Transition of Care Doula

Hackensack Meridian Health•Edison, NJ

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Our team members are the heart of what makes us better. At Hackensack Meridian Health we help our patients live better, healthier lives — and we help one another to succeed. With a culture rooted in connection and collaboration, our employees are team members. Here, competitive benefits are just the beginning. It’s also about how we support one another and how we show up for our community. Together, we keep getting better - advancing our mission to transform healthcare and serve as a leader of positive change. The Transitions of Care Doula is a trained, non-medical professional who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to a birthing person and their family before, during, and shortly after childbirth. This position is a unique, hybrid role that combines traditional doula support with essential care coordination. The primary goal is to help the birthing person have a safe, memorable, and empowering experience by providing personalized care, advocacy, and evidence-based resources. Works to nurture and protect the client's memory of their birth experience.

Requirements

High School diploma, general equivalency diploma (GED), and/or GED equivalent programs.
Minimum of 1 or more years of active experience as a certified Doula in the last 3 years.
This regional position requires reliable transportation for travel throughout the service area and 24/7 availability to provide in-person support for patients during labor.
Knowledge of social needs and their impact on maternal and infant outcomes.
Strong organizational, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to provide culturally competent, patient-centered support with a high degree of empathy and professionalism.
Accustomed to working in a fast-paced team environment, prioritize tasks and act professionally under pressure.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Proficient computer skills that include but are not limited to Microsoft Office and/or Google Suite platforms.
Certified Labor Support Doula or End-of-Life Doula Professional Certification.
BLS AHA Basic Health Care Life Support HCP Certification.

Nice To Haves

Minimum of 3-5 years of clinical or community-based experience as a practicing doula.
Experience working within a hospital or clinical setting.
Experience with electronic health record (EHR) systems, such as EPIC.
Bilingual skills.
Dual certification as both a Birth and Postpartum Doula.
Additional certifications, such as Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC), Childbirth Educator (CBE), or in perinatal mental health.
A professional license in a related field (e.g., LPN, Social Work).
Interpreter training (If bilingual).

Responsibilities

Provide continuous emotional, physical, and informational support to birthing individuals and their families through the prenatal, labor, birth, and postpartum period.
Advocate for patient choices and preferences, communicating effectively with the registered nurse and other members of the clinical care team.
Collaborate with the patient's provider, nurses, and hospital staff to ensure seamless and personalized care.
Provide continuous, uninterrupted support throughout active labor and delivery.
Provides physical support by suggesting position changes, applying counter-pressure and massage, assisting with hydrotherapy (tub/shower when approved by healthcare team), and ensuring the client is hydrated and nourished.
Gives emotional support by providing a calm, reassuring presence, offering encouragement and affirmations, and helping the client work through fear and anxiety.
Assess patients' post-discharge needs, considering social needs, to develop an individualized postpartum transition plan.
Facilitate communication between the family and the healthcare team to remove barriers to a safe and timely discharge.
Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of community resources and provide families with referrals, including but not limited to: OB-Gyn, pediatrician, or other specialists follow-up appointments; Lactation support (IBCLCs, CLCs) and feeding clinics; Behavioral health resources, including support groups; Transportation and financial assistance programs.
Provide patient-centered education on postpartum recovery, newborn care, and early parenthood.
Adhere to all HMH policies and guidelines, including infection control and safety protocols.
Participate in multidisciplinary team rounds to identify and address potential barriers to discharge and patient well-being.
Document all support and resources provided in a timely and professional manner in accordance with department protocols.
Ensure close communication with providers and nurses regarding any modifications to the care plan.
Other duties and/or projects as assigned.
Adheres to HMH Organizational competencies and standards of behavior.