WIC Nutrition Assistant I

Fair Haven Community Health Care

FHCHC is a forwardthinking dynamic and exciting community health center that provides care for multiple generations at over 143000 office visits in 21 by a Board of Directors the majority of whom are patients themselves we are proud to offer a wide range of primary and specialty care services as well as evidencebased patient programs to educate patients in healthy lifestyle choices. As we grow and are able to bring highquality health care to more areas that need access we continue to put our patients first in everything we do. The mission of FHCHC is To improve the health and social wellbeing of the communities we serve through equitable high quality patientcentered care that is culturally responsive.

For 53 years we have been a health care leader in our community focused on providing excellent affordable primary care to all patients regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. Fair Haven is proud to have a motivated team of professionals who are constantly seeking ways to enhance and improve the health and wellbeing of all patients.We believe that everyone should have access to highquality medical and dental care regardless of ability to pay.

Job purpose

Under immediate supervision the WIC Nutrition Assistant I determines Women Infant and Children
(WIC) applicant program eligibility and continuing eligibility provides nutrition and breastfeeding information and education to program participants evaluates nutritional needs issues WIC food benefits develops care plans for lowrisk program participants provides group classes makes referrals and performs other related tasks.

Duties and responsibilities

Responsible for WIC program participant services and assists in the certification of WIC applicants including:

• Interviewing to obtain basic demographic data and verifying identity residency and income eligibility by reviewing paperwork presented and entering all data into CT WIC
• Assists in participant orientation including but not limited to general program information approved food guide and Family Benefits List eWIC and card use program eligibility criteria policies and procedures and rights and responsibilities
• Collects and enters information for the certification process to include anthropometric and hematological data and plotting on the appropriate growth chart
• Provides and documents general participantcentered nutrition education to include individual and family sessions as well as group discussions (appropriate risk level only)
• Adequately documents participant contacts to ensure continuity of care clearly identifying where participants are in the process of change agreed upon goals and other pertinent information essential for supporting participants
• Performs follow up phone calls for all missed appointments
• Answers WIC phone handles calls for requests for general information scheduling and rescheduling appointments lost WIC cards etc. as assigned by Site Nutritionist/Manager
• Performs necessary paperwork including maintaining participant files and accurate documentation in accordance to State WIC regulations
• Provides and documents referrals to health and social service programs and appropriate documentation of follow up
• Promotes breastfeeding as the normal infant feeding method
• May assist in the preparation of nutrition education materials (e.g. newsletters pamphlets) visual aids (e.g. bulletins displays) and activities (e.g. classes)
• Participates in outreach opportunities
• Interprets for patients when needed
• Ensures patient confidentiality
• Attends and participates in all training and continuing education sessions offered by the State WIC Program
• Identifies and refers participants to a Nutritionist when an issue or concern is beyond the established scope of practice
• Performs other necessary duties as required by FHCHC to achieve the goal of providing primary health care.

• Successful completion of WIC paraprofessional training program within one year of appointment to the position
• Ability to communicate clearly both orally and in writing in English and Spanish
• Exceptional customer service skills with the ability to establish rapport with participants
• Knowledge of nutrition and breastfeeding concepts and/or openness to learn and support positive feeding practices
• Knowledge of computer data entry and Microsoft Office
• Familiarity with CT WIC and Epic is preferred but not required
• Effectively collaborates with the WIC and FHCHC staff to ensure quality services for WIC participants.

What we offer:

• Major medical dental and vision
• Voluntary benefits (AFLAC plane STD LTD & Life Insurance)
• Paid Holidays
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Tuition reimbursement
• And much more

American with Disabilities Requirements:

External and internal applicants as well as position incumbents who become disabled must be able to perform the essential job specific functions (listed within each job specific responsibility) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by the organization on a case by case basis.

Fair Haven Community Health Care is an Equal Opportunity Employer. FHCHC does not discriminate on the basis of race religion color sex gender identity sexual orientation age nondisqualifying physical or mental disability national origin veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications merit and business need.