WIC Program Assistant/Nutrition Assistant I

WIC Program Assistant/Nutrition Assistant I

Pay Range: $21.00 - $25.00

Community Teamwork is a private non-profit organization located in Lowell MA. We employee over 600 employees and are a catalyst for social change. We leverage our programs, our partnerships, and our collective voice to foster equity, compassion, and community engagement by creating housing, education, and economic opportunities.

Position Summary:

The WIC Program Assistant/Nutrition Assistant will be part of a team that is focused on helping families to meet their nutrition goals. They will perform income assessment and eligibility determination, receptionist and clerical duties, obtain anthropometric and hematological data, tailor food prescriptions, and issue benefits for healthy foods and support family needs through referrals. The WIC Program Assistant/Nutrition Assistant will perform nutrition assessments, determine health and nutrition risk, and provide nutrition education and counseling once CPA status is achieved.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

Perform reception duties such as:

• Answer direct phone calls and emails.
• Provide referrals to other health and social services.
• Screen applicant inquiries for eligibility.
• Manage appointment scheduling/rescheduling including reminder phone calls.
• Greet and triage participants to appropriate staff.
• Oversee flow of applicants/participants in waiting area.
• Clerical duties as required.

Follow all protocols and/or regulations for processing applicants/participants for (re)certification including:

• Verification of identity, income, residency, and participant category. Complete data entry for (re)certification.
• Educate and/or explain participant's rights and responsibilities, authorized representatives, WIC foods, and using the WIC card at authorized vendors.
• Referrals to MassHealth, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and Transitional Aid to Families of Dependent Children (TAFDC) programs as well as other health and human service programs.
• Provide notification for end of certification, missed benefits, and/or ineligibility to receive WIC benefits.
• Anthropometric and hematological data collection.

Oversee benefit issuance for prescribed food prescription including:

• (Re)issuing of food/formula prescription benefits.
• Security of WIC Card stock.

Enroll in CPA1 training within 18 months of hire and upon completion of Program Assistant training to obtain CPA I nutritionist assistant status. The Program Assistant/Nutrition Assistant will be required to attend trainings remotely and/or at the DPH-WIC Learning Center.

Completes and receives acceptable status on all components, activities and post-tests of CPAI training program to obtain CPAI status.

Provides nutrition care for low-risk children at certification and follow-up, including all aspects of:

• Anthropometric and hematological data collection.
• Dietary and nutritional risk assessment.
• Food package assignment.
• Counseling and education
• Documentation and nutrition data entry
• Health and social service referrals.
• Follow-up nutrition education.
• Performing other duties as needed including participating in quality assurance activities

Uphold the values of CTI Equity, Integrity, Compassion.

The duties listed above are representative of the work performed. Other related duties may be assigned.

Qualifications:

• High School or equivalent
• One year of general office experience and one year experience in a health care field such as a counselor, educator, clinical assistant, outreach worker, or home health aide required.
• One-year general office experience with proficient computer skills
• One year experience in a health care field such as a counselor, educator, clinical assistant, outreach worker, or home health aide required.
• Interest in nutrition or health care.
• Excellent Customer Service, organizational, interpersonal, written and oral communication skills.
• Good attention to detail.
• Sensitivity to the needs of the participant population
• Proficient computer skills required in basic computer software and data collection systems.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Availability to work at multiple WIC sites and during evening and weekend hours, as needed

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bilingual preferred (specific bilingual capacity needed as appropriate to the community served by the local WIC program).
• 1-year of prior related experience

Compensation and Benefit Information

At Community Teamwork, our employees enjoy best-in-class benefits to support their physical, financial, and emotional wellness. We offer:

• 4 Weeks of Paid Time Off - Paid Sick Leave - 12 paid holidays.
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance - Company Paid Life Insurance Critical Illness Insurance-Pet Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement - Career Advancement and Professional Development Opportunities
• 5% employer contribution to your 401K retirement account after 6 months of employment
• Great co-workers and a great mission with an outstanding Community Action offering a chance to help make a real difference in the lives of those we serve.