WIC Health Educator

Teche Action Clinic • Franklin, LA

84d

About The Position

Teche Health, A Federally Qualified Health Center, per Section 330 of the Public Health Service Act, is currently seeking qualified applicants for a WIC Health Educator in Franklin, Louisiana. This is a full-time position. Office hours are Monday - Thursday 7:30am - 5:30pm and Friday 8:00am - 12:00noon. The role involves planning, promoting, and implementing health education programs, providing appropriate nutrition management to medical, prenatal, and WIC patients in accordance with the TAC and WIC guidelines, and coordinating group sessions.

Requirements

• Baccalaureate degree in nutrition, dietetics, human ecology, home economics, family and consumer sciences, health promotion, pre-medicine, or nursing.
• An associate degree in nutrition, dietetics, human ecology, home economics, family and consumer sciences, health promotion, pre-medicine, or nursing plus two years of experience as a WIC Clinic Nutrition Educator in the State of Louisiana will substitute for the baccalaureate degree.
• Twelve semester hours in food and nutrition or dietetics plus three years of experience working as a WIC Clinic Nutrition Educator in the State of Louisiana will substitute for the baccalaureate degree.
• Demonstrates ability to effectively communicate and establish rapport with participants.
• Basic math skills.
• Demonstrates ability to utilize skills and knowledge of nutrition to appropriately evaluate lab values and nutritional requirements in prescribing food packages and monitoring interventions of nutritional instructions.
• Computer basics to include proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and the Internet.
• Demonstrate organized approach to work with detail and an ability to multitask.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the principles of human nutrition and clinical nutrition principles and practices.
• Adhere to the policy and procedures as regulated by TAC and State of Louisiana WIC program.

Responsibilities

• Serves at Competent Professional Authority (CPA) for the WIC program, including determining eligibility for WIC, evaluating lab values, nutritional requirements, and prescribing food packages.
• Conduct patient consultations and perform assessments to evaluate nutritional needs, assign appropriate risk code, provide nutrition education utilizing appropriate communication skills, and make recommendations for improved nutritional status of patients and participants of WIC.
• Appropriately refers participants of high-risk nutritional needs to WIC Nutritionist/Dietitian, as needed.
• Participate in establishing department strategic goals and priorities by attending department meetings monthly or more as needed.
• Consults with Regional Administrators and Nutritionists to assist in planning and developing programs in establishing and maintaining nutrition education programs.
• Conducts monthly mandatory outreach to improve access to the Louisiana WIC Program.
• Provides breastfeeding support to WIC participants and women in the parish community and facilitates links to medical support in the area of breastfeeding concerns.
• Plan and participate in surveys and provide communication to improve the nutrition and dietary components of assigned programs for compliance with state and federal licensure and certification rules and regulations.
• Network with other health professionals in the development and implementation of interagency information/referral systems to identify patients with nutritional problems and needs.
• Utilize evidence-based practice in research and development of current concepts in nutrition and nutritional education.
• Utilize appropriate time management skills in conducting appointments to ensure everyone is seen in a timely manner.
• Maintain schedules and prepare reports and correspondences related to duties performed as requested and/or noted in WIC policy and procedures.
• Coordinate a wide range of health education services, including establishing effective referral and publicity systems, monitoring quality and documentation, providing scheduling and logistical support, and facilitating use of community services to promote cost-effective health education services.
• Document appropriately in medical record and LaWIN following Teche Action Clinics and State of Louisiana WIC program guidelines.

Benefits

• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Successful completion of State of Louisiana WIC initial and continuing education on Couresmill Learning Modules System.
• Completion of OPH and TAC mandatory initial and continuing educations along with other in-services.
• Attends work with minimal absences.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees