WIC Nutrition Aide III

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                                                                                        Join a Team That Makes a Difference at Optimus Health Care!

 Are you passionate about providing high-quality, patient-centered care? Optimus Health Care the largest provider of primary health care services in Fairfield County is looking for dedicated professionals to join our team! With multiple locations in Bridgeport, Stratford, and Stamford, our mission is to be a lifelong health care partner, dedicated to achieving optimal wellness for the communities we serve.

Join our team-based model of care delivered in a kind and compassionate manner.

 We are currently recruiting for a WIC Nutrition Aide III at our location in Waterbury, CT

The WIC Nutrition Aide III Provides nutrition care to low risk women, infants, and children under the supervision of the Program Nutritionist. This role plays a vital part in promoting positive health outcomes through education and assessment and culturally sensitive counseling. The WIC Nutrition Aide collaborates with healthcare providers and community resources to ensure participants receive comprehensive support and appropriate nutrition services. 

Essential Functions & Responsibilities:

1. May perform duties of a Program Assistant, as required.
2. Performs all duties of a Nutrition Aide/Assistant I or Nutrition Aide/Assistant II.
3. Collection and entering information for the certification process that includes anthropometric and hematological data collection and plotting on the appropriate growth chart.
4. Provides and documents referrals to health and social service programs and appropriate documentation of follow-up.
5. Documents participant contacts as outlined in the WIC Nutrition Services Documentation Guidance to ensure continuity of care, including identifying where participants are in the process of change, agreed upon goals and other pertinent information essential for supporting participants.
6. Promotes and supports breastfeeding as the normal infant feeding method.
7. Assists in the preparation of nutrition education materials (e.g., newsletters, pamphlets), visual aids (e.g., bulletin boards, displays) and activities (e.g., groups).
8. Attends and participates in all training and continuing education sessions offered by the State agency.
9. Conducts a complete WIC nutrition assessment, to determine program eligibility and prescribe appropriate food packages for low risk prenatal and postpartum women (non- breastfeeding) and children 1-5 years old. May perform mid-certification for infants and breastfeeding women. Initial certification for infants and breastfeeding women must be completed by a Nutritionist.
10. Prescribes, tailors, authorizes, and issues food packages that do not require medical documentation (all categories).
11. Provides secondary nutrition education to low-risk women, infants, and children.
12. Identifies and refers (yields) participants to Nutritionist when an issue or concern is beyond the established scope of practice.
13. Tracks participants’ progress and document outcomes.
14. Other duties as assigned.

Job Qualifications/Requirements:

The ability to establish rapport with individuals and small groups.

 Education:  

• Completion of an accredited Dietetic Technician program, or
• Completion of programs not accredited by ACEND may be considered on an individual basis, or
• High school diploma or GED equivalency and successful completion of the Nutrition Assistant/Aide II training.

Experience: In a WIC clinic setting and health agency environment. Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate in both one-on-one counseling sessions and group education settings. Skilled in delivering clear, compassionate, and culturally sensitive nutrition education tailored to participants' individual needs. Proven understanding of and sensitivity to the needs of multicultural populations, with a strong awareness of diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. Adept at fostering trust and engagement with participants to support healthy nutrition practices and improve overall well-being.

Language Skills: The ability to communicate clearly both orally and in writing in English and another language when the Program Coordinator or Program Nutritionist deems appropriate.  

To be part of our organization, every employee should understand and share in Optimus’ Vision, support our Mission, and live our Values. These values-outstanding, patient-centered, trustworthy, integrity, multicultural, understanding, and supportive -help guide what we do, as individuals and professionals, every day.

• OHC provides a fun, fast-paced working environment, where our commitment to quality is present in every job function.
• Excellent health & welfare benefit 
• Competitive Compensation
• Optimus and its caring and multi-lingual staff proudly serve hundreds of thousands of our neighbors, in a caring patient-centered environment.

Compensation decisions are made in accordance with applicable federal and Connecticut equal-pay requirements. The final offer will be determined based on job-related factors, including relevant experience, education, specialized skills, scope of responsibilities, market conditions, and internal equity. The salary range does not guarantee placement at any specific point within the range. Eligible employees may receive employer-sponsored benefits, covering medical, dental, and vision coverage; retirement benefits; paid time off and holidays; and other employer-sponsored benefits, subject to plan terms and eligibility.

                                                   Optimus is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all 

                                               applicants and employees as protected by applicable federal and/or state law.