WIC Nutrition Assistant I at Fair Haven Community Health Care – new haven, Connecticut

Fair Haven Community Health Care

For over 54 years, FHCHC has been an innovative and vibrant community health center, catering to multiple generations with over 165,000 office visits across 21 locations. Guided by a Board of Directors, most of whom are patients themselves, we take pride in being a healthcare leader dedicated to delivering high-quality, affordable medical and dental care to everyone, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay. Our extensive range of primary and specialty care services, along with evidence-based programs, empowers patients to make informed choices about their health. As we expand our reach to underserved areas, our commitment to prioritizing patient needs remains unwavering. FHCHC's mission is to enhance the health and social well-being of the communities we serve through equitable, high-quality, and culturally responsive patient-centered care.

Job purpose

This is a position that is crossed trained as both a Nutrition Assistant and WIC Program Assistant, with primary focus on the program’s participant services. The overall purpose is to ensure prenatal and postpartum women, infants, and children meet State and Federal WIC guidelines in order to receive WIC benefits. Assists with the quality implementation of program and participant services as part of the WIC
nutrition team.

Duties and responsibilities

Responsible for WIC program participant services and assists in the certification of WIC applicants including:

• Interviewing to obtain basic demographic data and verifying identity, residency, and income eligibility by reviewing paperwork presented and entering all data into CT WIC.
• Performs follow up phone calls for all missed appointments.
• Answers WIC phone, handles calls for requests for general information, scheduling and rescheduling appointments, lost WIC cards, etc.
• Performs necessary paperwork including maintaining participant files and accurate documentation in accordance to State WIC regulations.
• Provides and documents referrals to health and social service programs and appropriate documentation of follow up.
• Assists in participant orientation including, but not limited to, general program information, approved food guide and Family Benefits List, eWIC and card use, program eligibility criteria, policies and procedures, and rights and responsibilities.
• Promotes breastfeeding as the normal infant feeding method.
• Assists in the preparation of nutrition education materials (e.g. newsletters, pamphlets), visual aids (e.g. bulletins, displays), and activities (e.g. classes).
• Organizes, tacks, and distributes Farmers’ Market checks.
• Participates in outreach opportunities.
• Interprets for patients when needed.
• Ensures patient confidentiality.
• Attends and participates in all training and continuing education sessions offered by the State WIC Program.
• Provides nutrition care for low-risk children at follow-ups, including:
• Collects and enters information for the certification process that includes anthropometric and hematological data collection.
• Provides and documents general participant-centered nutrition education both individually and in facilitated group discussions as appropriate (low-risk only).
• Adequately documents participant contacts to ensure continuity of care, identifying where participants are in the process of change, agreed upon goals and other pertinent information essential for supporting participants.
• Identifies and refers participants to a Nutritionist when an issue or concern is beyond the established scope of practice.
• Performs other necessary duties as required by FHCHC to achieve the goal of providing primary health care.

Qualifications

High school diploma or GED equivalency with at least one year of experience working in a medical office or performing clerical duties. Additional education can be substituted for work history.

• Successful completion of WIC paraprofessional training program within one year of appointment to the position.
• Ability to communicate clearly, both orally and in writing, in English and Spanish.
• Exceptional customer service skills with the ability to establish rapport with participants.
• Knowledge of nutrition and breastfeeding concepts and/or openness to learn and support positive feeding practices.
• Knowledge of computer and data entry, including, but not limited to, electronic medical records.
• Effectively collaborates with the WIC and FHCHC staff to ensure quality services for WIC participants.

American with Disabilities Requirements:

External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled, must be able to perform the essential job specific functions (listed within each job specific responsibility) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by the organization on a case by case basis.

Fair Haven Community Health Care is an Equal Opportunity Employer. FHCHC does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.