Volunteer AmeriCorps Birth Doula

Americorps Service Member Birth Doula

Member will train as a birthing doula with the Simkin Center at Bastyr University. Member serves clients by providing education and assistance throughout their pregnancy and birth experience. Member meets with clients during their pregnancy, provides support during labor, and visits during post-partum period. This position requires sensitivity, a willingness to work independently, and ability to handle a demanding on-call schedule.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Participate in mandatory trainings, service projects and team building activities throughout their 10-11 month full time term of service.
• Schedule appointments and navigate patients through health system barriers
• Initiate communication with patients making supported referrals to address the full spectrum of patient needs
• Provide the mother with emotional, physical, moral, and educational support, especially during times with the father and other close relatives are unavailable.
• Attend prenatal meetings to get to know each other and establish patient's birth preferences and other requirements.
• Remain with the mother throughout labor and providing physical and emotional support during childbirth and in the immediate postpartum.
• Visit the home of the mother once she has been discharged and assisting with the care of the baby while the mother heals.
• Provide continuous doula services that meet the DONA International Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics to women during their births.

Qualifications and/or Requirements:

• 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 at the commencement of service.
• Have a high school diploma or GED or agree to obtain prior to using the education award; or under special circumstances obtain a waiver.
• Be a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident of the United States
• Must have the ability to interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals; possess the ability to write routine reports and correspondence; ability to communicate effectively with clients or employees of the organization.
• Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills, including ability to compile, interpret, and utilize information; and to communicate effectively with people of all backgrounds and educational levels.
• Must be able to work with minimal supervision, use good judgment, meet deadlines, and prioritize workloads.
• Must be able to maintain confidentiality.
• Must be well organized and have good attention to detail.
• Must be able to maintain professionalism and appropriate boundaries in all interactions.
• Must be computer literate and have good mathematical skills. Experience in Windows Office programs preferred.
• Must be able to solve problems and reason deductively, but know when to seek help.
• Bilingual English/Spanish required

Bilingual Spanish Required. Reliable Transportation required.

Salary - Salary Plan, 850.00 USD Biweekly