Public Health Assistant

Public Health Assistant/WIC Program (Spanish Bilingual Preferred)

Description

Implement program policies and protocols and set the tone for excellent customer service to participants in the WIC offices. WPHA’s will complete certifications for low-risk participants, determining income, identity, and residency eligibility, completing nutrition assessments, providing basic nutrition education and completing food package assignments and referring participants to other social services and community resources, documenting accordingly, participating in breastfeeding promotion and support, issuing food benefits and serving as the liaison to WIC food vendors. In consultation and collaboration with health professionals, duties will include interviewing of participants for basic medical/social/nutritional history, obtaining anthropometric and biochemical measurements, and assessing immunization status of participants.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Provides nutrition and health assessments, education, and support.
• Promotes normal growth and maintenance of health.
• Provides breastfeeding education and support.
• Consultation with WIC dietitians to ensure special dietary needs of participants are met.
• Work as a team in collaboration with other staff within the clinic to assure exceptional service provision.
• In coordination with the team will help identify resource needs and prepare/submit purchasing requests that may include, but is not limited to, eWIC cards, breast pumps and formula.
• In coordination with the team will help maintain inventory including computers and other equipment, eWIC cards, breast pumps and formula.
• Works collaboratively with their local agency to develop Strategic Community Outreach & Outcomes Plan (SCOOP) focusing on nutrition, outreach, and breastfeeding goals for the population served.
• Promote immunizations, oral health, and other public health services.
• Collaborates with community partners and providers to build effective working relationships, enhance referral pathways, and explore opportunities to partner in new and innovative ways.
• Explain the purpose of WIC to participants (what to expect at appointment).
• Document all interaction with applicants/ participants.
• Accurately obtain, determine and document proof of residence, proof of identity and proof of income.
• Assess eligibility for SNAP, Medicaid and TANF to determine adjunct eligibility for WIC services and refer potentially eligible participants to such services.
• Consistently use proper procedures to collect accurate biochemical and anthropometric measurements and medical and dietary assessment data.
• Provide basic nutrition education, including breastfeeding promotion and support, which is responsive to the identified needs/interests of the participant.
• Assist with benefit issuance that may include direct issuance of formula.· In coordination with the team, may print and distribute Notice of Ineligibility (mail, text, email, in-person)
• Print and review Clients Eligible for Benefits reports monthly. Issue benefits as needed and attempt to contact client to schedule next appointment.
• Print, provide and handle reports and statistical information as requested (dual participation, high-risk, show rates, etc.)
• Print reports and contact participants to schedule appointments (follow-up contact, short certification report, clients scheduled outside 10/20 day limit)
• Coordinate with the Team to review and respond to over issuance reports.
• May act as a Vendor Liaison; provide general, local oversight and serve as point of contact for WIC retailers, investigate to resolve participants/vendor complaints or shopping issues, documenting outcome, and report ongoing/serious retailer issues to Central Office Vendor Team for follow-up.Meet requirements for pregnant women who have missed appointments to identify barriers and help overcome for access to WIC Program.
• Breastfeeding complications refer to DBE, CLC or IBCLC.
• Maintain the caseload that is assigned.
• Notify the Registered Dietitian when a high-risk participant appointment (certification, recertification, or PCERT) was completed. Registered Dietitian will then review.
• Assist the Central Office Program Integrity Specialist with program integrity as requested.
• May provide WIC services utilizing the Wellness on Wheels (WOW) van.
• Participate in conferences, WIC meetings, and in-services.
• May participate in outreach activities and participant special events.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Possession of a valid driver’s license
• Reliable transportation (travel is required)
• High school diploma
• Literacy and language skills appropriate to address the needs of diverse populations
• Post-secondary education in a health-related field is desirable
• Bilingual (Spanish) is a plus

Work Location: Huron Local Agency. Travel is required