WIC Health Educator

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.

JOB SUMMARY

To plan, promote, and implement health education programs.  To provide appropriate nutrition management to medical, prenatal, and WIC patients in accordance with the TAC and WIC guidelines and coordinate group sessions.  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following.  Other related job duties and responsibilities may be assigned.

Job Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Serves at Competent Professional Authority (CPA) for the WIC program, including determining eligibility for WIC, evaluate 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 communications 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 (health and medical organizations, religious/community agencies, social service agencies, etc.) 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 as needed by WIC and non-WIC parish residents.
• Plan and participate in surveys and participate provide communication to improve the nutrition and dietary components of assigned programs for the compliance with state and federal licensure and certification rules and regulations.
• Network with other health professionals, such as private physicians/nurses, 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 skill in conducing 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 service, 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.
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QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Qualifications:

• Baccalaureate degree in nutrition, dietetics, human ecology, home economics, family and consumer sciences, health promotion, pre-medicine, or nursing.
• Substitutions: 
• 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 experiences working as a WIC Clinic Nutrition Educator in the State of Louisiana will substitute for the baccalaureate degrees.

Skills:

• Communication Ability:  Demonstrates ability to effectively communicate and establish rapport with participants.
• Math Ability:  Basic math skills.
• Reasoning Ability:  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 Skills:  Computer basics to include proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and the Internet.
• Professional Skills:  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.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  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.

**Due to CMS Mandate all applicants must be fully vaccinated prior to onboarding with TAC with the exception of an approved Medical or Religious Exemption.**