Doula - Labor & Delivery

Lexington Health is a comprehensive network of care that includes six community medical and urgent care centers, nearly 80 physician practices, more than 9,000 health care professionals and Lexington Medical Center, a 607-bed teaching hospital in West Columbia, South Carolina. It was selected by Modern Healthcare as one of the Best Places to Work in Healthcare and was first in the state to achieve Magnet with Distinction status for excellence in nursing care.

Consistently ranked as best in the Columbia Metro area by U.S. News & World Report, Lexington Health delivers more than 4,000 babies each year, performs more than 34,000 surgeries annually and is the region's third largest employer.

Lexington Health also includes an accredited Cancer Center of Excellence, the state’s first Heart

CARE Center, the largest skilled nursing facility in the Carolinas, and an Alzheimer’s care center. Its postgraduate medical education programs include family medicine and transitional year residencies, as well as an informatics fellowship.

The labor doula provides emotional support and physical comfort measures during the childbirth process. The postpartum doula provides emotional and educational care to mothers and families during the postpartum period.

• Minimum Education:
  
  High School Diploma or Equivalent (May be considered if currently enrolled in GED classes)
• Minimum Years of
  
  Experience:
  
  None
• Substitutable
  
  Education & Experience:
  
  None
• Required Certifications/Licensure:
  None
• Required Training:
  Completion of Certified Doula Training workshop

• After completion of a labor support training seminar, the Doula will perform assigned labor support tasks under the direction and supervision of a designated Associate Registered Nurse.
• Demonstrates competence to provide developmentally appropriate care/treatment for the following patient populations:
  Infant (Birth to 1 year);
  Child (1 year through 12 years);
  Adolescent (13 years through 17 years);
  Adult (18 years to 65 years);
  Geriatric (Over 65 years)
• Recognizes need for safety measures and takes appropriate action to prevent injury.
• Organizes the patient's environment and assists with personal hygiene.
• Assists patients in ambulation; positions patients for comfort.
• Assists patient and/or family in using non-pharmacological measures for pain management.
• Provides labor support in a non-judgmental manner.
• Respects patient/family wishes for their childbirth experience.
• Performs follow-up visit with patients.
• Makes home visits as requested by patients
• Offers education, companionship and nonjudgmental support during the postpartum period.
• Assists with newborn care, family adjustment, meal preparation and light household tidying.
• Offers evidence-based information on infant feedings, emotional and physician recovery from birth, infant soothing and coping skills for new parents and makes appropriate referrals when necessary.
• Will demonstrate those behaviors, philosophies and values which serve to uphold the ideals and enhance the image of Lexington Medical Center.
• Maintains confidentiality of patients, personnel and system information.
• Maintains and respects patients' privacy.
• Respects patient "Bill of Rights".
• Functions as patient advocate.
• Maintains a courteous and professional manner in dealing with patients, visitors, medical staff and fellow employees.
• Presents professional appearance in dress and grooming:
  Adheres to Dress Code;
  Maintains personal hygiene and cleanliness appropriate to contact with patients, visitors and co-workers.
• Participates in peer review. Demonstrates responsibility for sharing with peer’s constructive feedback regarding their practice.
• Attendance and participation in 50% of doula meetings. Demonstrates initiative in getting information regarding content of missed meetings, i.e. reading minutes.
• Demonstrates receptiveness to change and maintains a positive attitude through the change process.
• Works in a cooperative manner, which fosters favorable relations between employees and patients, patients’ families, visitors, fellow employees, and the medical staff. Accepts chain of command, supervision, and constructive criticism.
• Exhibits…