Certified Postpartum Doula

ABOUT THE POSITION

Heluna Health and Happy Mama Healthy Baby Alliance invite applications for the position of Postpartum Doula-Nourishing Roots.

This project will provide postpartum doula in-home supportive services and support by two (2) Certified Postpartum Doulas for 90 African-American birthers/nurturers and infants through a home visitation program for clients and their infants from two days postpartum through 3 months postpartum. Families have up to 24 hours of postpartum care in their homes (4 hour or 8-hour sessions, including overnight 10:00 pm to 6:00 am). Breastfeeding will be promoted by doulas, with at least 70% of clients using this feeding method for a minimum of six months. Also, assessment for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) will be conducted and referrals shall be made for mental health services if needed. Duties include client care and outreach and enrollment of clients.

This is a part-time, non-benefit eligible, position (15 hours/week).

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Understanding of quality-of-life issues and the impact of social determinants of health and racial justice issues impacting birth outcomes and survival rates of African-American mothers and infants.
• Ability to provide culturally congruent services to African-American mothers and their nurturers.
• Work with Program Coordinator and Executive Director to implement a plan to enroll 90 African-American mothers and their nurturers who are between two days and two weeks postpartum into the program and provide in-home supportive services during the three-day to three-month postpartum period.
• Under supervision of Program Coordinator, implement strategies to ensure at least 70% (63 of 90) of African-American mothers participating in the program will breastfeed their babies for a minimum six months during the child's first year of life.
• Implement plan to deliver strategies to ensure at least 95% (85 of 90) of African- American mothers/nurturers and their babies participating in the program will experience live births and survival through one year post birth.
• Conduct community outreach to recruit clientele eligible for the program. Outreach will be conducted through social media marketing, and virtual sessions over Zoom, as well as in-person outreach and presentations to agencies serving African-American pregnant women. Reliable transportation and an ability to conduct presentations on the program are required. Public speaking ability is required and ability to travel throughout Los Angeles County to provide services are required.
• Develop a postpartum care plan with the family for postpartum services.
• Deliver postpartum and lactation services in clients homes providing breastfeeding support, support for maternal physical recovery, instruction on newborn care, screening for PMADs, and provide household help are required.
• Identify any abnormal situations occurring in postpartum mother such as excessive postpartum bleeding, breast infection, postpartum depression, or psychosis, etc. and make medical and mental health referrals as needed.
• Provide assessment and plan for maternal recovery; monitor newborn appearance, behavior, and identify any risk factors and make medical referrals if needed.
• Encourage vaccination of newborn and regular checkups with pediatrician.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

• Certified Postpartum Doula required;
• Graduate of a Birth Doula and Postpartum Doula or Perinatal Support Specialist training through DONA, ALACE, ToBirth, ICEA, CAPPA, AWMNH, HMHBA, Birthing People Foundation, Full Circle, or other qualified organization or instructor required.
• Certification as a Lactation Educator or Lactation Counselor-Educator or Breastfeeding Peer Counselor through any qualified organization such as CAPPA, Breastfeed LA, Le Leche League, WIC, UCLA, etc. required
• Postpartum Doula Certification with Lamaze, ICEA, Bradley, HMHBA, CAPPA, ToBirth, etc. required;
• 6 months experience working as a postpartum doula or in-home health visitor providing social services to a diverse population including Black/African American families is required.
• Demonstrated ability to implement research-based health education strategies and best practices in perinatal health and lactation.
• Ability to plan, coordinate, and organize work projects and reports and meet deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills and conflict resolution ability.
• Strong public speaking skills to make presentations on program and recruit in community is required.
• Cultural awareness training and anti-racism training or willingness to attend training within 6 months of hire.
• Experience collaborating with a variety of staff at all levels and community partners.
• Strong attention to detail to complete reports accurately by deadline is essential for this position.
• Passion for and commitment to the mission of Happy Mama Healthy Baby Alliance
• Aptitude for solving problems with creativity and resourcefulness.
• Ability to develop positive relationships with clients, doulas, providers, staff, interns, apprentices, volunteers, and supervisors.
• Ability to work independently with little supervision, keep up with required documentation and reports and submit by deadline.
• Ability to work flexible hours (including nights, weekend, holidays), work virtually, and have reliable transportation and the ability to travel throughout Los Angeles County.
• Completion of HIPAA Training within 2 weeks of hire required.
• Training in Perinatal Mental Health required within 3 months of hire.
• Computer proficiency with Microsoft 360 Programs such as Word, SharePoint, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint are required.
• Must show proof of vaccination including COVID vaccine, or an approved medical or religious accommodation
• Must be able to secure reliable transportation as needed for job duties.

Education/Experience

• Education: High School Degree (required); or associate’s degree (preferred) plus college-level coursework in subject areas of women’s studies, health sciences, public health, social work, family studies, obstetrical and postpartum nursing, or midwifery preferred.
• License or certification: Certified Postpartum Doula Required. Graduate of Postpartum Doula or Certified Perinatal Support Specialist Training required; Certified Lactation Educator or Certified Lactation Educator-Counselor required; IBCLC preferred, Certified Childbirth Educator a plus.
• Demonstrated experience in postpartum care of mothers (experience via parenting and/or early learning and development and home visitation programs is highly desirable) as a Postpartum Doula and/or Midwife Assistant.
• Experience: 6 months experience working as a Postpartum Doula or in-home visitor providing social services and lactation support to diverse populations including BIPOC, refugees and immigrants, including adolescents. Must have worked with three families providing Postpartum Doula Support prior to hire is required. Ability to provide client evaluations for postpartum services for three clients is required.

Certificates/Licenses/Clearances

• Certified Postpartum Doula required from any certifying entity; must provide certificates of certification.
• Certified Birth Doula preferred from any certifying entity.
• Certified Lactation Educator or Certified Lactation Educator-Counselor required from any certifying entity; ability to provide certificate of certification required.
• Certified Childbirth Educator from any certifying entity a plus;

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Stand                                   Frequently
• Walk                                     Frequently
• Sit                                          Frequently
• Handling / Fingering         Occasionally
• Reach Outward                   Occasionally
• Reach Above Shoulder       Occasionally
• Climb, Crawl, Kneel, Bend  Occasionally
• Lift /Carry Occasionally -    Up to 25 lbs
• Push/Pull Occasionally -     Up to 25 lbs
• See                                          Constantly
• Taste/ Smell                           Not Applicable 

KEY

• Not required for essential functions
• Occasionally (0 - 2 hrs/day)
• Frequently   (2 - 5 hrs/day)
• Constantly     (5 hrs/day)

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This is a hybrid virtual and in-person position located in Los Angeles County, California. Applicants must reside in Los Angeles County, California and have personal computer and Wi-Fi to provide virtual services and outreach.

EEOC STATEMENT

It is the policy of Heluna Health to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants, without regard to age (40 and over), national origin or ancestry, race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, reproductive health decision making, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer or a record or history of cancer), AIDS or HIV, genetic information or characteristics, veteran status or military service.