Doula

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

This individual works with pregnant and postpartum women and their babies to promote healthy pregnancies, breastfeeding, and parent-infant attachment. While establishing a trusting relationship with mothers, the doula will provide culturally sensitive prenatal, labor, and postpartum support and education. This individual will focus especially on birthing support during each home visit and will intend on being present during the labor and delivery process.  Individual will be a part of the Centering Pregnancy program acting as cofacilitator providing education and support throughout pregnancy.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Initiates contact as early in pregnancy as possible with assigned families.
2. Reliably attends scheduled appointments and have timely availability and accessibility for assigned families.
3. Visits pregnant and parenting women in their homes and other settings based on client preference and safety.
4. Uses provided tools including birth plans, techniques, and materials to prepare women for hospital labor and delivery experiences and for new parenting role.
5. Attends and supports the mother and family through labor and delivery and the few hours after delivery.
6. 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.
7. Attempts to visit the mother-baby pair after hospital discharge or per client preference.
8. Attempts to maintain postpartum contact to support breastfeeding, guide infant care, and provide continued emotional support for up to 12 months.
9. Relies on doula training, experiences, and resources to advocate and monitor mother/ baby pair’s medical and social needs.
10. 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.
11. Maintains confidentiality of families served.
12. Makes appropriate referrals to community resources as needed.
13. Cofacilitate Centering Pregnancy sessions and provide evidenced based education.
14. Assist patients with accessing community resources
15. Work with community partners to provide additional education during centering sessions
16. Arrange transportation for patients in centering pregnancy program if needed
17. Conduct data collection for attendance
18. Responsible for centering schedule and follow up calls for missed appointments

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

1. Participates in interdisciplinary and/or interagency meetings.
2. Represents CMU health at community meetings as needed.
3. Responsible for the planning and participation in community outreach activities, health fairs and other CMU Health centering pregnancy supported events.
4. Performs other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

1. Education: High School graduate or equivalent.  Graduate of MDHHS-approved doula training program or must complete within 3 months of hire.
2. 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.
3. Experience: Extensive childbirth experience.  Ability to demonstrate evidence of prior successful pregnancy, labor & delivery, and/or postpartum support experience.
4. 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. 
5. Interpersonal Skills: Able to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, with a diverse population.  Must possess appropriate professional attitude and behavior.

CMU is an AA/EO institution, providing equal opportunity to all persons, including minorities, females, veterans, and individuals with disabilities.