Job Title: Community Birth Doula
Location: San Antonio Area
Position Type: Contract
Company: Latched Support
About Us:
In 2021, San Antonio had 81,000 live births. However, despite a rapidly growing population, San Antonio remains one of the highest infant and maternal morbidity rates in the nation at 6.2 per 1,000 live births. These numbers become even more bleak when they highlight Black and Latinx mothers and infants who statistically experience higher rates of infant mortality, preterm birth, low birth weight, pregnancy depression, postpartum depression, as well as severe maternal mortality and morbidity than other racial groups, according to Texas Health and Human Services.
With empathy and relatability at our core, Latched Support works toward community enhancement by:
- Providing accessible and evidence-based parenting education to growing families from 0-36 months.
- Advocating health equity as registered nurses, health professionals, and trained staff.
- Eliminating health disparities to improve outcomes for families.
- Instilling grassroots approach to support families at every milestone.
- Breaking generational traumas and prevent child maltreatment.
In 2022, through our Parenting Education Program (PEP), Birth Advocate Pregnancy Program, and Material Assistance Program, Latched Support’s impact included providing 124,833 minutes of parenting education, 2,643 classes and workshops; inspecting and replacing 359 car seats; distributing 89,160 diapers, food, prenatal and postpartum supplies; completing 2,292 prenatal appointments; and serving 3,533 children, 764 mothers, and 106 fathers, with 82% clientele below the poverty level.
Job Description:
A qualified Doula is able to be immersed in the world of birth work by encouraging and promoting empowerment through pregnancy, providing physical, emotional, and educational support to the birthing parent and their families during prenatal, labor and postpartum care periods in Communities and Maternal Deserts. In this position, the doula provides support throughout the pregnancy and up to three (3) months postpartum.
Posting Specifics
- Benefits Eligible: No
- Shift Details: Prenatal and postpartum visits will be scheduled, labor is on call
- Unit/Location: San Antonio Area
- Caregiver must live in the area in order to support the needs of San Antonio area residents
Latched Support Doula expectations include
- Listening to the concerns and questions of the birthing parent and family in a kind, non-judgmental manner and offering the best possible advice based on your knowledge of the latest high-quality evidence in relevant pregnancy, birth, and postpartum topics. This includes advice in conjunction with the best practices maintained by the care team.
- Staying within the scope of practice as a Doula
- Attending prenatal meetings (Up to 2 prenatal visits), including at least one face to face visit to develop a relationship with the patient, immediate family, establish birth preferences and goals and develop a birthing plan.
- Remaining with the mother throughout the active labor phase and providing physical and emotional support during and after childbirth if included in the patients' preferences. (Up to 12-hour labor support and Doula attendance at labor and delivery.) Providing practical support and advice to the mother after childbirth. (Up to 2 postpartum visits) Visiting the home of the patient once they have been discharged and assisting with the care of the baby while the mother heals. (Example could be helping organize the nursery, running an errand, assisting with lactation or feeding needs and / or meal preparation.)
- Keeping up to date on childbirth support, birthing techniques, and pre- and post-natal care by conducting research, networking with other Doulas and mothers, and maintaining regular education session attendance.
Minimum Qualifications
- DONA International, ICEA Birth Doula (or comparable) Certification
- Previous Childbirth Experience
- Current Driver's License, Reliable Transportation and Maintains Current Insurance
- Availability to support birthing parents in labor whenever labor occurs daytime, nighttime, weekends, and holidays
- Ability to travel throughout the Rural Community of the program and complete home visits
- Approved to provide doula services in San Antonio birthing hospitals
- Commitment to and passion for supporting birthing parents and their families
- The ability to remain calm, multitask and provide emotional support and incorporate cultural competency with all birthing parents
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to build strong relationships within the professional birth community
Physical Requirements:
- Ongoing need for employee to see and read information and assess patient needs.
- Frequent interactions with patient care providers, patients, and visitors that require employee to verbally communicate as well as hear and understand spoken information, alarms, needs, and issues quickly and accurately, particularly during emergency situations.
- Manual dexterity of hands and fingers to manipulate complex and delicate equipment with precision and accuracy. This includes frequent computer use and typing for documenting patient care, accessing needed information, etc.
- Expected to lift and utilize full range of movement to transfer patients. Will also bend to retrieve, lift, and carry supplies and equipment. Typically includes items of varying weights, up to and including heavy items.
- Need to walk and assist with transporting/ambulating patients and obtaining and distributing supplies and equipment. This includes pushing/pulling portable equipment, including heavy items. Often required to navigate crowded and busy rooms (full of equipment, power cords on the floor, etc.).
- May be expected to stand in a stationary position for an extended period of time.
Job Type: Contract
Pay: From $25.00 per hour
Work Location: On the road
