Birth Assistant (Part-time)

About the Organization

Lilac Health operates Charleston Birth Place, a freestanding midwife-led birth center in South Carolina that is accredited by CABC and staffed by CNMs. Based near historic Charleston and its beaches, the practice serves a broad community that includes military families and people without insurance. Since opening in 2008, the team has supported more than 3,500 families seeking low-intervention, out-of-hospital birth care. Deliveries are provided both at the birth center and at the Pearl Tourville Women’s Pavilion at MUSC.

The organization offers maternity care such as extended prenatal visits, labor support, water birth, and regular postpartum follow-up. Its Nest program also includes chiropractic care, pelvic floor physical therapy, mental health counseling, IBCLC support, and classes and support groups. Additional wellness services cover annual exams, contraception, IUD insertion, gynecological visits, and preconception planning.

The practice values midwife autonomy, shared decision-making, and physiologic birth, and it is seeking a PRN Birth Assistant for the Charleston Birth Center.

Role Overview

The Birth Assistant supports midwives and patients during birth center care, helps maintain a safe and respectful environment, and responds quickly when urgent situations arise. The role also includes assisting with clinical, administrative, and quality-improvement tasks as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

• Active RN or CPM license in South Carolina.
• At least 1 year of experience in maternal/child health, labor and delivery, and newborn care.
• Prior birth center experience is preferred.
• Current CPR certification for both neonatal and adult care.

Job Expectations

• Provide care with a helpful, friendly, respectful, and patient-first approach.
• Help uphold the center’s mission by supporting informed choice, family involvement, and a supportive birth experience.
• Assist the midwife during unexpected events or urgent clinical situations.
• Coordinate escalation of care with hospitals or other providers and help ensure a smooth handoff using SBAR communication.
• Take on related duties outside the immediate role when needed to support practice goals.
• Work respectfully and courteously with coworkers.

Core Job Requirements

• Strong knowledge of maternal health, pregnancy, labor, postpartum care, and newborn care.
• Clear oral and written communication with patients and staff.
• Ability to remain effective in stressful situations and with diverse patient needs.
• Skill in anticipating the needs of the CNM, patient, and family.
• Ability to deliver direct care according to approved policies and procedures.
• Provide educational, emotional, and physical support to patients and families.
• Maintain effective communication with patients, families, and staff.
• Collaborate with outside agencies and understand referral resources and services.
• Contribute ideas to improve efficiency and quality of care in the birth center.
• Help keep the birth center clean, organized, and orderly.
• Administer medications and treatments as directed by CNMs.
• Carry out necessary laboratory-related duties.
• Be able to arrive at the birth center within 30 minutes when on call.
• Attend meetings when requested by the supervisor.
• Participate in at least 3 quarterly emergency drills each year and 2 fire/disaster drills each year.
• Take part in continuous quality improvement activities.
• Support clinic operations during office hours as patient volume allows, including front-desk flow, answering calls, and scheduling clients.
• Complete other duties assigned by the supervisor.

Application Note

For questions about the role, candidates may contact paige@lilac.health.