Doula/Comm Health Worker
Elkhart-IN-46514-United States
Reports to a designated Supervisor/Manager (Community Impact). Functions as a member of the maternal care coordination team with a primary focus on emotional and physical support of pregnant patients, pregnancy and birthing education, pre- and post-natal patient care, and assistance in navigating the system. The maternal care coordination team focuses on women who present to Beacon's Emergency Departments and Medical Group offices with significant needs with the aim to improve outcomes for low-income, under resourced women in our communities.
MISSION, VALUES and SERVICE GOALS
- MISSION: We deliver outstanding care, inspire health, and connect with heart.
- VALUES: Trust. Respect. Integrity. Compassion.
- SERVICE GOALS: Personally connect. Keep everyone informed. Be on their team.
As a Doula meets with pregnant Hispanic women regarding services by:
- Developing a relationship with the potential patient in order to identify any needs they may have for a Doula.
- Providing information regarding the continuous physical, social, emotional, and educational supports that the Doula can provide a woman before, during and after birth.
As a Doula assists the patient with a plan of birth and healthcare needs by:
- Giving tours of the facility to the patient/family.
- Assisting those patients, or family members, who have limited English-speaking/writing skills with the completion of forms (i.e., registration, medical history, etc.).
- Ensuring that all paperwork has been completed (i.e., pre-admission paperwork, patient chart, interview summary, medical history, etc.).
- Assisting the patient during the process of giving birth by functioning as a Labor Coach. Instructing the patient how to breastfeed. Assisting as appropriate.
- Acting as the family's liaison throughout the inpatient stay in the Women and Children's Services at Memorial Hospital. Providing follow-up calls and letters for patient/family after discharge, to ensure understanding of instruction and medication compliance.
Facilitates communication between patient/family and healthcare providers by:
- Interpreting accurately and completely what is being said by patient/family and health care providers.
- Intervening as appropriate to resolve or prevent communication problems between patient, and/or their family and Hospital staff (i.e., assisting in the clarification of a concept when effective communication is compromised).
- Informing patient and health care providers, in cooperation with existing hospital departments of appropriate services and resources (i.e., social and health service agencies), to support the patient's needs. Responding when alternatives are not available.
- Collecting data and channeling healthcare problems to the appropriate hospital departments and other available resources (i.e., social and healthcare service agencies); also initiating recommendations if appropriate.
Supports the management team by:
- Collecting data as required by the policies/procedures of Beacon Health System to maintain the required records, reports, statistics, etc. Also preparing reports for the Manager as required.
- Acting as a liaison between community healthcare clinics and providers in accessing Memorial services. Performs other functions to maintain personal competence and contribute to the overall effectiveness of the department by:
- Completing other job-related assignments and special projects as directed.
ORGANIZATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Associate complies with the following organizational requirements:
- Attends and participates in department meetings and is accountable for all information shared.
- Completes mandatory education, annual competencies, and department specific education within established timeframes.
- Completes annual employee health requirements within established timeframes.
- Maintains license/certification, registration in good standing throughout fiscal year.
- Direct patient care providers are required to maintain current BCLS (CPR), and other certifications as required by position/department.
- Consistently utilizes appropriate universal precautions, protective equipment, and ergonomic techniques to protect patient and self.
- Adheres to regulatory agency requirements, survey process and compliance.
- Complies with established organization and department policies.
- Available to work overtime in addition to working additional or other shifts and schedules when required.
Commitment to Beacon's six-point Operating System, referred to as The Beacon Way:
- Leverage innovation everywhere.
- Cultivate human talent.
- Embrace performance improvement.
- Build greatness through accountability.
- Use information to improve and advance.
- Communicate clearly and continuously.
Education and Experience
- The knowledge, skills and abilities as indicated below are normally acquired through the successful completion of a high school diploma (or equivalent).
- Completion of a Certified Doula training course. If not currently certified, must obtain certification within 3 months of employment.
- Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) within 12 months of employment.
- Community Health Worker Training (CHW) within 12 months of employment.
- 1 year of experience preferred.
Knowledge & Skills
- Works as part of a multidisciplinary team (providers and support staff) in the outpatient and inpatient settings
- Provides emotional, physical and educational support to the expectant parent(s) during prenatal, labor and birth, and postpartum.
- Creates and utilizes a birth plan with expectant parent(s)
- Assist patient with plans for hospital discharge and transportation home.
- Provide postpartum doula services after birth (4 postpartum visits per client)
- Maintain trauma-informed care with a focus on maternal and infant mental health.
- Perform screening assessments including a Social Determinants of Health Screening, maternal, child, family, and supports, referring to specialty providers when indicated.
- Demonstrates basic knowledge of family communication skills, community agencies, services, and resources available to clients and their families.
- Requires basic knowledge of medical terminology.
- Requires self-motivation, good organization, and time management skills.
- Requires the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients/patients, families, staff, medical providers, and the public.
- Demonstrates the communication skills (both verbal and written) necessary to interact effectively with diverse populations; also requires the skills needed to communicate in a clear and effective manner.
- Requires the ability to use good judgment to maintain one's composure in any stressful situations.
- Demonstrates proficiency in basic computer skills (i.e., data entry, word processing and spreadsheets).
- Fluency in English, other languages a plus
Working Conditions
- Works in an office, patientcare environment and in the community.
- Some travel to various community sites is required.
- May need to vary days and hours scheduled (i.e., working12-hour shifts), including working evenings and/or additional hours as determined by department needs.
Physical Demands
- Requires the physical ability and stamina (i.e., standing for long periods of times, walking moderate distances, etc.) to perform the essential functions of the position.
PI273789001
