entering PHASE TWO.

HYBRID PROGRAM COMPLETION TIMEFRAME (MANDATORY): 
 • PHASE ONE: Must be completed within the first 90 days from your enrollment date, or before your scheduled date in-person training for PHASE TWO.

• PHASE TWO: Must be completed by the scheduled date of your in-person training, and only after you have successfully completed PHASE ONE.

• PHASE THREE: Can only be completed after the successful completion of PHASE TWO.

IMPORTANT: In the Hybrid program, it is mandatory to complete PHASE ONE before starting PHASE TWO, and PHASE TWO must be completed before beginning PHASE THREE.

Question 9

Where can I get CPR and NRP certified?

Accepted Answer

Below is a list of approved organizations for each required certification:

For CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) Certification:

US Residents: 
American Heart Association (https://shopcpr.heart.org/heartsaver-cpr-aed-online)
American Red Cross  (https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/cpr/cpr-training/cpr-certification)

Canadian Residents:
Canadian Red Cross (https://www.redcross.ca/training-and-certification)

For NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation Program) Certification:

US Residents: 
American Academy of Pediatrics  (https://nrplearningplatform.com/nrp_catalog)

Canadian Residents:
Canadian Paediatric Society (https://cps.ca/en/nrp-prn)

If you have any questions, email us at support@blacksistersbirth.com (support@blacksistersbirth.com)and we'll be glad to guide you.

Question 10

Do you have in-person trainings?

Accepted Answer

Black Sisters Birth Academy® Hybrid Birth Assistant Program includes a mandatory two-day in-person skills training session, held annually in Central Florida.

Enrollment for this program opens once a year in January and is limited to a maximum of six students per enrollment period.

We also offer a two-day in-person skills training session for alumnae annually in the summer. These sessions are available on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to availability when the need arises.

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Question 11

What is the tuition investment and are there payment options?

Accepted Answer

Online Birth Assistant Program:
 • Pay-In-Full Savings: $1,997  USD (One-time payment at enrollment)
 • Standard Tuition: $2,197 USD
 • Installment Plan: 5 monthly payments of $439.40*

*Includes a 10% administrative fee for payment plan processing and account management.

Hybrid Birth Assistant Program:
 • Pay-In-Full Savings: $4,997 USD  (One-time payment at enrollment)
 • Standard Tuition: $5,500 USD 
 • Installment Plan: 5 monthly payments of $1,100*

*Includes a 10% administrative fee for payment plan processing and account management.

Additional Professional Requirements:
To fully prepare for practice, students should budget an additional $250–$350 for professional equipment (e.g., Doppler, blood pressure cuff), clinical supplies, and required CPR and NRP certifications if not already certified.*

* Estimated costs for equipment and external certifications are subject to market rates and may vary by provider.

Flexible Financing via Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL):
For those who prefer smaller installments while securing the Pay-In-Full Savings, we offer third-party financing through Affirm, Afterpay, Klarna, and PayPal Pay.

To access these installment options, please select the 'Pay In Full' tuition choice at checkout. Please note that eligibility and financing terms are determined solely by the third-party provider.

Question 12

Can I work as a Birth Assistant after the completion of this program?

Accepted Answer

After you have received your program certification you can seek employment as a certified Birth Assistant dependent upon your state law. Please note that each state law, midwife or institution such as a free-standing birth center determines what their requirements are prior to hiring or working as a Birth Assistant.

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