Birth Doula

Are you interested in working at Magnet-designated UPMC Hamot Magee-Womens Hospital? Only 7% of hospitals nationwide have achieved Magnet designation – and we’re one of them! For more than a century, UPMC has been caring for women through all stages of their lives, and we are looking for the next passionate employee to join the team.

What can you Expect as a Birth Doula?

With equity and inclusiveness as core values, you will work to provide a safe space for all expectant and laboring families. We use a team-based approach to work with birthing persons during their pregnancy, delivery, and the postpartum period.

You will provide doula services to pregnant women by attending patient’s births at hospitals or the birth center to provide continuous physical, informational, and emotional support. You will complete postpartum visit(s) in the hospital, home, at health care centers, or other public community settings as agreed to by patients. You will complete prenatal visits as needed and maintain regular telephone contact with community doulas following births attended, and the on-call service. Communication between the team doulas/staff is key for on-call shifts, attending monthly staff meetings and attend continued education opportunities. The birth doula will complete work in multiple urban sites, with frequent travel within the city. 

As a birth doula, you will provide knowledgeable breastfeeding support and refer clients to lactation support when appropriate, sign up for at least four 12-hour on-call shifts per month (scheduled in advance), and attend required meetings and in-services (i.e., monthly Birth Doula meeting, and new Doula orientation). Birth doulas provide continuous doula services that meet the DONA International Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics to women during their births as well as follow program protocols for after-hours and weekend calls; coordinate as needed with the on-call supervisor, answering service, and community doula for clients whose birth it will be attended by the birth doula. You will complete birth packet and first postpartum visit and visit sheet (turn in to office w/in one week of birth).

Note: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned this job. They are not exhaustive lists of all duties, responsibilities, knowledge, skills, abilities and working conditions associated with the job.

Shifts/Hours:  Be on call for several shifts per month, available 24/7. Attend births and provide support for up to 16 hours per shift. Potentially work additional hours, including scheduled appointments and hospital rounding.

*Hours are subject to change based on business needs.

• Sign up for at least four 12-hour on-call shifts per month (scheduled in advance).
• Provide continuous doula services that meet the DONA International Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics during births.
• Review each birth attended with Supervisor, Lead Doula, or Community Doula assigned to the client, per Birth Circle protocol.
• If the client is not assigned prior to birth, review the birth with Supervisor, Lead Doula, or Community Doula assigned to follow up.
• Meet individually with Lead Doula for case-management and to monitor paperwork completion, as needed.
• Follow program protocols for after-hours and weekend calls; coordinate with the on-call supervisor, answering service, and community doula for clients whose birth will be attended by the birth doula.
• Complete the first post-partum visit. Provide knowledgeable breastfeeding support and refer clients to lactation support as available and when appropriate.
• Complete birth packet and first postpartum visit sheet (turn in to office within one week of birth). Complete and turn in timesheet as scheduled.
• Maintain patient confidentiality and HIPAA-compliant records. Attend required meetings and in-services (e.g., monthly Birth Doula meeting, and new Doula orientation).
• Check UPMC email regularly for on-call changes, updates, and staff communication.
• Perform in accordance with system-wide competencies/behaviors. Perform other duties as assigned.