WIC Educator

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 Hourly Pay: $18.42

The WIC Educator provides services to applicants and clients of the NATIVE HEALTH Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). The position is responsible for determining program eligibility, nutrition assessment, and nutrition education. This position functions in a busy clinic setting and coordinates with internal and external health care and social service providers.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

1. Assesses each client’s nutrition status, assigns the appropriate nutrition risks, and provides nutrition education that addresses the client’s needs using a participant-centered method.
2. Takes height, weight and hemoglobin measures as needed and records information correctly.
3. Assesses growth or weight gain during pregnancy accurately and explains to client so it is understandable.
4. Identifies the need for individual care plans and develops goals and ways to meet goals with clients using a participant-centered approach.
5. Documents assessment information, food package assignment, referrals, follow-up on referrals, nutrition counseling and other information for each client.
6. Assigns appropriate food packages and ensures correct documentation when issuing foods and special formulas.
7. Assesses breastfeeding status, provides education on basic breastfeeding problems within the scope of practice, and promotes and supports breastfeeding as the norm for infant feeding.
8. Assesses all postpartum clients’ needs for a breast pump, issues breast pumps according to policy, provides education on how to use the breast pump and how to store breastmilk, and follows-up with clients after issuance.
9. Refers clients to breastfeeding lead, RD, IBCLC or designated breastfeeding expert in the area when an identified breastfeeding problem is beyond scope of practice.
10. Completes vendor site reviews and documents client vendor complaints according to ITCA policies and procedures.
11. Provides WIC nutrition classes and food preparation demonstrations to clients.
12. Performs functions of a certifier.
13. Maintains current knowledge on nutrition and breastfeeding by attending classes, conferences, workshops, and seminars.
14. Maintains confidentiality of client and vendor information.
15. Refers high-risk clients to Registered Dietitian and all clients to applicable health and social services and follows-up on referrals.
16. Attends civil rights training annually.
17. Completes assignments and submit reports, logs, and inventory to the WIC Supervisor in a timely manner.
18. Performs other work-related duties as assigned.

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. 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.
2. 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. 
3. Hours of Work: Vary and are dependent on business needs, requirements, workflow, and assignments. Weekend hours may be required.
4. Job Location: Work will be performed at NATIVE HEALTH clinics in the Greater Phoenix area.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Must pass substance abuse testing upon employment and submit to random testing during employment.
8. Must provide an updated immunization (IZ) record at the time of employment.
9. Must have a current (within 12 months) Tuberculosis (TB) skin report upon employment and provide an annual update.
10. Must obtain BLS certification within (90) calendar days of employment and maintain certification during employment.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

1. Knowledge of nutrition during pregnancy, infancy, and early childhood.
2. Knowledge of the authorized WIC foods and food packages. Proficiency in nutrition assessment and counseling skills.
3. Knowledge of WIC and other federal nutrition programs and American Indian/Alaskan Native tribal governments.
4. Knowledge of health and social services programs in the community.
5. Knowledge of cultural values and beliefs of the population that affect nutrition status.
6. Knowledge of common infant formulas and their use.
7. Knowledge of common health conditions and nutrition implications.
8. Knowledge of WIC certification and eligibility requirements.
9. Knowledge and skill in breastfeeding promotion, identification of problems, counseling of mothers and support of mothers.
10. Excellent organizational and time management skills.
11. Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal skills.
12. High proficiency and skill in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Explorer, and ability to learn other software applications as needed.
13. Willingness to work independently and as part of a team.
14. Ability to use Participant-Centered Services Skills such as rapport building, affirmations, open-ended questions, reflections and summarizing in counseling and tools provided.
15. Ability to adapt to new situations, policies, and procedures.
16. Ability to understand, interpret and explain read growth grids and weight gain grids.
17. Strong ability to speak clearly, concisely, and effectively one-on-one and in groups.
18. Ability to work in a fast-paced, stressful environment. Demonstrated ability to develop goals and ways to meet goals with clients.
19. Ability to conduct effective group discussions and classes.
20. Ability to pay close attention to detail and maintain comprehensive records.
21. Demonstrated ability to critically think.

Native Health is an EEOC, Employment-At-Will, and Native American Preference employer.  A Drug Free and Commercial Smoke-Free work environment.