Public Health Assistant

Lake County•Waukegan, IL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Public Health Assistant is a valuable member of our Nutrition Services team who under the direct supervision of the Senior/Lead Dietitian or Office Manager III, facilitates client entry into the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), screens clients for eligibility, performs anthropometric measurements, hemoglobin testing, answers incoming phone calls, schedules appointments, enters required data into computer system and issues benefits. Provides breastfeeding promotion and support to WIC participants. Works at other sites as required.

Requirements

Requires High School Diploma or GED.
Requires 1 year of work experience.
Basic computer knowledge and data entry skills.
Ability to work on weekends, holidays and overtime if necessary.
Ability to maintain and keep records.
Must possess sufficient physical stamina to allow for lifting, pushing, and pulling of objects, regularly exerting up to 30 pounds.
Ability to read, write, and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos.
Some knowledge of spelling, punctuation and grammar.

Responsibilities

Serves as a greeter: schedules appointments, answers client questions, checks clients in and makes phone calls to follow-up with clients who have missed appointments.
Centralized phone duties as assigned.
Assists in determination of eligibility for services by screening clients for income/residency requirements according to program guidelines and enrolls in appropriate services.
Checks WIC identification cards for accuracy and completion, and appropriate signatures.
Electronically completes client intake including participant search, precertification screen, household information and participant information.
Explains program services and clients’ rights & responsibilities.
Promotes breastfeeding as the preferred infant feeding method to all WIC clients.
Performs anthropometric measurements of height, weight, according to procedures.
Performs laboratory duties (hemoglobin tests), according to Standing Orders for Capillary Hemoglobin.
Accurately performs data entry of program-related data and information in the WIC MIS.
Issues benefits to WIC EBT card according to established procedure.
Prepares WIC ID cards for CPAs.
Participates in gathering and maintaining program statistics and completes required forms/reports (including timecard) in a timely manner to ensure accurate data collection.
Maintains clerical and laboratory supplies at assigned workstation.
Completes order form monthly to assure adequate inventory at workstation.
Participates in Continuous Quality Improvement activities to assess, monitor and improve clinic services.
Assists in maintaining office/clinic security by locking up equipment, WIC EBT cards, Farmers’ Market coupons, breastfeeding supplies, and other supplies.
Participates in annual WIC Garden/garden box season activities.
Participates in mandatory in-services and drills, attends staff trainings and other continuing education to update skills, meet programmatic needs, and provide for individual career goals.
Promotes WIC services through outreach activities both internally and in the community.
Acts as an alternate for other sites as required.
Performs duties in a prioritized organized and orderly manner to maximize clinic efficiency and productivity.
Maintains orderliness and cleanliness of clinic and work area.
Develops and maintains a basic knowledge of services available at LCHD.
Has a basic awareness of the Chronic Care Model Processes to reduce health disparities within our communities.
Demonstrates adherence to National Patient Safety Goals.
Develops and maintains a working knowledge of individual Emergency Preparedness roles.
Reports all unusual occurrences that may involve the safety and well-being of the clients and co-workers, directly to the Supervisor, Program/Clinic Coordinator; and/or Safety Officer.