What are the responsibilities and job description for the WIC CPA - La Porte position at NORTHWEST INDIANA COMMUNITY ACTION CORP?
FUNCTION
The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program is a supplemental nutrition program, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Education, EBT benefits and referrals are offered, free of charge, to low-income pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women, and infants and children younger than five years of age. The goal of the program is to improve the health of this at-risk group.
The commitment of the WIC program is to provide nutritional support (i.e., education and strategies for a healthy diet, supplemental foods, referrals and breastfeeding promotion/support), during critical times of growth and development to improve health and achieve positive outcomes for the above mentioned at risk group.
Under the direct supervision of the WIC Site Manager, the WIC Competent Professional Authority’s (CPA) primary responsibility is to ensure the delivery of program services in compliance with CoAction, Indiana State Department of Health, Federal and other WIC program identified guidelines, policies and procedures.
The responsibilities of the WIC CPA would include providing eligibility determination of WIC participants, educate and counsel in the areas of nutrition, determine nutritional risk, develop and implement care plans, and provide supportive community referrals, positively promote breastfeeding, engage in community outreach activities, prescribing food packages, while providing the accurate documentation and reporting requirements in accordance to the guidelines, policies and procedures of the WIC Program.
The WIC CPA is expected to be an active participant in the agency’s mission, vision, and values and an active participant in promoting and fulfilling the principles and ethical standards of professional case management. He/she shall work to ensure that consistent, reliable, responsive, and high-quality services are provided to the agency’s constituents, partners, and customers. He/she will demonstrate enthusiasm, initiative, and flexibility and will maintain positive working relationships with all agency personnel, will be inclusive and communicative with all staff, and will establish herself/himself as a primary resource within the agency for consumer empowerment and independence.
MAJOR DUTIES:
WIC Competent Professional Authority (CPA):
- Is an active member of the WIC and CoAction team.
- Screens applicants for eligibility. This requires interviewing applicants to determine and verifying income for the household as well as documenting appropriately in the designated software system participant determination.
- Assist WIC clerk with the responsibilities of checking in clients, making appointments, keeping the client data base updated and any other integral part of providing excellent customer service to WIC participants.
- Perform all aspects of WIC participant certification. This includes but is not limited to medical updates, hemoglobin testing, lead screening, review and access immunization records, formula changes and breastfeeding issues. These will be performed in accordance to and set forth by CoAction and ISDH WIC program policies and procedures.
- As required, perform health measurements on all participants. This includes height and weight. These measurements need to be completed following methods of the ISDH WIC Program.
- Completes nutrition assessments for WIC participants and accurately assesses nutrition risk.
- Provides participant centered nutrition counseling and referral services for WIC participants.
- Positively promotes Breastfeeding to all WIC participants, educate through facilitation of breastfeeding classes and complete outreach on the benefits of breastfeeding to community partners and healthcare providers.
- Must be able to conduct breastfeeding class. Work jointly with the Breastfeeding Supervisor providing classes and ensuring breastfeeding initiation and duration.
- Must have basic knowledge of infant formula and preparation. Have the ability to tailor and document food packages.
- Facilitate approved nutrition education classes as assigned by the site manager.
- Required to attend all identified trainings relative to WIC Program Operations and CoAction Management of that program. Included are but not limited to: ISDH Clinic Orientation, Nutrition Services, Breastfeeding Orientation, Breast Pump Training and any other identified orientation/training/conferences offered and deemed necessary by CoAction and ISDH.
- Promote; issue and document Farmer’s Market checks in accordance to WIC policies.
- Required to monitor and maintain program supplies and inventory in accordance to WIC Program and CoAction policies and procedures.
- Performs detailed participant record maintenance and accurate documentation of services performed in accordance to WIC Program policies.
- Provides clerical assistance as needed to support clinic operations and performs light office housekeeping duties to maintain infection prevention/universal precautions
- Participate in regular staff meetings, staff training programs, supervisory session (if applicable), and accept responsibility for aiding the development of positive team relationships as requested.
- Ensure required continuing education requirements are met according to funding source regulations.
- Other duties assigned.