Per Diem Community Doula

PHMC serves as both a direct service provider to individuals, families, and communities across the region and as an intermediary agent — managing large-scale contracts, government and philanthropic partnerships, and multidisciplinary initiatives that require operational sophistication, strategic leadership, and deep mission alignment.

DEPARTMENT: Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH)

DIVISION: Reproductive, Adolescent,t and Child Health

PROGRAM: Community Doula Support Program (CDSP)

PROGRAM OVERVIEW:

ReACH Community Doulas within the ReACH Doula Services section provide community-based doula services to pregnant people and families throughout pregnancy, labor, and delivery, postpartum.  

The Doula Services section of ReACH is comprised of two internal doula programs: The Community Doula Support Program (CDSP) and the Healthy Start Doula Program. The Community Doula Support Program (CDSP) serves pregnant people and families, focusing on individuals with a history of substance use or current substance use disorder (SUD), including opioid use disorder (OUD), using a community-based model to provide support throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and up to one year postpartum. The Healthy Start Doula Program is a doula home visiting program that provides education, case management, and care coordination to pregnant women and families of children under the age of eighteen months, in 9 zip codes in the city. The goal of the program is to lower risk factors associated with preterm birth, low birth weight, infant mortality, and poor developmental outcomes. The purpose of the program is to improve health outcomes before, during, and after pregnancy, and reduce racial/ethnic differences in rates of infant death and adverse perinatal outcomes.  

ReACH Community Doulas may support families in one or both of the two internal doula tracks as needed.  

POSITION SUMMARY: 
Per Diem Community Doula Contractors provide culturally responsive, trauma-informed doula support, case management,t and care coordination to participants. This includes prenatal visits, labor support, postpartum follow-up, and assistance with resources and navigating services. 

Contractors must be skilled in supporting individuals affected by SUD/OUD and comfortable working across both program tracks. 

This position is an independent contract role. Contractors are not guaranteed a set number of referrals, hours, or income, and work is assigned based on participant needs, availability, and program capacity. 

SCOPE OF WORK:

Doula Support 

• Provide prenatal, labor and delivery, and postpartum support. 


• Offer education on birth preparation, lactation, newborn care, and postpartum health. 


• Support participants in the SUD/OUD track using trauma-informed, harm reduction approaches. 


• Assist participants in navigating hospitals, treatment systems, and community resources. 

Care Coordination & Case Management Activities 

• Conduct intakes and schedule participant visits based on individual needs.


• Provide support through home visits, virtual visits, phone, and text.


• Connect participants to resources for housing, food, mental health services, treatment programs, and other community agencies as needed.


• Collaborate with medical, behavioral health, and social service partners with a focus on adherence to recommended perinatal care schedules for both parent and baby.


• Educate and support reproductive life planning.
   

Documentation & Administrative Responsibilities 
• Document all visits and services in the program’s approved data system. 
• Maintain confidentiality and follow HIPAA requirements. 
• Track due dates, births, and visit schedules. 
• Maintain availability in the doula calendar and communicate planned time off. 
• Distribute supplies and gift card pickups as directed. 

Program Engagement 
• Participate in required trainings and meetings as available. 
• Support outreach and participant recruitment. 
• Refer Spanish-speaking participants to designated bilingual staff. 

QUALIFICATIONS:
• Completion of birth and postpartum doula training required. 
• PA Doula Commission certification or willingness to apply required. 
• At least 10 attended births, with at least half in Philadelphia hospitals required. 
• Experience supporting individuals with SUD/OUD using harm reduction principles. 
• Strong communication, documentation, and organizational skills. 
• Ability to work independently while collaborating with the ReACH team. 
• Experience supporting individuals navigating trauma, racism, and complex social stressors. 

Travel:  

This position will involve fieldwork, with in-person support through home visiting, at community events, health fairs, and outreach response activities.

Physical Demands:  

This job may require moderate physical effort, including lifting materials and equipment of less than 25 pounds, and involves viewing a CRT or VDT screen 50 to 75 % of the time.

The Per Diem Position Type and Work Schedule:  

This position is independent work and flexible with no fixed schedule, allowing the doula to work on an as-needed, on-call basis to support participants. You work according to your participants’ schedules, and the program includes at least one monthly in-person visit per participant.

On-Call Shifts: The doula is expected to be available on an on-call basis during specific time blocks, including days, nights, weekends, and holidays. This allows for responsive support when clients go into labor or have immediate postpartum needs.

Variable Hours: Shifts are not fixed and can vary based on client needs, resulting in unpredictable hours. This could mean working several hours in a day or multiple consecutive days, depending on the birth or postpartum needs.

Flexible Commitment: Per diem doulas may accept or decline shifts, making this role ideal for those seeking flexibility around other work and personal commitments, or for those who want to maintain a part-time or supplementary position.

Advance Scheduling and Short-Notice Calls: Some shifts may be scheduled in advance for planned support (e.g., postpartum visits), while others may be last-minute calls for labor support

SALARY

Per Diem Contract work

PHMC is an Equal Opportunity and E-Verify Employer.

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