Community-Based Doula

Responsibilities

• Initiates contact as early in pregnancy as possible with assigned families.
• Reliably attends scheduled appointments and maintains 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.

Requirements

Tier One – Doula

• Education: High School graduate or equivalent. Graduate of MDHHS-approved doula training program or must complete within 3 months of hire.
• Licensure: Current MDHHS doula certification (if already completed a training program prior to hire) specializing in birth, postpartum, and/or bereavement doula services. Lactation Counselor certification is preferred.
• Experience: Extensive childbirth experience. Ability to demonstrate evidence of prior successful pregnancy, labor & delivery, and/or postpartum support experience.
• Skills: 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.
• Interpersonal Skills: Able to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, with a diverse population. Must possess appropriate professional attitude and behavior.
• Physical Effort: Medium.

Tier Two – CHW

• Education: 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.
• Licensure: Current MDHHS CHW/CHR certification (if already completed a training program prior to hire). Required to maintain a CPR/BLS certification.
• Experience: 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
• Skills: 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. Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.
• Interpersonal Skills: Able to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, with a diverse population. Must possess appropriate professional attitude and behavior.
• Physical Effort: Medium.

Schedule

• Full-time/Part-time; flexible and varied.
• Must maintain regular and timely attendance.
• Some evenings and weekends may be required.

Travel

• Reliable transportation, valid driver’s license, and liability auto insurance is required.
• May require travel within service area and between GLBHC site locations.
• Reimbursement in accordance with GLBHC travel policy.