Community-Based Doula

JOB SUMMARY

This individual works with pregnant and postpartum women and their babies to promote healthy pregnancies, breastfeeding, and parent-infant attachment. While establishing a trusting relationship with mothers, the doula/perinatal CHW will provide culturally sensitive prenatal, labor, and postpartum support and education. This individual will focus especially on birthing support during each home visit and will intend on being present during the labor and delivery process. 

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

1.       Initiates contact as early in pregnancy as possible with assigned families.

2.       Reliably attends scheduled appointments and have timely availability and accessibility for assigned families.

3.       Visits pregnant and parenting women in their homes and other settings based on client preference and safety.

4.       Uses provided tools including birth plans, techniques, and materials to prepare women for hospital labor and delivery experiences and for new parenting role.

5.       Attends and supports the mother and family through labor and delivery and the few hours after delivery.

6.       Utilizes electronic medical record and required forms to document billable services provided in a timely manner per the Michigan Medicaid Bulletins for Medicaid Coverage of Doula Services and Medicaid Coverage of Community Health Worker (CHW)/Community Health Representative (CHR) Services. 

7.       Attempts to visit the mother-baby pair after hospital discharge or per client preference.

8.       Attempts to maintain postpartum contact to support breastfeeding, guide infant care, and provide continued emotional support for up to 12 months.

9.       Relies on doula training, experiences, and resources to advocate and monitor mother/ baby pair’s medical and social needs.

10.   Develops relationships with community partners including medical care providers such as labor & delivery nurses and OB-GYNs to ensure access to patients in hospitals and inclusion on birthing teams.

11.   Maintains confidentiality of families served.

12.   Makes appropriate referrals to community resources as needed.

MARGINAL JOB DUTIES

1.       Participates in interdisciplinary and/or interagency meetings.

2.       Represents GLBHC at community meetings as needed.

3.       Responsible for the planning and participation in community outreach activities, health fairs and other GLBHC supported events.

4.       Assists in the orientation and training of newly hired Community-Based Doulas/Perinatal CHWs.

5.       Performs other duties as assigned.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

Tier One – Doula:

1.       Education: High School graduate or equivalent.  Graduate of MDHHS-approved

doula training program or must complete within 3 months of hire.

2.    Licensure: Current MDHHS doula certification (if already completed a training

program prior to hire) specializing in birth, postpartum, and/or bereavement doula services.  Lactation Counselor certification is preferred.

3.    Experience: Extensive childbirth experience.  Ability to demonstrate evidence of

prior successful pregnancy, labor & delivery, and/or postpartum support experience.

4.   Skills: Must possess computer skills.  Problem identification and resolution, working toward mutually beneficial situations.  Self-motivated.  Decision maker.  Able to function with minimal daily supervision.  Organized and detail oriented. 

5.   Interpersonal Skills: Able to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, with a diverse population.  Must possess appropriate professional attitude and

behavior.

6.    Physical Effort: Medium.

7.    Hours of Work: Full-time/Part-time; flexible and varied.  Must maintain regular and timely attendance.  Some evenings and weekends may be required.

8.    Travel: Reliable transportation, valid driver’s license, and liability auto

insurance is required.  May require travel within service area and between GLBHC site locations.  Reimbursement in accordance with GLBHC travel policy. 

Tier Two – CHW:

1.       Education: High School graduate or equivalent.  Graduate of MDHHS-approved

community health worker (CHW)/community health representative (CHR) training program or must complete within 9 months of hire.

2.    Licensure: Current MDHHS CHW/CHR certification (if already completed a training

program prior to hire).

3.    Experience: Paid or volunteer care coordination, system navigation, health

promotion, and/or education experience within the last three years in one or more of the following settings:

·         In licensed health care facility;

·         In the services of a licensed physical or behavioral health care provider;

·         In a community-based organization addressing health-related social needs.

4.   Skills: Must possess computer skills.  Problem identification and resolution, working toward mutually beneficial situations.  Self-motivated.  Decision maker.  Able to function with minimal daily supervision.  Organized and detail oriented.  Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.

5.   Interpersonal Skills: Able to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, with a diverse population.  Must possess appropriate professional attitude and

behavior.

6.   Physical Effort: Medium.

7.   Hours of Work: Full-time/Part-time; flexible and varied.  Must maintain regular and timely attendance.  Some evenings and weekends may be required.

8.   Travel: Reliable transportation, valid driver’s license and liability auto insurance

is required.  May require travel within service area and between GLBHC site locations.  Reimbursement in accordance with GLBHC travel policy. 

9. required to maintain a CPR/BLS certification.

GLBHC is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and or harassment based on race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, and or local laws.