Doula

Virginia Mason Franciscan Health has a rich history of providing exceptional healthcare, dating back to 1891. Building upon a legacy of compassionate care and innovation, our organization has evolved over the years through strategic partnerships and integrations to expand our reach and services across the Puget Sound area.

Today, as Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, we remain deeply committed to healing the whole person – body, mind, and spirit – in the communities we serve. This commitment is strengthened by the diverse expertise and shared values brought together through our growth.

Our dedicated providers offer a full spectrum of health care services, from routine wellness to complex disease management, all grounded in rigorous research and education. Our comprehensive network of 10 hospitals and nearly 300 care sites strategically located across the greater Puget Sound region reflects our ongoing commitment to accessibility and comprehensive care.

We are proud of our pioneering medical advances and numerous awards and accreditations that reflect our dedication to excellence. When you join Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, you become part of a team that delivers top-quality, professional healthcare in modern, well-equipped facilities, and contributes to a legacy of service built on collaboration and shared purpose.

Job Summary:

This job is responsible for facilitating emotional and informational support, comfort measures and physical coping skills related to labor, birth and immediate postpartum. As a member of the maternity care team, an incumbent functions as a companion to the laboring/postpartum mother, tending to her emotional needs and physical comfort, and facilitates the support of the mother by the mother’s other invited personal support team members, including the father or other family/friends accordingly. An incumbent collaborates with other members of the healthcare team in a cooperative, respectful manner, and performs other tasks which may include answering phones, stocking rooms, providing relevant personal care/comfort items, orienting the patient and companions to the patient areas of the workspace, and transporting the patient by wheelchair.  The purpose of the position is to support the patient in speaking for herself, encouraging informed decision-making, self-advocacy and personal choices. There is no involvement in clinical functions or documentation of the medical record. An incumbent adheres to the scope of practice, directing patient to medical providers (e.g. RN, CNM) with respect to all clinical matters.

Essential Duties:

• Provides direct non-clinical support to the mother during the process of labor and delivery; stays with patient throughout labor and is on hand during delivery to facilitate communication between the woman, her partner and the clinical care providers.
• Assists women in achieving the objectives of the birthing plan.
• Provides continuing assistance and support to new mothers and the newborn during the postpartum period.

Required Education and Experience:

Must be able to provide proof that care as a Doula has been provided for a minimum of three births.

Required Licensure and Certifications:

• Current certification as a Doula through one of the following recognized organizations is required.
  Dona International (DONA)
  Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association (CAPPA)
  International Childbirth Education Association (ICEA)
  Global Perinatal Services
  International Doula Institute
  Pro Doula
  SMC Full Circle Doula
  ToLabor
  State of Washington
• Provisional Doula certification through DONA International may substitute for the required certification for a period of 90 days from date of hire.
• Current healthcare provider BLS certification within 30 days of date of hire into the position.