Community-Based Doula

Great Lakes Bay Health Centers•Saginaw, MI

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

This role involves providing comprehensive support to assigned families throughout their pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postpartum journey. The Community-Based Doula will initiate contact early in pregnancy, provide in-home visits, prepare clients for childbirth and new parenting roles, and offer continuous emotional and practical support. The position requires diligent documentation, collaboration with medical providers and community partners, and maintaining client confidentiality. The role also includes advocating for the mother-baby pair's medical and social needs and making appropriate referrals to community resources.

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.
Full-time/Part-time; flexible and varied hours.
Must maintain regular and timely attendance.
Some evenings and weekends may be required.
Reliable transportation, valid driver’s license, and liability auto insurance is required.
May require travel within service area and between GLBHC site locations.
High School graduate or equivalent (for CHW tier).
Graduate of MDHHS-approved community health worker (CHW)/community health representative (CHR) training program or must complete within 9 months of hire (for CHW tier).
Current MDHHS CHW/CHR certification (if already completed a training program prior to hire) (for CHW tier).
Required to maintain a CPR/BLS certification (for CHW tier).
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 (for CHW tier).
Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred (for CHW tier).

Nice To Haves

Lactation Counselor certification is preferred.

Responsibilities

Initiate contact as early in pregnancy as possible with assigned families.
Reliably attend scheduled appointments and have timely availability and accessibility for assigned families.
Visit pregnant and parenting women in their homes and other settings based on client preference and safety.
Use provided tools including birth plans, techniques, and materials to prepare women for hospital labor and delivery experiences and for new parenting role.
Attend and support the mother and family through labor and delivery and the few hours after delivery.
Utilize 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.
Attempt to visit the mother-baby pair after hospital discharge or per client preference.
Attempt to maintain postpartum contact to support breastfeeding, guide infant care, and provide continued emotional support for up to 12 months.
Rely on doula training, experiences, and resources to advocate and monitor mother/ baby pair’s medical and social needs.
Develop 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.
Maintain confidentiality of families served.
Make appropriate referrals to community resources as needed.
Participate in interdisciplinary and/or interagency meetings.
Represent GLBHC at community meetings as needed.
Responsible for the planning and participation in community outreach activities, health fairs and other GLBHC supported events.
Assist in the orientation and training of newly hired Community-Based Doulas/Perinatal CHWs.
Perform other duties as assigned.