Birth Doula

Open Arms’ Birth Doula Services program is looking for trained and/or certified birth doulas to join our core

team of contract doulas! Community-based matching is central to the success of Open Arms’ Birth Doula Services Program. By pairing birthing people with doulas from their communities, we ensure culturally responsive care that centers families’ traditions and lived experiences. For this reason, we are seeking experienced doulas who demonstrate lived experience and can serve families as follows:

1. Focus Community: Indigenous
   • Location(s): South King, Pierce, and
   • Thurston Counties
   • Languages: Spanish and Mixteco
2. Focus Community: African diaspora
   • Location(s): King and Pierce Counties
   • Languages: French, Haitian Creole, and
   • Lingala

Scope Overview:

• Doulas will be asked for their availability for births throughout the year. With the support of our Intake team and program administration staff, doulas will be matched with families when referrals come in. Doulas will then need to connect with the family during their third trimester.
• At home visits and virtual visits, doulas will provide parents with education, resources, emotional support, and appropriate referrals. Our Family Support Services team is available to help with resource and referral connections.
  • Three prenatal visits during the third trimester: Topics include completing a birth plan, preparing for labor, setting up the home to welcome baby, postnatal care plan
  • Continuous support throughout Labor and delivery: On-call availability within two weeks of the estimated due date, until birth, and continuous support during labor
  • Three postnatal visits: Topics include feeding and lactation support, postpartum healing, soothing techniques, caring for baby and healthy development, childbirth and parenting education, and connecting families to baby supplies and other essentials
• Post-match and post-birth follow ups focused on supporting families with processing their needs, discussing birth experience, and supporting connections to additional referrals and resources.
• Complete timely and accurate visit notes in our secure cloud-based database.
• Attend monthly meetings and relevant trainings.

Priority consideration will be given to birth doulas who demonstrate any of the following preferred qualifications:

• Fluency in languages specific to indigenous communities or those within the African diaspora
• Prior experience working with Open Arms

Required Doula Qualifications:

• Proficiency in English
• At least one year of training, certification, or experience as a birth doula
• Demonstrated lived experience with the indigenous community
• Ability to serve families in South King, Pierce, and/or Thurston Counties
• State certification Demonstrated commitment to helping families experience satisfying birth and parenting experiences
• Ability to maintain confidentiality around sensitive information
• Passion for and commitment to the mission of Open Arms and community-based work.
• Experience working with diverse staff and communities of color. The applicant should have a strong racial, disability, gender, and economic justice framework.
• Commitment to anti-oppression and de-colonization work with a focus on racial equity and reproductive justice, specific to birth justice
• COVID-19 proof of full vaccination, booster after January 2022, or medical or religious exemption request is required for in-person work.
• Background check and reference checks are required
• Proof of eligibility to work as an independent contractor
• Reliable transportation for regular home visits and birth support

What Open Arms Provides to our Doula team:

• Generous opportunities for professional development and training including access to classes, resources, and interactive community spaces for doulas and families
• Support from doula mentors, on-call 24-hour clinical consultation, and regular check-ins with Lead Doulas
• Support from our Family Support Services team who helps connect families with essential resourcesA strong network of experienced birthworkers and support staff. We have a central office on Beacon Hill where doulas can meet with others and have access to supplies for families.

What Open Arms Provides to our Doula team:

• Generous opportunities for professional development and training including access to classes, resources, and interactive community spaces for doulas and families
• Support from doula mentors, on-call 24-hour clinical consultation, and regular check-ins with Lead Doulas
• Support from our Family Support Services team who helps connect families with essential resources
• A strong network of experienced birthworkers and support staff. We have a central office on Beacon Hill where doulas can meet with others and have access to supplies for families.

Fluency in English and at least one of the following languages: Spanish, Mixteco, French, Haitian Creole, or Lingala.