WIC Certifier

Josephine County; Grants Pass (OR); On-site; USD 40,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Josephine County seeks a WIC Certifier to join the Family Services Programs team in Grants Pass, Oregon. You will assess eligibility for the WIC program, perform anthropometrics and nutrition screening, provide counseling, issue benefits, and maintain client records.

You will participate in program planning, grant goals, and annual evaluations, with work hours Monday through Thursday 8 AM–6 PM and Friday 8 AM–12 PM. Some outreach may be required.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Two years of experience in a health clinic or related organization or specialized training in medical services or nutrition.
• Strong computer skills and proficiency with Word/Excel.
• Experience or training with the WIC program preferred.
• Bilingual Spanish/English speakers are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Screen patients by collecting height, weight, and hematocrit/hemoglobin.
• Determine WIC eligibility and provide basic nutrition counseling.
• Issue WIC benefits and explain program purpose.
• Maintain client charts and records.
• Refer issues needing further evaluation to supervisor or staff.
• Assist with equipment cleaning and supply restocking.
• Answer calls and schedule patient appointments; manage communications.

Skills

Windows OS

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Teams

Zoom

Clear written communication

Virtual appointment facilitation

Motivational interviewing

Community resources knowledge

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Two years health clinic experience or related training

Additional related training preferred

Tools

Windows OS

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Teams

Zoom

Job description

SUMMARY

The WIC Certifier is a part of the Family Services Programs team, responsible for assessing pregnant and breastfeeding women and children under five years of age for eligibility to participate in the WIC program. Duties include but are not limited to performing anthropometrics and biochemical assessments, evaluating diet and health care needs, assigning a food package appropriate to the needs of the client, and providing education and referrals appropriate to the risk criteria identified. The WIC Certifier will participate in program planning activities, selection and evaluation of grant goals, and an annual client evaluation of the WIC education program. Workhours: Monday-Thursday 8AM-6PM, Friday 8AM-12PM.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Conducts preliminary screening of patient: including obtaining height, weight, and hematocrit/hemoglobin.
2. Interviews clients and gathers information regarding medical/nutritional history; determines eligibility for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program; evaluates nutritional status and provides basic nutrition counseling.
3. Issues WIC benefits and explains purpose of the WIC program.
4. Maintains client charts and necessary records.
5. Refers medical/nutritional problems that require further evaluation/consultation to WIC Supervisor/Coordinator or other staff as appropriate.
6. Cleans equipment, including multi-user breast pumps, restocks supplies in patient rooms, and orders office and laboratory supplies as needed.
7. Answers and routes telephone calls, reviews and responds to all work-related electronic communication and schedules appointments for patients.
8. Attend WIC outreach activities as needed, outside of regular business hours.
9. Provide excellent customer service; in person, over the phone, and virtually.
10. Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Knowledge of Windows and applications such as Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Teams, ZOOM, GoToMeeting and remote meeting platforms.
• Ability to write clearly, concisely without errors.
• Knowledge of adult learning strategies and the ability to exercise sound judgment.
• Ability to facilitate both one on one virtual appointments and virtual group sessions.
• Ability to analyze and evaluate patients’ needs utilizing motivational interviewing techniques.
• Understanding of Community Resources & Programs in Josephine County.

PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Excellent, proven organizational and communications skills with the ability to interact with a variety of persons; must be understanding, respectful and non-judgmental at all times when in contact with patients, visitors, and employees.
• Ability to be flexible and work under pressure.
• Computer keyboarding as well as note taking on a regular basis.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Required:

• High School diploma (or equivalent)
• Two years of experience in a health clinic or related organization or specialized training in medical services or nutrition; or any satisfactory combination of experience and training which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and ability to perform the above described duties
• Strong computer skills

Preferred:

• Experience or training with the WIC program
• Experience working in professional office environment with ability to communicate one-on-one, over the telephone, and in group settings
• Comfortable using virtual technology like ZOOM
• Bilingual Spanish/English speaker
• Specialized training or experience in the following areas:
  • Nutrition training or experience (infant and child nutrition preferred)
  • Experience working with children and infants
  • Experience with training or teaching (youth or adult)
  • Training or experience related to breastfeeding

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing, establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and the public, read and interpret documents such as operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals, write routine reports and correspondence, and communicate effectively.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to exercise initiative and judgment in completing tasks and responsibilities, solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists, and interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Experience in interviewing and counseling techniques virtually and telephonically, strong computer skills; the operation of standard office equipment.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Possession of or ability to obtain a valid Oregon Driver's license, safe driving record.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION

Those employed in this position may be subject to pre-employment drug testing and a background investigation, including but not limited to criminal background investigation. Conviction of a crime will not necessarily disqualify an individual for this classification.