WIC Certifier Nutritionist

Overview

In 2020, united in a fierce commitment to deliver the highest quality care and exceptional patient experience, Virginia Mason and CHI Franciscan Health came together as natural partners to build a new health system centered around the patient: Virginia Mason Franciscan Health. Our combined system builds upon the scale and expertise of our nearly 300 sites of care, including 11 hospitals and nearly 5,000 physicians and providers. Together, we are empowered to make an even greater impact on the health and well-being of our communities.

CHI Franciscan and Virginia Mason are now united to build the future of patient-centered care across the Pacific Northwest. That means a seamlessly connected system offering quality care close to home. From basic health needs to the most complex, highly specialized care, our patients can count on us to meet their needs with convenient access to the region's most prestigious experts and innovative treatments and technologies.

While you're busy impacting the healthcare industry, we'll take care of you with benefits that may include health/dental/vision, FSA, matching retirement plans, paid vacation, adoption assistance, annual bonus eligibility, and more!

Responsibilities

Franciscan Medical Group is seeking a (Per Diem) .000125 FTE WIC Certifier - Nutritionist for the Franciscan WIC Clinic in Lakewood/Parkland. Come join our dedicated, passionate team to encourage and support healthy lifestyle goals for womens, infants and children. We enjoy the important, enriching work we are privileged to do every day. We offer a Saturday clinic to meet our clients needs once a month who are not able to make weekday appointments.

Job Summary:

Conducts nutritional assessments to determine the clients' eligibility for the women, infants and children (WIC) Programs of the Public Health Department based on nutritional/medical risk. Incumbents are also accountable for: 1) providing education and counseling; to participate in voucher issuance, 2) making referrals to educational, medical, social and other community services, 3) providing direct client services for high risk clients, including client education and certification and 4) documenting and maintaining documentation on services. An incumbent also assists in the development of training programs and in the training of local agency WIC staff throughout Washington State.

Essential Job Functions:

Obtains information from applicants to the WIC Program to determine eligibility based on federally mandated assessment questions. Collects and analyzes intake data necessary for certification and WIC eligibility.

• Performs health and nutrition screening tests according to standard procedures including: takes height/weight measurements and assessing measurements according to growth grids, standard weight charts, and pregnancy weight gain grids; performs hemoglobin blood test; completes and evaluates a health history form to aid in identifying risk factors; completes a dietary assessment; completes a child health survey listing M.D. and immunizations if available.

• Assesses the participant's health and nutrition status based on nutrition screening; assigns WIC risk codes and priority; and records test results, risk codes and priority into the computer system.

Develops and implements individual nutrition care plans.

• Refers participants to community services (medical and social agencies) that can further assist them with additional resources.

• Documents any/all referrals made to appropriate community agencies; immunization clinic and/or health care provider in the participants chart.

• Monitors and re-evaluates participants' health and nutritional status on an ongoing basis.

Determines appropriate food package and WIC voucher needs for participants based on health and nutrition screening.

• Issues WIC vouchers for supplemental foods and schedules appointments for participants on a computerized-scheduling system.

• Explains procedures for redeeming WIC vouchers and other WIC regulations necessary for new participants to understand; distribute the written information new participants will need after becoming certified.

• Maintains voucher log, educates participants on the use of vouchers, and practice voucher security within the department.

Develops individual care plans for high risk or at-risk WIC participants; provides direct client services for high risk clients.

• Provides the follow-up education for clients found with risks that are assigned a high priority.

Provides basic health education such as basic nutrition, education, avoidance of harmful substances during pregnancy, basic lactation education, education on community resources, and other similar topics.

• Provides nutrition education and counseling to WIC participants at the appropriate learning level;

• Provides breast feeding promotion, education and support to pregnant women.

• Explains WIC program policies, procedures, rights and responsibilities to WIC participants.

Provides in-service training, technical assistance and consultation on nutrition issues to agency staff; oversees WIC Certifier competencies, training and certification.

• Develops and evaluates nutrition education materials, policies and procedures.

• Assists in the development and provision of training lectures, development of teaching materials and instruction manuals, and coordination of other miscellaneous training functions.

• Participates as a member of the mentoring team.

Coordinates the development, implementation and evaluation of the agency nutrition education plan, including procedures for providing required nutrition education for WIC clients through individual counseling and group sessions.

• Ensures quality assurance of the nutrition education component of the WIC program through participant questionnaires, chart reviews and health outcome data collection.

Cultural Sensitivity and Competence: Demonstrates proper use of available communication tools/materials for effective communication and understands how the culture(s) of patient populations can affect communication, collaboration and the provision of care, treatment and services. Patient Populations Served: Demonstrates knowledge and proper skills associated with the department's defined specific populations served.

Performs related duties as required.

Qualifications

Education/Work Experience Requirements

Bachelor's degree in nutrition sciences or public health nutrition and one year of related work experience that demonstrates attainment of the requisite job knowledge skills/abilities.

Or any equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Required Licensure and Certifications:

Medical Assistant Registered

Licensure/Certification

Licensure as a Registered Dietitian or eligible for Registration is preferred. Work experience in the WIC program is preferred.

Pay Range

$27.77 - $40.27 /hour

We are an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.