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.

As a Doula, you'll be responsible for facilitating emotional and informational support, comfort measures and physical coping skills related to labor, birth and immediate postpartum. 

Every day you will function 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.

To be successful, you will support the patient in speaking for herself, encouraging informed decision-making, self-advocacy and personal choices. 

• 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.
  
  
  • Maintains constant and close proximity to the mother to help lessen anxiety during labor; suggests comfort measures, provides massage and comforting touch;
  
  
  • Encourages and instructs appropriate participation of the partner.
  
  
  • Utilizes positioning techniques to enhance comfort and aid rotation and descent of the baby, visualization, breathing techniques and affirmation.
  
  
  • Keeps patient informed in lay terms of labor progress and what to expect; provides constant verbal encouragement and reassurance.
  
  
  • Advocates for the mother, encouraging and helping her fulfill specific desires she may have for her birthing experience.
• Assists women in achieving the objectives of the birthing plan.
  
  
  • Develops initial relationship with the expectant mother upon arrival of the Doula to the Midwifery Center; answers questions and responds to concerns as they arise.
  
  
  • Helps client to gain a better understanding of the procedures and possible complications relating to pregnancy or delivery.
• Provides continuing assistance and support to new mothers and the newborn during the postpartum period.
  
  
  • Helps mothers with informational support about feeding and caring for the baby.
  
  
  • Encourages bonding between the baby and mother/other family members.

Required

• Must be able to provide proof that care as a Doula has been provided for a minimum of three births.
• Doula: WA, upon hire or
• C-Doula, upon hire or
• Certified Labor Support Doula, upon hire or
• Certified Labor Doula, upon hire or
• Certified Doula, upon hire or
• DOULA Intnl Doula Inst, upon hire or
• Doula ToLabor, upon hire or
• Doula Pro Doula, upon hire or
• Doula Global Peri Svs, upon hire or
• Doula SMC Full Circle, upon hire or
• Doula ANCC, upon hire and
• Basic Life Support - CPR, within 30 Days