Job Abstract

This is a grant-funded, limited term, temporary position (10 hours/week). 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) Certified 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.

If hired for this position, applicant will be required to provide proof of full vaccination for COVID-19 prior to the start date; or have a valid religious or medical reason qualifying the applicant for an exemption (that may or may not require accommodation). The applicant will need to have the qualifying exemption.

Deadline to apply is April 15, 2024!

Interested applicants please submit a resume and cover letter.

Temporary position (10 hours/week)/non-benefit eligible.

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

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 their nurturers.
• Work with Program Coordinator and Executive Director to implement a plan to enroll 90 African-American mothers and their nurturers who are between two days and two weeks postpartum into the program provide in-home supportive services during the three-day to eight-week postpartum period.
• Under supervision of Program Coordinator, implement strategies to ensure at least 70% (63 of 90) of African-American mothers participating in the program will 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.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

• 1 years’ experience as a Certified Postpartum Doula 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 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. required
• Postpartum Doula Certification with Lamaze, ICEA, Bradley, HMHBA, CAPPA, ToBirth, etc. required;
• One year 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.
• Strong attention to detail
• Passion for and commitment to the mission of Happy Mama Healthy Baby Alliance
• 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.
• Completion of HIPAA Training within 2 weeks of hire required.
• Training in Perinatal Mental Health required or willingness to be trained within 3 months of hire required.
• Computer proficiency with Microsoft 360 Programs such as Word, SharePoint, Excel, PowerPoint required.

Education/Experience

• 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.

• Demonstrated experience in postpartum care of mothers (experience via parenting and/or early learning and development and home visitation programs is highly desirable) as a Postpartum Doula and/or Midwife Assistant.
• 1 year 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 5 families providing Postpartum Doula Support prior to hire (required).

Certificates/Licenses/Clearances

• Graduate of a Postpartum Doula or Perinatal Support Specialist Training required;
• Certified Postpartum Doula required from any certifying entity
• Certified Birth Doula preferred from any certifying entity
• Certified Lactation Educator or Certified Lactation Educator-Counselor required from any certifying entity
• Certified Childbirth Educator from any certifying entity a plus;

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 Constantly
• Taste/ Smell Not Applicable Not required for essential functions

KEY

• Occasionally (0 - 2 hrs/day)
• Frequently (2 - 5 hrs/day)
• Constantly (5+ hrs/day)

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Remote & General Office or Hospital or Clinic 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.