Community-Based Doula

Glbhc•Bay City, MI

5d•Onsite

About The Position

This role involves providing comprehensive support to pregnant and parenting women within the community. The Community-Based Doula will initiate contact early in pregnancy, attend scheduled appointments, and visit families in their homes. They will utilize provided tools to prepare clients for labor, delivery, and new parenting roles, and will attend and support mothers through labor and delivery. Documentation of services using an electronic medical record is required, adhering to Michigan Medicaid Bulletins. Postpartum support includes home visits to assist with breastfeeding, infant care, and emotional well-being for up to 12 months. The doula will advocate for the mother-baby pair's medical and social needs, build relationships with community partners and medical providers, maintain confidentiality, and make appropriate referrals. Marginal duties include participating in interdisciplinary meetings, representing the organization at community events, assisting with outreach activities, and training new doulas.

Requirements

High School graduate or equivalent.
Graduate of MDHHS-approved doula training program or must complete within 3 months of hire.
Current MDHHS doula certification (if already completed a training program prior to hire) specializing in birth, postpartum, and/or bereavement doula services.
Extensive childbirth experience.
Ability to demonstrate evidence of prior successful pregnancy, labor & delivery, and/or postpartum support experience.
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.
Able to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, with a diverse population.
Must possess appropriate professional attitude and behavior.
Medium physical effort.
Reliable transportation, valid driver’s license, and liability auto insurance is required.
Graduate of MDHHS-approved community health worker (CHW) /community health representative (CHR) training program or must complete within 9 months of hire.
Current MDHHS CHW/CHR certification (if already completed a training program prior to hire).
Required to maintain a CPR/BLS certification.
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.

Nice To Haves

Lactation Counselor certification is preferred.
Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.

Responsibilities

Initiates contact as early in pregnancy as possible with assigned families.
Reliably attends scheduled appointments and have timely availability and accessibility for assigned families.
Visits pregnant and parenting women in their homes and other settings based on client preference and safety.
Uses provided tools including birth plans, techniques, and materials to prepare women for hospital labor and delivery experiences and for new parenting role.
Attends and supports the mother and family through labor and delivery and the few hours after delivery.
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.
Attempts to visit the mother-baby pair after hospital discharge or per client preference.
Attempts to maintain postpartum contact to support breastfeeding, guide infant care, and provide continued emotional support for up to 12 months.
Relies on doula training, experiences, and resources to advocate and monitor mother/ baby pair’s medical and social needs.
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.
Maintains confidentiality of families served.
Makes appropriate referrals to community resources as needed.
Participates in interdisciplinary and/or interagency meetings.
Represents GLBHC at community meetings as needed.
Responsible for the planning and participation in community outreach activities, health fairs and other GLBHC supported events.
Assists in the orientation and training of newly hired Community-Based Doulas/Perinatal CHWs.
Performs other duties as assigned.