Public Health Assistant

Lake County, IL; Waukegan (IL); On-site; USD 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center is seeking a Public Health Assistant to support the Nutrition Services Team in WIC program operations. You will assist with client intake, eligibility screening, data entry, and breastfeeding promotion under supervision.

The role includes clerical duties, scheduling, and ensuring accuracy of WIC MIS data, while maintaining a welcoming environment and quality service for participants.

Qualifications

• Requires High School Diploma or GED.
• Requires 1 year of work experience.
• Basic computer knowledge and data entry skills.
• Ability to work on weekends, holidays, and overtime if necessary.
• Bilingual translation as appropriate.

Responsibilities

• Facilitates client entry into the WIC program and screens eligibility.
• Performs anthropometric measurements and Hb testing.
• Answers incoming phone calls and schedules appointments; enters required data.
• Issues benefits to WIC EBT cards; prepares WIC ID cards for CPAs.
• Participates in required forms/reports and maintains clinic supplies.
• Promotes breastfeeding and provides support to WIC participants.

Skills

Data entry

Customer service

Bilingual translation

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

The Public Health Assistant is a valuable member of our Nutrition Services Team who under the direct supervision of the Senior/Lead Dietitian or Office Manager III, facilitates client entry into the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), screens clients for eligibility, performs anthropometric measurements, hemoglobin testing, answers incoming phone calls, schedules appointments, enters required data into computer system and issues benefits. Provides breastfeeding promotion and support to WIC participants. Works at other sites as required.

Schedule hours: 37.5 hours a week

• Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday: (8:30am - 4:30pm)
• Thursday: (11:00am-7:00pm)
• Saturdays on rotation

• Serves as a greeter: schedules appointments, answers client questions, checks clients in and makes phone calls to follow-up with clients who have missed appointments. Centralized phone duties as assigned.
• Assists in determination of eligibility for services by screening clients for income/residency requirements according to program guidelines and enrolls in appropriate services. Checks WIC identification cards for accuracy and completion, and appropriate signatures.
• Electronically completes client intake including participant search, precertification screen, household information and participant information. Explains program services and clients’ rights & responsibilities.
• Promotes breastfeeding as the preferred infant feeding method to all WIC clients.
• Performs anthropometric measurements of height, weight, according to procedures.
• Performs laboratory duties (hemoglobin tests), according to Standing Orders for Capillary Hemoglobin.
• Accurately performs data entry of program-related data and information in the WIC MIS.
• Issues benefits to WIC EBT card according to established procedure.
• Prepares WIC ID cards for CPAs.
• Participates in gathering and maintaining program statistics and completes required forms/reports (including timecard) in a timely manner to ensure accurate data collection.
• Maintains clerical and laboratory supplies at assigned workstation.
• Participates in Continuous Quality Improvement activities to assess, monitor and improve clinic services.
• Assists in maintaining office/clinic security by locking up equipment, WIC EBT cards, Farmers’ Market coupons, breastfeeding supplies, and other supplies.
• Participates in annual WIC Garden/garden box season activities.
• Participates in mandatory in‑services and drills, attends staff trainings and other continuing education to update skills, meet programmatic needs, and provide for individual career goals.
• Promotes WIC services through outreach activities both internally and in the community.
• Acts as an alternate for other sites as required.
• Performs duties in a prioritized organized and orderly manner to maximize clinic efficiency and productivity.
• Maintains orderliness and cleanliness of clinic and work area.
• Develops and maintains a basic knowledge of services available at LCHD.
• Has a basic awareness of the Chronic Care Model Processes to reduce health disparities within our communities.
• Demonstrates adherence to National Patient Safety Goals.
• Develops and maintains a working knowledge of individual Emergency Preparedness roles.
• Reports all unusual occurrences that may involve the safety and well‑being of the clients and co‑workers, directly to the Supervisor, Program/Clinic Coordinator; and/or Safety Officer.

Marginal Functions

• Assist in bilingual translation as appropriate.
• Performs other duties as required.
• Requires High School Diploma or GED.
• Requires 1 year of work experience.
• Basic computer knowledge and data entry skills.
• Ability to work on weekends, holidays, and overtime if necessary.
• Ability to maintain and keep records.
• Ability to read, write, and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos.
• Some knowledge of spelling, punctuation, and grammar.

As the largest human service provider in Lake County, we believe that services must be available without barriers. No residents are turned away due to the inability to pay. We believe in providing services in an environment of mutual respect, free of discrimination or bias. Whether assuring accessible and effective care, impacting policy, or assessing and monitoring risks, the Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center has been an essential part of the public health system in Lake County for 60 years. We are looking for passionate, qualified team members who can help make a difference in our agency and, most importantly, in our community.

Additional information about the Lake County Health Department, our culture, and why you should join our team can be found at https://lakecountyil.attract.neogov.com/health-department.

At this time, you must live in Illinois or Wisconsin to be eligible to work at Lake County Health Department. You can find our salary grades at https://www.lakecountyil.gov/4515/Salary-Grades. For unionized positions, a list of our collective bargaining agreements can be found here: https://www.lakecountyil.gov/2686/Collective-Bargaining-Agreements. This position is represented by AFSCME Council 31

Any offer of employment is conditioned on the successful completion of a background screening, drug and alcohol testing and may include a pre-employment medical exam.

The Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other protected characteristics.