Thursday, May 28, 2020

Doula- Christopher House


Doula

Christopher House (CH) is searching for Doulas looking to grow professionally in the field of Early Childhood Development.  Candidates must possess a specialized interest and passion for working with Infants, Toddlers, and Two-year old’s.

 With a mission to develop independent, creative, lifelong learners, our infant, preschool, elementary and family schools build a community of students, teachers, and parents committed to excellence, achievement and perseverance, respect and compassion, and equality of opportunity. 

Christopher House partners with parents to provide a continuum of education for students from birth through high school, as well as immersive family supports that help parents create stable, self-sufficient families.  We operate accredited early learning, elementary, and out of school time programs grounded in research-based curricula and high-quality instruction.  


Position Objectives:
·         Determine the needs and provide for the development of children ages birth to six years old  
·         Work to create a safe environment for children and act as a role model for teaching staff
·         Promote healthy pregnancies, breast-feeding and healthy parent-infant attachment.
·         Establish a trusting relationship with participants and provide prenatal, labor and postpartum support.
·         Provide culturally sensitive support and serve as a role model to young mothers.

Responsibilities:
·         Provide birthing support. Link pregnant participants to the health care system and facilitate their use of medical resources.
·         Work with other health care and support providers to ensure continuity of care.
·         Initiate contact with the program participants as early in their pregnancy as possible.
·         Maintain prenatal contact with the pregnant participant starting in the third trimester.
·         Visit pregnant and parenting participants in their homes and other settings. Organize and facilitate pre-natal group.
·         Prepare mothers-to-be for the hospital labor and delivery experience and for their new role as parents.
·         Attend and support the client through labor and delivery and in the initial postpartum period.
·         Visit the mother and baby at home within the first business day after their hospital release.
·         Maintain postpartum contact for six to twelve weeks as determined; support breast-feeding and infant care.
·          Provide emotional and logistical support for the new mother. Make appropriate referrals as client needs require. Maintain program participant confidentiality.
·          Meet all reporting and record keeping requirements in compliance with funding agency standards. Maintain equipment used in the position’s responsibilities.
·          Attend Doula trainings and meetings provided by the Ounce of Prevention. Attend weekly staff meetings and all required trainings and conferences.
·          Remain current with regard to issues related to adolescent parenting, new motherhood, pregnancy, labor, delivery and infant concerns, public policy decisions and availability of local resources.

Qualifications:

·         Strong alignment with Christopher House’s Values and Mission; 
·         Strong work ethic coupled with a proactive problem-solving approach;
·         Doula training required. Good communication skills and the ability to provide empathy and comfort through words, touch and action. Cultural awareness and sensitivity.
·         Organized with regard to multiple tasks and responsibilities. Able to schedule own workload and appointments and work independently with integrity.
·         Preferably at least three to five years of experience in working with adolescents and pregnant teens, infants and the pre- to – post natal experience.
·          Requires a valid Illinois Driver’s License and insurance, own transportation, and a good driving record. Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.


Education:

·         High School Diploma, GED or equivalent.



Christopher House is an Equal Opportunity Employer.