POSITION TITLE: Community-Based Doula/ Perinatal Community Health Worker (CHW)
RESPONSIBLE TO: Manager of Doula/Perinatal Community Health Workers
DEPARTMENT/SITE: Women’s Care Bay City & Old Town
STATUS: Non-Exempt, Hourly
All the criteria-based duties and standards within the document will be performed according to established policies, procedures, and guidelines within the department/site and GLBHC.
JOB SUMMARY
The Community-Based Doula/Perinatal Community Health Worker (CHW) is a two-tier position in which the ideal candidate successfully obtains doula certification within three months of date of hire with the option to receive CHW training/certification within 9 months of date of hire. Tier One doula position is part-time hours, while Tier Two doula/CHW position is full-time hours. The Community-Based Doula/Perinatal CHW will ideally be an individual from the same community as the targeted population who shares a lived experience.
This is a non-licensed public health provider who facilitates access to needed health and social services for beneficiaries. CHW services focus on preventing disease, disability, and other chronic health conditions or their progression, and promoting physical and mental health. Specifically, Perinatal CHWs provide services to pregnant patients and up to 12 months postpartum. This position will assist these women with navigating the health care system, coordinating care, connecting to community resources, and providing health promotion and education.
ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES
- Participates as a functional member of the multidisciplinary care team within the OB/GYN, Primary Care, and/or Behavioral Health departments. Specializes in patient and family engagement in the process of assessing individual strengths and needs. Utilizes knowledge and skills associated with cultural competency to achieve trust and build supportive relationships with patients. May assist in the identification of at-risk patients and works closely with obstetric providers and behavioral health specialists.
- Assists with initial client/patient intake and assessment to identify healthcare and social service needs utilizing Social Determinants of Health guidelines. Is an active participant in care team meetings, huddles, and other communication to discuss patient care and exchange relevant information in the process of defining and reviewing care plans and other patient goals.
- Responsible for the ongoing communication with patients in the form of face-to-face encounters, home visits, phone and/or electronic means, etc., to support the patient accessibility to care which may include barriers to care. The Perinatal CHW is a key resource to the care team in communicating updated information on current outcomes or achievement related to outlined care plan goals or other agreed upon objectives for healthy outcomes.
- Provides guidance and support for a patient needing assistance in the health plan application process. This may include information and support in directing patients to the Social Security Administration, Department of Health and Human Services, and educate and support needs for securing transportation. Perinatal CHWs provide ongoing information on how to successfully navigate the GLBHC community health center environment but also community resources and services to enable and enhance individual success.
- Provides supportive health counseling, education and information, social support, and advocacy for patients and families. Assists patients in building their individual capacity to address health and social issues. Supports the patient’s needs through education coordination along with the care team to meet the patient’s medical needs.
- Responsible for the comprehensive, accurate, timely and appropriate documentation including electronic data entry within all applicable systems including but not limited to: the electronic medical record, data management systems and any others as required by contract or requirements.
- Responsible for outreach as defined by our third-party pater incentive and value-based program requirement and agreement. Contacts assigned patients needing services based upon payer reports and other GLBHC analytic reports. Responsible for the tracking and follow-up related to patient appointments, emergency department use and missed or canceled patient appointments.
MARGINAL JOB DUTIES
- Participates in interdisciplinary and/or interagency meetings.
- Represents GLBHC at community meetings as needed.
- Responsible for the planning and participation in community outreach activities, health fairs and other GLBHC supported events.
- Assists in the orientation and training of newly hired Community-Based Doulas/Perinatal CHWs.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
JOB SPECIFICATIONS
Tier One – Doula:
- Education: High School graduate or equivalent. Graduate of MDHHS-approved doula training program or must complete within 3 months of hire.
- Licensure: Current MDHHS doula certification (if already completed a training program prior to hire) specializing in birth, postpartum, and/or bereavement doula services. Lactation Counselor certification is preferred.
- Experience: Extensive childbirth experience. Ability to demonstrate evidence of prior successful pregnancy, labor & delivery, and/or postpartum support experience.
- Skills: Must possess computer skills. Problem identification and resolution, working toward mutually beneficial situations. Self-motivated. Decision maker. Able to function with minimal daily supervision. Organized and detail oriented.
- Interpersonal Skills: Able to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, with a diverse population. Must possess appropriate professional attitude and behavior.
- Physical Effort: Medium.
- Hours of Work: Full-time/Part-time; flexible and varied. Must maintain regular and timely attendance. Some evenings and weekends may be required.
- Travel: Reliable transportation, valid driver’s license, and liability auto insurance is required. May require travel within service area and between GLBHC site locations. Reimbursement in accordance with GLBHC travel policy.
