Birth Assistant (non-licensed)

Description:

Birth assistants support midwifery model care in the community birth setting, directly assist the midwife in caring for clients during the course of labor, postpartum recovery, and newborn care, and maintain clinical responsibilities that facilitate smooth operation of the birth center. The birth assistant will take call for a minimum of twelve 12-hour shifts per month, including rotating weekends and nights.

This position requires relevant experience in labor & birth, including prior birth assisting or doula experience. It also requires BLS and NRP certification.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Upon initiation of employment, the birth assistant will complete an orientation and will be expected to read and understand The Coit House policies and procedures manual.

Maintain stock of medications, sterile instruments, and supplies in the birth rooms, clinic rooms, and midwife’s home birth bag.

Intrapartum care: the birth assistant will, at the direction and supervision of the midwife, provide or conduct, within their scope of practice:

Labor support (i.e., fluids, positioning, tub bath, sibling support).

Supplies and/or equipment as needed to complete the set-up of the room for birth.

Monitoring of vital signs and fetal heart tones.

Delivery assistance as needed

Assist with resuscitation if needed.

Assist with third stage or other maternal emergency as needed and as within scope of practice

Immediate postpartum care & discharge

Eldon cards

Ongoing assessment of postpartum person: vital signs, fundus, bleeding, voiding, fluids and eating, parenting adjustment, breastfeeding, physical and comfort needs.

Ongoing assessment of newborn: vital signs, respiratory status, color, temperature, neurological status, feeding, activity, Eldon card, and newborn exam.

Discharge education for birthing person & newborn

Accompany family to car

Restocking of birth room

Ongoing postpartum follow-up

Continuing Competency

Maintains current certification in BLS and neonatal resuscitation.

Attendance at staff in-service programs, emergency drills, and staff meetings

Qualifications:

Background check

Physical ability to carry birth equipment up and down stairs, clean up after birth, and squat, bend, and reach to accommodate the woman’s chosen laboring positions

Technical skills to perform basic charting functions

NRP certification

CPR/BLS certification

Belief in midwifery model of care, out of hospital birth, physiologic birth, and breastfeeding

Experience with pregnancy, birth, and neonates