Advanced Doula Traineeship

The Advanced Doula Traineeship is a certification-focused program designed for doulas who are actively working toward certification and need additional births and experience with supporting clients to complete their requirements.

Offered in partnership by the UNM Birth Companion Program (UNMBCP) and Perinatal Community Voices (PCV), this structured traineeship provides mentored, real-world birth doula experience while also expanding access to community-based perinatal support.

Trainees are compensated $1,000 per family supported.

Program Overview

The Advanced Doula Traineeship runs from May through November 2026 and combines:

• Mentored birth supported

• Structured didactic training

• Business and professional development

• On-call hospital experience at UNM Hospital in Albuquerque

• Peer support and guided debriefing

The program begins with an in-person launch and orientation in Albuquerque in May, followed by weekly and biweekly educational online sessions throughout the summer and fall. Trainees and mentors can be located anywhere in the state of New Mexico.

Trainees begin supporting clients prenatally in May, attend births July–October, and complete closing activities and certification milestones in November.

Program Timeline

May 2026: Orientation, hospital training, business foundations
June 2026: Advanced perinatal topics and on-call preparation
July–October 2026: Client matching, births, support circles
November 2026: Program closure and certificate completion

Structured Mentorship

Each trainee is paired with an experienced doula mentor who provides guidance, oversight, and professional support throughout the program.

Paid, Real-World Experience

Trainees support families from pregnancy through birth and are compensated $1,000 per family supported.

On-Call Hospital Experience

Participants have the opportunity to provide on-call birth support for families birthing at UNM Hospital in Albuquerque during the program period.

Equity-Centered Care

The program prioritizes community-based perinatal support and expands access to families who may not otherwise have doula care.

Training Topics Include

The Advanced Doula Traineeship integrates clinical knowledge, equity-centered care, and business development, including:

• Trauma-informed and culturally responsive care

• Perinatal mental health

• Substance use in pregnancy

• Lactation basics

• Postpartum support

• Perinatal grief and pregnancy loss

• Hospital policies and procedures

• EMR documentation and Medicaid billing

• Business formation in New Mexico

• Small business management and accounting

• Credentialing and professional compliance

• Self-care and sustainable doula practice

Educational sessions are delivered via a combination of in-person workshops and virtual training.

Program Timeline

May 2026 – Orientation, hospital training, business foundations
June 2026 – Advanced perinatal topics and on-call preparation
July–October 2026 – Client matching, births, support circles
November 2026 – Program closure and certificate completion

Compensation

Trainees receive $1,000 per family supported during the program. On-call support for families outside of the traineeship cohort will also be paid.

Additional details regarding the scope of work and expectations are provided during the application and selection process.

• Have completed a doula training course by April 30th, 2026.

• Trainees should be prepared to engage in at least 18 hours of classroom content covering essential topics like Medicaid enrollment, billing procedures, EMR documentation, business management, CPR, HIPAA compliance, birth equity, trauma-informed care, perinatal mental health, support in the context of substance use, and support during perinatal loss.

• Trainees should attend ALL of the support circles.

• Trainees should be able to work collaboratively with their mentors and peers, supporting their own development of community and peer-to-peer support networks.

• Trainees should be prepared to provide support to three families during the perinatal period, which includes prenatal and postpartum visits as well as continuous support during labor and birth.

• Trainees should be prepared to be on-call for birth support at UNM Hospital on a pre-specified schedule (if they are located in Albuquerque or within reasonable driving distance)

• Trainees should be willing to receive feedback and support from mentors, engage in one-on-one weekly mentorship sessions, and participate in evaluations to improve their skills and confidence.

• Trainees should be motivated to provide equitable access to perinatal support services, particularly in underserved communities.

• Trainees should commit to completing ALL program evaluations and surveys.

Certification and Experience:

• Credentialed by the NM Department of Health to bill Medicaid, or have the minimum requirements to enroll in NM Medicaid  

AND

• Have demonstrable experience providing support during the perinatal period.

Ability to Provide Targeted Doula Training:

Mentors should be knowledgeable and experienced in key areas of doula practice, including: 

Required:

• Prenatal visits

• Postpartum visits

• Support during birth and labor

• Lactation basic knowledge

• General physiology of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum

Preferred:

• Knowledge and experience of holistic perinatal care

• Knowledge and experience supporting abortion and loss

• Knowledge and/or training on PMADs ( Perinatal Mental Health)

• Working with marginalized populations 

• Working with clients with substance use during pregnancy

Capacity for Mentored Support:

• Mentors should be committed to meeting weekly with their mentees for personalized guidance, sharing best practices, and offering support and debriefing sessions.

• They should have the skills to provide constructive feedback and support the development of trainees' skills and expertise.

• Mentors should be available to the trainees as they care for six families during the traineeship, including up to five prenatal and postpartum visits and support during labor and birth.

• Mentors must attend the scope of practice meeting with program leadership.

The Advanced Doula Traineeship values doulas’ labor, lived experience, and professional growth. This program is built to:

• Support you to complete your doula certification

• Provide sustainable, compensated opportunities to gain experience with supporting clients

• Strengthen the perinatal workforce in New Mexico

• Expand access to compassionate, community-centered care