Birth Doula (AmeriCorps)

About the position

The Birth Doula (AmeriCorps) position at Sea Mar Community Health Centers is a temporary service role focused on providing comprehensive support to mothers during their pregnancy, labor, and postpartum periods. The role involves working closely with Maternity Support Services in Seattle, offering emotional, physical, and educational assistance to clients. The position requires participation in training and community service projects, and it emphasizes the importance of sensitivity and independence in a demanding on-call schedule.

Responsibilities

• Participate in mandatory trainings, service projects, and team-building activities throughout the service term.
• Schedule appointments and navigate patients through health system barriers.
• Initiate communication with patients and make supported referrals to address their needs.
• Provide emotional, physical, moral, and educational support to mothers, especially when family members are unavailable.
• Attend prenatal meetings to establish patients' birth preferences and requirements.
• Remain with the mother throughout labor, providing support during childbirth and in the immediate postpartum period.
• Visit the home of the mother post-discharge to assist with baby care while the mother heals.
• Provide continuous doula services that meet the DONA International Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics.

Requirements

• Must be at least 17 years of age at the commencement of service; or under special circumstances, be an out-of-school youth 16 years of age.
• High school diploma or GED, or agree to obtain prior to using the education award; or obtain a waiver under special circumstances.
• Must be a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident of the United States.
• Ability to interpret documents such as safety rules and procedure manuals.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to compile and utilize information effectively.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision, use good judgment, meet deadlines, and prioritize workloads.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism in all interactions.
• Computer literate with good mathematical skills; experience in Windows Office programs preferred.
• Ability to solve problems and reason deductively, knowing when to seek help.

Nice-to-haves

• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred, not required.

Benefits

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Prescription coverage
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)