Community-Based Doula

Glbhc•Saginaw, MI

21h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Community-Based Doula will initiate contact as early in pregnancy as possible with assigned families, reliably attend scheduled appointments, and be available and accessible for assigned families. This role involves visiting pregnant and parenting women in their homes and other settings based on client preference and safety, using provided tools to prepare them for labor, delivery, and new parenting roles. The doula will attend and support the mother and family through labor and delivery, and for a few hours after delivery. Documentation of billable services will be done using an electronic medical record and required forms in a timely manner, adhering to Michigan Medicaid Bulletins. Postpartum support includes visits after hospital discharge, maintaining contact for up to 12 months to support breastfeeding, guide infant care, and provide emotional support. The doula will advocate and monitor the mother/baby pair's medical and social needs, develop relationships with community partners and medical care providers, and maintain confidentiality. Referrals to community resources will be made as needed. Marginal duties include participating in interdisciplinary meetings, representing the organization at community meetings, planning and participating in community outreach, and assisting in the orientation and training of 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.
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.
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.
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.

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.