Job Abstract

SUMMARY

This is a grant-funded, term-limited temporary position to cover maternity leave. Funding is by LA Care’s Generating African-American Infant & Nurturers’ Survival Initiative (GAAINS II). This is a hybrid virtual and in-person position located in Los Angeles County, California. Applicants must reside in Los Angeles County, California.

This project will provide postpartum doula in-home supportive services and support by two (2) Postpartum Doulas for 90 African-American birthers/nurturers and infants through a home visitation program for clients and their infants from two days postpartum through eight weeks postpartum. Families will be able to have up to 24 hours of postpartum care in their homes (4 hour or 8-hour sessions). Breastfeeding will be promoted by doulas, with at least 70% of clients using this feeding method for a minimum of six months. Also, assessment for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) will be conducted and referrals shall be made for mental health services if needed.

Families will be able to have up to 24 hours of postpartum care in their homes (4 hour or 8-hour sessions), including overnight stays (10:00 pm-7:00 am), if requested.

Temporary position (15 hours/week)/non-benefit eligible.

Employment is provided by Heluna Health (helunahealth.org).

Interested applicants please submit a resume and cover letter.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Understanding of quality-of-life issues and the impact of social determinants of health and racial justice issues impacting birth outcomes and survival rates of African-American mothers and infants.

• Ability to provide culturally congruent services to African-American mothers and nurturers.

• Work with Program Coordinator and Program Director to implement a plan to enroll 90 African-American mothers and their nurturers who are between two days and three months postpartum into the program providing in-home supportive services during the first 6 months of life.

• Under supervision of Program Coordinator, implement strategies to ensure at least 70% (63 of 90) of African-American mothers participating in the program will exclusively breastfeed their babies for a minimum six months during the child's first year of life.

• Implement plan to deliver strategies to ensure at least 95% (85 of 90) of African- American mothers/nurturers and their babies participating in the program will experience live births and survival through one year post birth.

• Conduct community outreach to recruit clientele eligible for the program. Outreach will be conducted through social media marketing, and virtual sessions over Zoom, as well as outreach and presentations to agencies serving African-American pregnant women.

• Develop a postpartum plan with the family for postpartum services.

• Deliver postpartum and lactation services in clients homes providing breastfeeding support, support for maternal physical recovery, instruction on newborn care, screening for PMADs, and make referrals if needed.

• Identify any abnormal situations occurring in postpartum mother such as excessive postpartum bleeding, breast infection, postpartum depression, or psychosis, etc. and make medical and mental health referrals as needed.

• Provide assessment and plan for maternal recovery; monitor newborn appearance, behavior, and identify any risk factors and make medical referrals if needed.

• Encourage vaccination of newborn and regular checkups with pediatrician.

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Other duties as assigned

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

• Three months' experience as a Postpartum Doula, working with a minimum of two families during the postpartum period, is required.

• Graduate of a Birth Doula and Postpartum Doula or Perinatal Support Specialist training through DONA, ALACE, ToBirth, ICEA, CAPPA, AWMNH, HMHBA, Birthing People Foundation, Full Circle, or other qualified organization or instructor.
• Certification as a Postpartum Doula, is preferred.

• Certification as a Lactation Educator or Lactation Counselor-Educator or Breastfeeding Peer Counselor through any qualified organization such as CAPPA, Breastfeed LA, Le Leche League, WIC, UCLA, etc., is required.

• Postpartum Doula Certification with Lamaze, ICEA, Bradley, HMHBA, CAPPA, ToBirth, etc., is required;

• Three months experience working as a postpartum doula or in-home health visitor providing social services to a diverse population including Black/African American families.

• Demonstrated ability to implement research-based health education strategies and best practices in perinatal health and lactation.

• Ability to plan, coordinate, and organize work projects and meet deadlines.

• Strong interpersonal communication skills and conflict resolution ability.

• Cultural awareness training and anti-racism training or willingness to attend training within 6 months of hire.

• Experience collaborating with a variety of staff at all levels and community partners.

• Passion for and commitment to the mission of Happy Mama Healthy Baby Alliance.

• Completion of HIPAA Training within 2 weeks of hire, is required.

• Training in Perinatal Mental Health required or willingness to be trained within 3 months of hire, is required.

• Computer proficiency with Microsoft 360 Programs such as Word, SharePoint, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, is required.

Education/Experience

• Education: High School Degree (required); or Associate’s Degree (preferred) or college-level coursework in subject areas of women’s studies, health sciences, public health, social work, family studies, obstetrical and postpartum nursing, or midwifery.

• Experience: Demonstrated experience in postpartum care of mothers (experience via parenting and/or early learning and development and home visitation programs with African-American families is highly desirable).
• Three months experience working as a Postpartum Doula or in-home visitor providing social services and lactation support to diverse populations including BIPOC, refugees and immigrants, including adolescents. Must have worked with two families providing Postpartum Doula Support prior to hire (preferred).

Certificates/Licenses/Clearances

• Graduate of a Postpartum Doula or Perinatal Support Specialist Training required;
• Certified Birth Doula from any certifying entity preferred
• Certified Lactation Educator or Certified Lactation Educator-Counselor preferred from any certifying entity required
• Certified Childbirth Educator from any certifying entity a plus;
• Must have the legal right to work in the United States
• If hired, must have a valid California driver’s license, proof of vehicle insurance, and reliable transportation or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.
• Driver must be 21+ with none of the following in the past 3 years: any 2-point convictions; or more than (2) moving violations; or more than (1) moving violation and (1) at-fault vehicle accident or a passenger handling accident. The driver will be enrolled in the California Employer Pull Notification (EPN) System.

Other Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Strong attention to detail
• Aptitude for solving problems with creativity and resourcefulness
• Ability to develop positive relationships with clients, doulas, providers, staff, interns, apprentices, volunteers, and supervisors
• Ability to work independently with little supervision, keep up with required documentation and reports
• Ability to work flexible hours (including nights, weekend, holidays), work virtually, and have reliable transportation and the ability to travel throughout Los Angeles County
• Computer proficiency with Microsoft 360 Programs such as Word, SharePoint, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Stand: Frequently
• Walk: Frequently
• Sit: Frequently
• Handling / Fingering: Occasionally
• Reach Outward: Occasionally
• Reach Above Shoulder: Occasionally
• Climb, Crawl, Kneel, Bend: Occasionally
• Lift / Carry: Occasionally - Up to 50 lbs
• Push/Pull: Occasionally - Up to 50 lbs
• See (Vision): Constantly
• Taste/ Smell: Not Applicable

KEY

• Not Applicable = Not required for essential functions
• Occasionally = (0 - 2 hrs/day)
• Frequently = (2+ - 5 hrs/day)
• Constantly = (5+ hrs/day)

WORK ENVIRONMENT

General Office Setting, Indoors Temperature Controlled

EEOC STATEMENT

It is the policy of Heluna Health to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.