Competent Professional Authority - WIC

Primary Purpose

Under general supervision, obtains participant data needed for the certification process according to state policies and procedures. Prescribes supplemental foods and formulas and provides nutrition and breastfeeding education. Assists the WIC health professional assistant regarding program standard eligibility duties and activities.

Essential Job Functions

Management reserves the rights to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.  Regular and consistent attendance for the assigned work schedule is essential.  

Obtains and documents demographic information, height/length, weight, hemoglobin and hematocrit, oral assessment, nutrition assessment and other necessary medical and/or health information to certify WIC participants. Shall document all data obtained in the Management Information System (MIS).

Completes nutrition assessments. Completes a breastfeeding assessment. When a mother requests formula supplementation, provide proper counseling and support in order to help the mother establish a successful milk supply.

Identifies high-risk participants and schedules appointments with nutritionist.

Assigns the participant a monthly issuance cycle and document in a SOAP note.

Assists in the promotion and support of breastfeeding as the preferred method of feeding.

Issues breast pumps to breastfeeding participants per policy.

Determines WIC eligibility and assigns risk factors.

Provides nutrition education and counseling about non-high-risk risk factors and topics.

Prescribes appropriate food packages, exempt formulas and WIC-eligible nutritionals in accordance with policies and procedures.

Coordinates nutrition services with medical providers as appropriate. Provides relevant health/nutrition information and referral services to participants.

Participates in staff in-services and training sessions related to WIC and City of Joplin policies and procedural changes.

May conduct training as assigned by supervising staff.

Maintains the confidentiality of files, records, reports and data as required by law, city polity and procedure.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of:  The principles and practices of nutrition and food, particularly in relation to health and disease. The benefits of breastfeeding and understanding of how to support the breastfeeding mother. Adult learning principles, stages of change and basic counseling methods. Social, cultural and economic problems and their impact on public health concerns.  General organization and function of public health agencies. Effective use of educational materials when providing nutrition education and counseling. Basic computer fundamentals and literacy. 

Skill in:  Accurately obtaining and analyzing anthropometric measurements and nutrition assessment of participants. Planning and organizing work assignments. Demonstration of rapport-building skills by establishing and maintaining effective working relations with WIC participants, WIC team members and other health and social services personnel. Microsoft Office Suite. 

Education:  Registered nurse (RN), physician or physician’s assistant, dietetic technician, registered (DTR) with an associate degree, licensed practical nurse (LPN), International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) or a four-year degree from an accredited college or university in social work, sociology, counseling, psychology, public health, health education, health science, biomedical science, education or related field subject to SA technical assistance (TA) nutritionist approval; or

Four years of consecutive WIC experience within the last six years as a Health Professional Assistant or Breastfeeding Peer Counselor may be substituted for education with a letter of recommendation from the Local Agency nutrition coordinator and approval from your State Agency and Technical Assistance nutritionist.

Undergraduate nutrition hours are preferred but not required.

Experience:  No prior experience is required, but community health experience is desirable.

Licenses and Certifications:  Possess and maintain a valid state issued driver’s license. Must maintain an active Missouri license when required by state law. Must complete the required number of approved nutrition or breastfeeding-related CEUs annually.

Physical Demands Requirements and Working Conditions

This is primarily an office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required.  Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; hearing and speech to communicate in person, in a classroom setting and over the telephone.  Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve file information.  Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push and pull materials up to 50 pounds.

Employees work in an office environment with moderate to high noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances.  Employees may interact with upset members of the public or their representatives while enforcing departmental policies and procedures.