Per Diem Doula - Samaritan Hospital

Trinity Health•Troy, NY

11h•Onsite

About The Position

A doula is a non-clinical companion who supports an individual through labor, birth, and the postpartum period. Doulas are trained to provide continuous, individualized care as well as physical and emotional support to birthing people and their families. In close collaboration with the birthing team (midwives, nurses, and physicians) doulas work to offer safe, high quality and culturally sensitive care to all patients giving birth at SPHP at every stage of their labor, birth/postpartum process. Upon hire, doulas can enjoy flexible scheduling, inspirational leadership, supportive colleagues, and much more! The role of the doula is to provide support and education, not to perform clinical tasks or give medical advice. Services provided during labor and delivery may include being present at the birth, offering comfort measures, acting as an advocate, and facilitating communication with hospital staff. Postpartum services may include discussing the birth experience, importance of follow-up care, supporting infant feeding, ensuring adequate rest, assisting with prioritizing help, understanding baby cues, demonstrating infant care, and educating on infant carrying devices.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED
Doula certification from an accredited Doula training program.
1 year in childbirth education, labor support, or breastfeeding education and support
DONA International certification or obtain within six months from hire
Basic computer literacy.
Ability to communicate effectively and possess excellent customer service skills.

Responsibilities

Provide continuous, individualized care as well as physical and emotional support to birthing people and their families.
Collaborate with the birthing team (midwives, nurses, and physicians) to offer safe, high quality and culturally sensitive care.
Be present at the birth and remain through the immediate postpartum period, at the birthing person's request.
Offer help and guidance on measures for comfort and pain relief such as breathing, relaxation, movement, positioning and comforting touch.
Act as an advocate, provide emotional support and act as a facilitator to assist in communication with hospital staff.
Provide immediate postpartum support and initiation of breastfeeding, as needed (if applicable and trained to provide such breastfeeding support).
Discuss the birth experience.
Discuss importance of postpartum physician/midwife follow up.
Ask if the infant's first wellness checkup has been made and, if not, encourage the member to do so.
Be supportive of preferred infant feeding method. If breastfeeding, provide support (if so trained) with latching and positioning.
Discuss importance of adequate rest for the member.
Assist in prioritizing offers of help from friends and extended family.
Assist the member in understanding baby cues and suggest techniques for soothing the baby.
Demonstrate and have the member provide a return demonstration of infant care.
Educate the member on infant carrying devices available.