LOCATION: Hybrid/Newark, NJ
CLASSIFICATION: Full-Time- 37.5 hours/week
ANNUAL SALARY: $47,000
JOB SUMMARY:
The Community Doula will support pregnant individuals giving birth at Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center or University Hospital in Newark, or Trinitas Regional Medical Center in Elizabeth. They will provide culturally sensitive doula support during pregnancy, labor, birth, and the postpartum period, promote breastfeeding, and assist with parent/infant attachment. They will also assess the birthing individuals’ resource needs and provide program referrals as needed.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
- Provide emotional, informational, and physical support to the pregnant person and their family during pregnancy, labor, birth, and the postpartum period
- Conduct at least four prenatal and at least four postnatal in-person visits of the birthing parent (additional visits may be necessary according to the birthing individuals needs), including attendance at delivery, in accordance with program and billing protocol
- Support the birthing person by increasing their ability to advocate for themselves, especially during their pregnancy, birth and postpartum period
- Maintain regular communication which may include, evening and weekends with the birthing individual
- Available on call (24/7) two weeks before and after the estimated due date of the pregnant person
- Stay up to two hours after birth to assist with infant feeding, or any other need the parent may have and conduct first postpartum visit before hospital discharge, when permitted, by parent
- Ensure the birthing person is receiving the postpartum support needed (i.e., awareness of postpartum warning signs, self-care techniques, lactation resources and support, and strategies to optimize parent/infant bonding and attachment, )
- Discuss perinatal mental health with birthing parent(s), and screen for depression and anxiety during pregnancy and the postpartum period (and refer to proper services, when necessary).
- Support and accompany the birthing individual to their first postpartum visit with their medical provider, when permitted
- Assess insurance eligibility before visits and prior to delivery, and complete program and billing forms required for each pre/postnatal visit including birth support, within 48 hours (about 2 days), of encounter
- Identify opportunities for community engagement, collaboration, and education (i.e., CenteringPregnancy, Federally Qualified Health Centers, other prenatal care providers, ConnectingNJ, home visitation programs, etc.) and attend provider and community events and programs to raise awareness about the community doula
- Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with staff at birthing facilities and community-based organizations, in the program
- Participate in clinic, hospital and community-based meetings as required
- Maintain accurate documentation of the labor and delivery process, including pre and postnatal visits with the birthing person, using program data collection and billing forms, and complete timely and accurate data entry into program
- Meet with the Community Doula Supervisor regularly for reflective supervision, team meetings, program progress, such as successes, challenges, and data collection
- Assist in the completion of monthly and quarterly program
- Attend trainings and conferences as required by the organization
- Handle other assignments as requested by supervisor
JOB REQUIREMENTS:
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- Resident of Greater Newark area (preferred), or immediate surrounding area
- Bilingual in Creole and/or and/or Spanish.
- Have obtained certification from the HealthConnect One training program or other NJ DMAHS approved community doula training program
- Have reliable transportation and ability to travel to various clinic/hospital locations and birthing parents’ homes
- Enrolled as a doula provider under NJ Family Care (preferred)
- Current and valid First Aid/CPR Certification (preferred)
- Comfortable with keeping detailed documentation and conducting accurate data entry
- Experience providing community education, home visiting and/or supportive services for birthing individuals, and families
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Strong organizational and record keeping
- Computer literacy in MS Office
All PMCH employees must comply with the guidelines of PMCH’s Immunization Policy.