WIC Educator

Company Description

At NATIVE HEALTH, we strive to provide the best health care available for urban American Indians, Alaska Natives, and other individuals who generally experience barriers to health and wellness services.

Mission: To provide accessible holistic patient centered care, to empower our community to achieve the highest quality health and well-being.

Vision: Healthy People in Healthy Communities.

NATIVE HEALTH Benefits and Perks Include:

• Medical, Vision, and Dental Insurance
• Retirement Benefits - Up to 5% Matching Contribution
• Paid Time Off/Sick Leave
• Paid Holidays (12)
• Tuition Reimbursement and Educational Leave
• Employee Recognition Program

Starting Annual Salary: $18.98

Job Description

The WIC Educator provides services to applicants and clients of the NATIVE HEALTH Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for woman, Infant, and Children (WIC). The position functions in a busy clinic setting and coordinates with internal and external health care and social services providers. This position reports directly to the WIC Supervisor under the general supervision of the Community Health and Wellness Director.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

1. Nutrition Services and Client Care

Measures of Success:

1. Conduct comprehensive nutrition assessments for pregnant, postpartum, breastfeeding women, infants, and children according to NATIVE HEALTH and WIC ITCA policies.
2. Assess nutrition risk factors and provide individualized, participant-centered nutrition
3. Accurately obtain and document anthropometric and hematological measurements, including height, weight, hemoglobin, and pregnancy weight gain assessments.
4. Develop individualized care plans, establish achievable nutrition goals with participants, and provide ongoing follow-up and support.
5. Assign appropriate food packages and special formulas according to program regulations while ensuring accurate documentation.
6. Identify high-risk participants and coordinate referrals to the Registered Dietitian or other healthcare professionals as appropriate.
7. Perform WIC certification and recertification functions within the scope of practice.

2. Breastfeeding Promotion and Support

Measures of Success:

1. Promote breastfeeding as the preferred method of infant feeding through education, encouragement, and participant-centered counseling.
2. Assess breastfeeding status and provide education on common breastfeeding concerns within the scope of practice.
3. Assess postpartum participants for breast pump eligibility, issue breast pumps according to policy, provide instruction on pump use, breast milk storage, and proper cleaning procedures, and complete follow-up as required.
4. Refer participants with complex breastfeeding concerns to the Breastfeeding Lead, Registered Dietitian, IBCLC, or other designated breastfeeding specialists.

3. Program Compliance and Documentation

Measures of Success:

1. Maintain complete, accurate, and timely electronic documentation of participant assessments, nutrition counseling, food package issuance, referrals, and follow-up activities.
2. Ensure compliance with USDA, WIC ITCA, NATIVE HEALTH, and applicable federal and state regulations, policies, and procedures.
3. Maintain participant confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA and program requirements.
4. Complete annual Civil Rights training and all required compliance training.
5. Conduct vendor monitoring activities, including vendor site reviews and documentation of participant vendor complaints in accordance with ITCA policies.

4. Community Education and Outreach

Measures of Success:

1. Plan and facilitate individual and group nutrition education classes, food demonstrations, and community presentations that promote healthy eating and wellness as needed.
2. Participate in community outreach activities, health fairs, and recruitment efforts to increase awareness of WIC services and improve participant access.
3. Support breastfeeding awareness initiatives, nutrition campaigns, and other health promotion activities within the community.

5. Program Development, Quality Improvement, and Reporting

Measures of Success:

1. Assist with continuous quality improvement initiatives to enhance participant services and program outcomes.
2. Document program data to support monthly, quarterly, annual, and grant reporting requirements.
3. Support with inventory, educational materials, and breastfeeding equipment to ensure accountability and availability.
4. Identify opportunities to improve nutrition education materials, participant engagement, and service delivery.
5. Participate in program evaluations, audits, and quality assurance activities.

6. Professional Development

Measures of Success:

1. Maintain current knowledge of nutrition science, maternal and child health, breastfeeding, USDA WIC regulations, and participant-centered counseling techniques.
2. Participate in required trainings, conferences, workshops, and continuing education opportunities to maintain professional competency.
3. Apply evidence-based practices and current program guidance to participant care and education.
4. Attend and complete any required educational courses to meet program requirements.

7. Organizational Support and Collaboration

Measures of Success:

1. Collaborate effectively with WIC staff, Registered Dietitians, Breastfeeding Peer Counselors, healthcare providers, and community partners to coordinate participant care.
2. Complete assignments, reports, logs, inventories, and other administrative responsibilities accurately and within established timelines.
3. Support department initiatives, special projects, accreditation activities, and organizational events.
4. Demonstrate professionalism, cultural humility, excellent customer service, and commitment to NATIVE HEALTH's mission, values, and participant-centered care.
5. Perform other duties as assigned to support departmental and organizational objectives.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

1. Knowledge of nutrition during pregnancy, infancy, and early childhood, including common health conditions and their nutritional implications, common infant formulas and their appropriate use, and the ability to interpret and explain growth and pregnancy weight-gain grids.
2. Knowledge of WIC requirements, including certification and eligibility, authorized foods and food packages, and other applicable federal nutrition programs.
3. Knowledge of breastfeeding promotion and support, including identification of common breastfeeding concerns, counseling and supporting breastfeeding mothers, and appropriate referrals within scope of practice.
4. Knowledge of community health and social service resources, American Indian/Alaska Native Tribal governments, and how cultural values and beliefs may influence nutrition and health.
5. Proficiency in nutrition assessment, counseling, and Participant-Centered Services skills, including rapport building, affirmations, open-ended questions, reflections, summarizing, and collaboratively developing goals and strategies with clients.
6. Excellent oral, written, interpersonal, and communication skills, with the ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and effectively with individuals and groups and to facilitate effective group discussions and educational classes.
7. Excellent organizational and time-management skills, with strong attention to detail and the ability to maintain accurate and comprehensive records.
8. Demonstrated critical-thinking and problem-solving skills and the ability to adapt effectively to new situations, policies, procedures, and changing priorities.
9. Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team in a fast-paced and potentially stressful environment.
10. Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, internet-based applications, and the ability to learn and effectively use additional software and technology as required.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE/REQUIREMENTS:

1. High school diploma and completes the Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona (ITCA) competency-based training program on performing the duties of a WIC Educator within 60 days of hire and college courses paid by ITCA with passing grades at Central Arizona College Dietetic Education Program within 18 months of hire.
2. Preferred: Dietetic Technician Registered or associate degree in Nutrition and successfully completes the ITCA competency-based training program; or Nutritionist (Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in Nutritional Sciences, Community Nutrition, Clinical Nutrition, Dietetics, Public Health Nutrition or Home Economics with emphasis in Nutrition), Registered Dietitian, Registered Nurse and successfully completes the ITCA competency-based training program within 60 days of hire.
3. Physical: Lifting and carrying up to 30 lbs.; bending, twisting, reaching, climbing, kneeling, walking, standing, and sitting for long periods of time; Prolonged periods of computer use, writing, and use of other tools necessary to perform duties and complete assignments; Ascending and descending stairs; Talking, hearing, seeing, listening and ability to understand; Repetitive use of hands, fingers, arms and eyes.
4. Hours of Work: Vary and are dependent on business needs, requirements, workflow, and assignments. Weekend hours may be required.
5. Job Location: Work will be performed at NATIVE HEALTH clinics in the Greater Phoenix area.
6. Preference given to applicants based on the following criteria: bilingual in Spanish; experience working with American Indian/Alaskan Native communities; experience with nutrition counseling of minority populations; experience in the WIC Program; experience and knowledge using a case management or database system; and is an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant.
7. Must possess a valid and unrestricted Arizona driver’s license (within 30 days of hire if applicant is from out-of-state) with no DUI/DWI or reckless driving convictions in the last five years. No more than two at-fault accidents in the last three years. Must maintain a valid Arizona driver’s license during employment. Must be insurable under NATIVE HEALTH’s liability auto policy.
8. Must pass a criminal background check and obtain a Class I Fingerprint Clearance Card within the initial ninety (90) calendar days of employment and retain a valid card while employed with NATIVE HEALTH.
9. Must pass substance abuse testing upon employment and submit to random testing during employment.
10. Must provide an updated immunization (IZ) record at the time of employment.
11. Must have a current (within 12 months) Tuberculosis (TB) skin report upon employment and provide an annual update.
12. Must obtain Basic Life Support (BLS) certification within (90) calendar days of employment and maintain certification during employment.

Additional Information

Native Health complies with all state and federal requirements, including EEOC requirements.