Job Summary
In accordance with the Purpose, Vision, Values and Coast Salish Teachings, and strategic directions of PHSA, safety, including both patient and employee safety, is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at PHSA. As such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position.
The Doula, Families in Recovery (FIR) Program reports to the Clinical Director and is responsible for supporting an integrated traditional wellness program for patients admitted to FIR program during pregnancy, labor, and the early postpartum period. Working in an inpatient and community transition capacity, the Doula provides connection to Indigenous cultural practices and supports, informational and health system navigational support for perinatal substance use patients and their families and support to clients who face barriers to enter into primary care and other community services. The role works in close collaboration with FIR Program interdisciplinary care team members, community service providers, and other external partners to advance improved health and wellness outcomes and health care experiences for perinatal substance use patients through the pregnancy, labour, and early postpartum continuum of care.
The Doula offers culturally safe, non-medical biopsychosocial, informational, and health system navigational support and companionship through the continuum of the perinatal period, from pregnancy, labour, and early postpartum period and provides support through the full spectrum of reproductive health outcomes, including live birth, abortion, miscarriage, stillbirth, and adoption. The Doula supports families with the transition of welcoming and integrating the new baby into the family, which may include supporting housing transitions, and working with service providers, external partner agencies, toward family reunification.
The Doula works in close collaboration with the Indigenous Health Services, FIR medical and allied/support staff, community partners, and other internal/external partners to support new and health initiatives and perinatal health quality improvement projects based on principles and practices of cultural safety and humility, gender and sexual health inclusivity, and reproductive justice.
Duties/Accountabilities
- Provides non-medical doula services within an interdisciplinary team to perinatal substance use patients. Provides companionship, connection to Indigenous cultural practices, biopsychosocial, informational, and health system navigational support during pregnancy, labour, and the early postpartum period.
- Provides support through the full spectrum of reproductive health outcomes, including live birth, abortion, miscarriage, stillbirth, and adoption. Accompanies clients to appointments and meetings with service providers (e.g., primary care provider, social worker, housing providers).
- Leads with cultural safety to support the removal of barriers to accessing care for Indigenous patients. Promotes effective communication between Indigenous patients, their families, and their healthcare team, including helping Indigenous clients and families to feel safe and comfortable to ask questions, make requests, and participate in informed decision-making and consent.
- Within an interdisciplinary team, supports continuity of care through the perinatal period, including between acute and community settings, with appropriate referrals to medical and community service providers. Build relationships with key service partners in community to ensure health, housing, and family support service resources are established.
- Provides prenatal visits and frequently provide virtual (phone/text) support in between face-to-face interactions with clients. Discuss pregnancy, birth preferences, questions, and concerns in consultation with community primary care and service providers to help patients prepare for labour. Provides perinatal education to patients and support those who wish to develop a birth plan. This may include comfort measures, breastfeeding/chestfeeding support, connection to cultural practices including Elders and/or Knowledge Keepers or other spiritual advisors.
- Provides emotional and physical support during labour and childbirth, which may take place at the client’s home and/or BC Women’s Hospital and Health Centre (BCWH).
- Provides early postpartum support providing advice and guidance on basic care and creating a positive atmosphere with the transition of welcoming and integrating the new baby into the family, which may include supporting housing transitions, and working with service providers, external partner agencies, toward family reunification.
- Contributes to and participates in ongoing efforts to enhance BCWH’s maternity care programs and policies to meet the needs of Indigenous families. This may include participation in the development and facilitation of Indigenous Cultural Safety training and educational resources.
- Leads acute care activities in partnership with BCWH’s MHSU and Indigenous Health teams and community service providers to co-facilitate childbirth education classes to patients and families; provide drop-in prenatal/postpartum support; work alongside Elders and/or Knowledge Keepers to participate in ceremony and raise awareness about Doula support services.
- Works collaboratively both across the organization and with Regional Health Authority partners to provide guidance and support in the provision of culturally safe care through the perinatal period.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Pursuant to section 42 of the British Columbia Human Rights Code, preference will be given to applicants of Indigenous Ancestry.
A level of education, training, and experience equivalent to completion of a Doula Training Program from an accredited institution (bachelor’s degree in health care, social work, nursing or related discipline is an asset) and two (2) years of recent related experience working with individuals requiring substance use and/or mental health support.
Valid BC Driver’s License as travel within the health authority is required.
Lived experience as an Indigenous person (First Nations, Metis, or Inuit) in Canada is an asset. Lived experience with Indigenous populations and demonstrated extensive knowledge of Indigenous health care needs, services, and issues as well as knowledge of culture, protocols, traditions, and ideology of Indigenous people and organizations in British Columbia. Demonstrated knowledge and experience working with Indigenous (First Nations, Metis, and Inuit) communities and organizations, Elders and/or Knowledge Keepers to build positive relationships based on trust and mutual respect. Demonstrated extensive knowledge of Canadian colonial impacts on Indigenous people in social and health contexts, supported by significant knowledge of Indigenous ways of knowing and being. Knowledge of and experience with Indigenous centered care and unique needs of Indigenous populations and health services, in alignment with Paige’s Story (2015), Truth and Reconciliation Call To Action report (2015), In Plain Sight: Addressing Indigenous-Specific Racism and Discrimination in BC Health Care (2020), Reclaiming Power and Place: Recommendations from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (2021), Sacred and Strong: Upholding Our Matriarchal Roles (FNHA, 2021) and how they intersect in the health care system. Demonstrated ability to identify and recognize current health care system gaps and barriers for Indigenous individuals and communities seeking health care. Demonstrated knowledge of how to apply strengths-based trauma and violence-informed principles into practice. Broad knowledge of perinatal health care delivery systems in primary, acute and community settings. Knowledge of diverse gender, reproductive and sexual health issues and priorities, current birthing practices and current research on pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum and parenting. Broad knowledge of mental health and substance use, and perinatal substance use. Demonstrated ability to be self-directed, work independently and collaboratively in a work environment. Ability to utilize strong interpersonal skills to support others effectively and compassionately in a collaborative, interdisciplinary team setting. Ability to deal effectively with conflict situations using behavioural management techniques, and restorative justice approaches. Proven ability to work well under pressure, including time sensitive community requests, flexible work settings, complex care settings, and unforeseen circumstances. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing. Demonstrated ability to initiate and maintain collaborative working relationships. Commitment to ongoing professional development. Ability to operate related equipment, including computer hardware and software. Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.
