Birth Doula - Nights

Under general supervision, provides continuous emotional and physical support for a woman in labor and her immediate family. Provides support for the duration of the labor into the early postpartum period.

Education:
HS or GED

Licensure:

* Heart Saver (CPR Certification)

* Certification to include: attendance of an approved Birth Doula Training Course and 3 independent, evaluated and documented births (not including your own physical deliveries)

Experience:
Experience providing continuous labor support under the supervision of a nurse or nurse midwife and /or licensed Obstetrician with a minimum of three well documented clients after taking a Doula Training Course.

Skills:

• Knowledge of childbirth theory and practice
• Work experience in labor and delivery or previous childbirth experience
• Ability to effectively communicate with expectant couples and healthcare providers in stressful situations
• Non-judgmental guidance for pain management
• Ability to manage many tasks simultaneously
• Knowledge of cultural and religious birth traditions with the ability to support and respect patient's goals and potential restrictions.

Patient & Workplace Safety:

• Employee has knowledge and understanding of patient and workforce safety as it relates to job duties.

Patient Population:

• Demonstrates competency in the delivery of care and applies the knowledge to meet age-specific needs if applicable.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assists the laboring woman, partner, family with:
  • Supporting patient choices
  • Breathing, relaxation, and guided imagery
  • Physical comfort measures for pain relief
  • Obtaining necessary information to make good decisions during labor
• Maintains a continuous presence with the laboring woman/partner throughout labor and delivery beginning within 2 hours of patient being admitted or when labor begins to progress, and doula is contacted once patient is admitted to GBMC
• Provides emotional support through encouragement, praise, and respite care during labor
• Facilitates communication between the laboring woman, partner, and health care providers
• At all times, requests permission for position mobility through the medical staff
• Promotes family-infant attachment in the postpartum period
• Offers breast feeding support and guidance if patient chooses to breastfeed
• Communicates in writing, the birth experience and outcome to doula coordinator within 48 hours of the delivery
• Communicates verbally to doula coordinator the outcome of the birth, expresses the relationship formed with the family and describes areas of potential improvement and or communication strengths
• Contacts family with a follow up phone call and offers postpartum support contact information through the GBMC Doula Touch Program

All roles must demonstrate GBMC Values:

Respect

• I will treat everyone with courtesy. I will foster a healing environment.
• Treats others with fairness, kindness, and respect for personal dignity and privacy.
• Listens and responds appropriately to others' needs, feelings, and capabilities.

Excellence

• I will strive for superior performance in every aspect of my work. I will recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of others.
• Meets and/or exceeds customer expectations.
• Actively pursues learning and self-development.
• Pays attention to detail; follows through.

Accountability

• I will be professional in the way I act, look and speak. I will take ownership to solve problems.
• Sets a positive, professional example for others.
• Takes ownership of problems and does what is needed to solve them.
• Appropriately plans and utilizes required resources for various job duties.

Reports to work regularly and on time

• Reports to work regularly and on time.

Teamwork

• I will be engaged and collaborative. I will keep people informed.
• Works cooperatively and collaboratively with others for the success of the team.
• Addresses and resolves conflict in a positive way.
• Seeks out the ideas of others to reach the best solutions.
• Acknowledges and celebrates the contribution of others.

Ethical Behavior

• I will always act with honesty and integrity. I will protect the patient.
• Demonstrates honesty, integrity and good judgment.
• Respects the cultural, psychosocial, and spiritual needs of patients/families/coworkers.

Results

• I will set goals and measure outcomes that support organizational goals. I will give and accept help to achieve goals.
• Embraces change and improvement in the work environment.
• Continuously seeks to improve the quality of products/services.
• Displays flexibility in dealing with new situations or obstacles.
• Achieves results on…