Cultural Doula -Temporary Full-Time 1 Year Contract with the Possibility of Extension

HAMILTON URBAN CORE COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTRE

Strong Core Healthier Lives

Job Type: Temporary Full-time (1 Year Contract with the Possibility of Extension)

Position Type: On-Site

Salary Range: CA$58,000.00 - CA$68,000.00 per year

Position Description:

Hamilton Urban Core Community Health Centre (HUCCHC) is seeking a compassionate and culturally grounded Cultural Doula to join our innovative Obodo Maternal Health program. This role is central to delivering holistic, trauma-informed, and culturally safe prenatal and postpartum care to racialized, newcomer, uninsured, low-income, and street-involved birthing individuals in Hamilton.

The Cultural Doula provides culturally responsive, non-clinical emotional, cultural, and physical support to pregnant and postpartum individuals and their families throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. Working within a mobile “hub-and-spoke” model, the Cultural Doula delivers services both within community settings and in clients’ homes to ensure accessible, community-rooted maternal health support.

This role focuses on improving access to culturally safe and responsive maternal health services for underserved, marginalized, and vulnerable populations who may face systemic barriers to care. The Cultural Doula works collaboratively with the Breastfeeding Support Worker, Early Childhood Worker, and interdisciplinary healthcare teams to provide holistic support that promotes maternal wellness, infant health, and healthy family development.

The Cultural Doula also plays a critical role in supporting birthing individuals through pregnancy, labour and delivery (where appropriate), and the postpartum transition. This includes assisting with newborn care, breastfeeding support in collaboration with lactation specialists, parenting education, emotional support, light household assistance, and connecting families to health and social services.

Accountability:

The Cultural Doula reports to the Manager, Primary Health Care with overall accountability to the Executive Director.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide culturally responsive emotional, informational, and practical support to pregnant individuals and their families throughout pregnancy.

• Assist clients in preparing for childbirth by discussing birth preferences, expectations, and culturally meaningful practices.

• Provide education and guidance on prenatal health, nutrition, maternal wellbeing, and infant care.

• Lead workshops, prenatal education sessions, and maternal support groups.

• Support clients in navigating the healthcare system, including appointments with obstetricians, midwives, primary care providers, and community services.

• Help clients identify and address potential barriers to care such as transportation, language, childcare, or systemic inequities.

• Facilitate access to prenatal classes, maternal health programs, and culturally relevant community resources.

• Provide continuous emotional and physical support during labour and childbirth where appropriate and feasible.

• Support birthing individuals in advocating for their preferences and needs during the birth process.

• Provide comfort measures such as breathing techniques, relaxation strategies, positioning, and encouragement.

• Facilitate culturally meaningful birth practices where possible and appropriate.

• Attend births and offer reassurance and emotional support to both the birthing individual and their support persons.

• Provide in-home and community-based postpartum support following birth.

• Support mothers with physical recovery, emotional wellbeing, and transition to parenthood.

• Provide education and assistance with newborn care, including feeding, soothing, and bonding.

• Work closely with the Breastfeeding Support Worker to support breastfeeding or alternative feeding methods.

• Support parents in establishing routines and responding to infant needs.

• Assist families with the transition into parenthood, including emotional adjustment and parenting confidence.

• Provide light household support to reduce stress for new parents, including assistance with basic household tasks such as laundry, meal preparation, and organizing infant supplies.

• Support families with managing daily routines and caring for newborns and young children.

• Encourage family involvement and support networks around the mother and infant.

• Promote culturally rooted maternal and parenting practices that align with families’ traditions and values.

• Advocate for culturally safe and trauma-informed care within the healthcare system.

• Support families in navigating systemic barriers that affect maternal health outcomes.

• Serve as a trusted community liaison, strengthening connections between families and local services.

• Work collaboratively with the Breastfeeding Support Worker, Early Childhood Worker, primary healthcare providers, and community partners.

• Participate in case discussions and coordinated care planning for clients.

• Support referrals to relevant services including primary care, mental health services, settlement services, housing supports, and social services.

• Participate in team meetings, training sessions, and program development activities.

• Participate in community outreach activities to promote maternal and child health services.

• Support culturally specific maternal health initiatives and community programming.

• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of client interactions and services provided.

• Track program activities and outcomes as required.

• Contribute to program evaluation activities and data collection where appropriate.

• Maintain confidentiality and adhere to organizational policies and professional standards.

Performance Targets:

TBD

Qualifications:

• Minimum of 4 years’ Experience and Certification as a Birth and Postpartum Doula required.

• Lived experience or strong understanding of culturally specific maternal practices is highly valued.

• Experience supporting marginalized, street-involved, newcomer, refugee, or underserved populations is an asset.

• Training in breastfeeding support, trauma-informed care, or maternal-child health is considered an asset.

• Strong understanding of pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum support.

• Knowledge of culturally responsive maternal and infant care practices.

• Understanding of social determinants of health and barriers affecting maternal care access.

• Familiarity with community health resources and social support systems.

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in non-traditional, community-based settings.

• Comfort providing support in homes, shelters, and other informal or outreach-based environments.

• Fluency in additional languages or cultural practices is a strong asset.

• Ability to provide compassionate, non-judgmental, and trauma-informed care.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

• Ability to build trusting relationships with families from diverse cultural backgrounds.

• Strong advocacy and client navigation skills.

• Ability to work independently in community settings.

• Strong organizational and documentation skills.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to travel within the community and conduct home visits.

• Flexible schedule including on-call, evenings, and weekends as required.

• Valid driver’s license and access to reliable transportation required.

• Clear vulnerable sector screening.

  Interested applicants should forward a cover letter and resume to:

  Hiring Committee – Cultural Doula

  Hamilton Urban Core Community Health Centre

  430 Cannon Street East Hamilton Ontario L8L 2C8

  Email: [email protected]

  Hamilton Urban Core is committed to equity in employment.

  While we appreciate every application only those selected for an interview will be contacted.