WIC Nutrition Assistant

Job Description

Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY

Provide health assessments, nutrition and breastfeeding education and case management services to pregnant, postpartum, breastfeeding women and children up to the age of five. The mission of the WIC and FCM Program is to safeguard the health of low-income women, infants, and children up to age 5 who are at nutrition risk by providing nutritious foods to supplement diets, information on healthy eating and referrals to healthcare.

CORE ACCOUNTABILITIES

Nutrition Assessment

• Review previous notes prior to seeing participant for continuity of care. Follow-up on any relevant information and goals from prior visit.
• Understands the normal lifecycle nutrition issues for pregnancy, lactation, postpartum, infancy, and early childhood.
• Understands the WIC nutrition assessment process including risk assignment and documentation.
• Refer to the Nutrition Coordinator or designated CPA for high-risk complex nutrition and breastfeeding concerns.
• Collects anthropometric and hematological data using appropriate measurement techniques (height, weight, and hemoglobin). Review growth chart with participant.
• Multicultural awareness: understands how socio-cultural issues affect nutrition and health practices, and nutrition-related health problems.
• Critical thinking: synthesize and analyze data to draw appropriate conclusions.
• Conduct and interpret screenings and provide referrals as needed.
  • Ages and Stages Questionnaire Social Emotional-2 (ASQ-SE2)
  • Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3)
  • Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale Screening (EPDS)
  • Bright Smiles – provide fluoride varnish on eligible participants.

Nutrition Counseling and Education

• Counseling (low risk)
  • Develop rapport and foster open communication with participants.
  • Encourage and promote breastfeeding by providing needed support and referring to the BF Peer Counselor and/or IBCLC.
  • Utilize participant centered techniques per policy (IL WIC Program Nutrition Practice Standard – Effective counseling Methods).
• Nutrition Education (low risk)
  • Individualized nutrition and breastfeeding education offered after assessments are completed.
  • Education offered is category specific and based upon participant's needs and current guidance from USDA.
  • Guide participant in identifying simple/attainable goal(s).
  • Tailor food package to meet participants needs and issue benefits in iWIC.
  • Schedule upcoming secondary education or appropriate intervals for participant.

Recordkeeping and Documentation

• Complete all required screens in the computer program.
• Document per policy (IL WIC Program Nutrition Practice Standard – Documenting in WIC MIS, MCH Policy and Procedure Manual).
  • Maintain timely and accurate notes.
  • Document formula and food packages changes.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities

• Participate in staff meetings, conferences, training sessions and workshops as assigned.
• Demonstrate familiarity with policies, performance standards and the agency's Mission, Vision and Core Values.
• Exhibit a positive attitude and maintain friendly and respectful relations with staff, children, and families.
• Be a contributory team member in a positive/productive manner.
• Maintain HIPAA and confidentiality policy.
• Participate in WIC Outreach activities as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS

1. Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Dietetic student, or individual with a high school diploma or equivalent required.
2. Must complete CPA Assistant II training within six months of hire.
3. Prior experience working with women, infants and children preferred.
4. Positive, empathic approach and ability to communicate effectively with families.
5. Possess excellent, highly developed listening skills and both written and oral communication skills.
6. Must be detail-oriented, able to think critically and efficiently organized with the ability to maintain detailed records.
7. Exhibits compassion, understanding and enjoys working with children and families.
8. Ability to work effectively in collaboration with diverse groups of people.
9. Passion, idealism, integrity, positive attitude, mission-driven, and self-directed.

CYHS CORE VALUES

Commitment - Meeting the needs of those we serve through professional services: Demonstrates a clear commitment to the agency's mission by exhibiting a shared concern for team members and clientele above personal interest. Has a healthy, manageable, and sustainable commitment to doing a job well and going above and beyond when it is truly required. Supports fundraising. Embraces new approaches and discovers ideas to create a better client experience. Establishes goals, clarifies tasks, plans work and actively participates in meetings. Pursues self-development that enhances job performance.

Compassion – Unconditional empathy for all.

Listens attentively to others and demonstrates an openness toward understanding concerns, feelings, and needs. Makes wise assessments and adjusts behavior and style to effectively address situation. Works effectively with people of different backgrounds, abilities, opinions, and perceptions.

Service - Community support through professionalism, accessibility, and advocacy.

Demonstrates a desire to serve others and fulfill community needs. Exhibits competence, good judgement, reliability, and polite behavior in order to meet the expectations of clients and the agency. Strives to provide service by means of advocacy.

Integrity - Upholding honesty, ethical principles, and moral values.

Takes responsibility for one's own actions. Acknowledges weaknesses and easily admits mistakes. Accurately assess personal feelings, strengths, and limitations and how they impact relationships. Makes sound judgements and transfers learning from one situation to another.

Teamwork - Collaboration among programs to reflect a diversity of ideas and service delivery.

Builds effective, supportive working relationships with team members. Reaches out to others in different programs for ideas, points out the contribution of others, shares credit, emphasizes team over self, and defines success collectively rather than individually. Seeks first to understand the other person's point of view and remains calm in challenging situations. Listens for understanding and meaning; speaks and writes effectively. Willing to assist other agency employees when they need help and willing to share ideas with others. Able to adjust behavior and style to adapt to needs of others on the team.