Lead Doula, CMH Doula Program

Lead Doula

Provides non-clinical and culturally relevant physical, emotional, and evidence-based informational support to laboring patients with primary responsibility to patients enrolled in the Orlando Health Center for Maternal Health (CMH). The Lead Doula provides direct support to patients during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum, and oversees and mentors a team of doulas, ensuring compassionate, high-quality, evidence-based care is delivered. The primary objective of the CMH Doula Program is to improve obstetrical outcomes among our target population, underserved women who desire doula services, but cannot afford the cost.

Education/Training: High school diploma or GED required. Bachelor's degree preferred. Approved birth doula training required (e.g., DONA International, NDCB). Licensure/Certification: Certified birth doula required.

Experience: Three (3) years of experience in childbirth and doula care. Experience working in the community, especially with women and families (preferred).

Essential Functions:

• Leads daily operations of the doula program, including scheduling, resource allocations, and performance monitoring.
• Trains and mentors new doulas, providing ongoing staff development.
• Oversees outreach and recruitment strategies.
• Reviews and improves staff reports, client care plans, and documentation.
• Maintains client files, documentation, and data entry.
• Stays current on childbirth, prenatal, and postpartum care research and best practices.
• Addresses barriers to care, ensuring equitable access.
• Supports patient-centered communication between patients, family, and healthcare teams while maintaining a non-medical role.
• Respects patient autonomy, preferences, and cultural values throughout labor and birth.
• Provides continuous emotional, physical, and informational support to pregnant women and new parents before, during, and after childbirth.
• Conducts a minimum of two prenatal virtual visits and one postpartum virtual visit as part of comprehensive perinatal support services.
• Offers comfort measures such as massage, breathing techniques, and positioning during labor.
• Educates patients on labor stages, pain management, and postpartum recovery.
• Supports breastfeeding, newborn care, and early postpartum adjustment.
• Maintains reasonably regular, punctual attendance consistent with Orlando Health policies, the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards.
• Maintains compliance with all Orlando Health policies and procedures.

Other Related Functions:

• Demonstrates strong verbal and written communication skills and advocates for patients.
• Prioritizes tasks, manages caseloads, and works independently.