Welcome to the Next Chapter: Your Next Steps

Your first operational step is securing your official training verification. State Medicaid reviewers (including the California Medi-Cal PAVE portal), managed care organizations, and hospital credentialing committees mandate submission of both your diploma and a comprehensive curriculum crosswalk.

All practicing doulas must hold active certification in Adult, Child, and Infant CPR with Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and Basic First Aid (or Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers) conforming to American Heart Association (AHA) and ILCOR guidelines.

Doulas routinely receive, record, and transmit sensitive client Protected Health Information (PHI). Formal HIPAA compliance certification demonstrates mastery of the Privacy Rule, Security Rule, electronic records safeguarding, and confidential interdisciplinary communication.

In professional birth work, practical observation and field experience is formally termed Birth Practicum, Clinical Shadowing & Observation, or Mentored Field Experience. This requirement bridges classroom theory with real-world labor support.

With your academic certificates, CPR/BLS cards, and HIPAA compliance in hand, you are fully prepared to establish your official healthcare provider identity and submit your provider application to state health programs.

Graduation marks the beginning of your professional affiliation with Guided By Grace Doulas. Our faculty and administrative staff provide continuous advisory support as you launch client services, navigate managed care authorizations, and expand your practice.