WIC Nutrition Education Specialist (Congress - Peds and Dental)

Monday, Wednesday - Friday 8am - 5pm and Tuesday 7:30am - 4:30pm

$15.75 - $20.27 per hour/DOE

JOB PURPOSE: The WIC Nutrition Education Specialist serves as a paraprofessional under general supervision of a WIC Nutrition Services Manager/RDN.  The Nutrition Education Specialist screens, certifies, and provides participant centered nutrition assessments, nutrition education basic breastfeeding guidance services and other duties essential for the operation of the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC.)

The WIC Nutrition Education Specialist is accountable to the following El Rio Health WIC Program specific goals:

• Every participant is provided services utilizing the participant centered services delivery model. 
• Support and promote every mothers’ goal for breastfeeding.
• Encourage and empower families to incorporate healthy lifestyle choices supporting healthy growth and weight.

Essential Job Functions: 

• Determines WIC program eligibility in accordance with local, state, and federal regulations and procedures.
• Provides excellent customer service in person and/or by telephone.
• Explains program procedures, regulations, processes and timeframes to applicants and representatives, utilizing WIC Rights and Obligations
• Provides instructions for participants who do not comply with program procedures and regulations and supports bringing participants into compliance.
• Conducts interviews and accurately documents information on residency, income, and family situation in a computerized participant database.
• Obtains, evaluates, and documents measurements of stature, weight, and hemoglobin. 
• Conducts assessments based on the ABCDE Assessment Guide
• Provides participant centered nutrition education to participants individually or in groups according to age, category, health risks, and family needs. 
• Ensures that all participants shall be offered the opportunity to receive quarterly participant centered nutrition education contacts during a certification.
• Ensures that nutrition education, including goals and next steps is documented in each individual’s record with at typed note using the TGIF note type and is included in the notes section completed the day of appointment.
• Utilizes the Getting to the Heart of the Matter style of emotion-based nutrition education.
• Provides breastfeeding support and promotes a culture of breastfeeding.
• Documents refusal of nutrition education
• Makes certain that nutrition education materials are appropriate, state approved, and permission is obtained from participant before being offered. 
• Assigns appropriate food benefit package for eligible participants based on age, category, health risks and family needs.
• Evaluates WIC applicants and participant’s needs for health care, financial, and social assistance in order to make and document appropriate referrals.
• Ensures referrals to Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) for all High-Risk Participants during their certification period.
•  Schedules and re-schedules participant appointments according to allowable time limits when needed.
•  Maintains security and inventory of benefit supplies (Farmers market Checks and eWIC card).
•  Plans and participates in community outreach activities.
• Attends meetings, trainings, and conferences as required.
• Conducts ongoing quality assurance in laboratory procedures and participates in other QA or QI projects.
• Opens and / or closes the clinic as assigned.
• Submits appropriate documentation to WIC Nutrition Services Manager when requested including but not limited to mileage reimbursement and time studies.
• Completes and documents timely follow-up on assigned Caseload Management Reports.
• Maintains a clean, safe, and hygienic work environment in compliance with all Policies and Procedures including but not limited to work areas, workstations, examination rooms, hand washing, infection prevention and control etc. for this position.
• Demonstrates an understanding of and proficiency with the application of all compliance and reporting requirements respective to Joint Commission Certification (JCC) standards.

Minimum Education and Experience:

• High School Diploma or General Education Diploma (G.E.D.)
• Currently meet Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) competencies for Nutrition Education Specialists.

If applicable, equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered, and must be directly related to the functions and responsibilities of the job.

Required Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations:

• Level I fingerprint clearance card: current valid and in good standing or have applied for it within seven working days after beginning employment.
• Employees in this position are required to have reliable transportation that can meet any operational reassignments of the organization during the workday.  If an employee is driving during work hours, the employee is required to possess a valid driver’s license and must be in compliance with Arizona vehicle insurance requirements.

Preferred Education, Experience, Skills, Abilities:

• Associates degree in nutrition, healthcare or a related field from an accredited university.
• Prior work or volunteer experience in a healthcare setting.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) with the ability to speak, read and write in both languages.

El Rio Health is a diverse and inclusive organization. We are invested in helping you and your family Create Tomorrow.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

El Rio Health does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age 40 and over, disability, genetic information, military status, ancestry, marital status, familial status, or any other status protected by law or regulation. 

It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity and that selection decisions are based on job-related factors.

El Rio Health requires all employees (except those 100% working remotely) to have a Level One Fingerprint Clearance card. A.R.S. 36.425.03. If the prospective employee does not possess this prior to hire, fingerprint application must be completed within 7 days post hire. 

All employees are strongly recommended to obtain COVID 19 and maintain vaccination status (i.e. as recommended by CDC and/or other public health agencies) to include an Influenza vaccination. Personnel who decline to receive COVID 19 and/or flu vaccination per most recent CDC recommendations will be recommended to wear a facemask while in an El Rio Health facility, including both clinical and non-clinical areas from November 1 to April 30 (subject to change depending on viral activity). If an employee is symptomatic, it is highly recommended that they wear a mask. Subject to exemptions and accommodations when required by law. (See Reference Adm-016 & Adm-045)

All employees are required to undergo drug testing prior to employment and, will be subject to post-accident, reasonable suspicion, return to duty and follow up drug and alcohol testing in compliance with Federal and State regulations for alcohol and controlled substance testing. Employees in positions holding responsibility for the safety and welfare of others will also be classified as safety sensitive. 

El Rio Health is a Non-profit 501 (c)(3) Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) and abides by all applicable federal Drug-Free Workplace standards.