WIC Nutrition Specialist CPA-RD

CCI Health Services' mission is to deliver high quality, accessible care to our community members, leading the way to a more equitable health care system for everyone.

POSITION SUMMARY:
The Competent Professional Authority-Registered Dietitian (CPA-RD) will take the lead role in conducting nutrition care appointments and their subsequent follow- ups at designated site. Prescribes standard and non-standard food packages, specialty formulas, and obtains anthropometric measurements. CPA-RD provides input in the development of education activities to include staff trainings, curriculum development, and other related activities. In addition, the CPA-RD will assist with the delivery of WIC services at a CCI clinic site to assure the provision of high quality, cost–efficient, culturally sensitive services that comply with all Federal, State and Local agency policies and procedures.

KEY FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Follows State guidelines for issuing infant formulas, exempt infant formulas, and other eligible nutritionals by obtaining the required documentation for issuing formulas other than the standard contract infant formulas.
• Follows State and agency guidelines for ordering infant formulas, exempt infant formulas, and other eligible nutritionals through the State office.
• Correctly follows state guidelines for identifying all applicable nutrition risk codes by correctly interpreting the growth chart and the hemoglobin value, reviewing the Health History form and the Nutrition History screen.
• Prescribes appropriate food packages following State guidelines and the applicant's dietary/health requirements and personal preference.
• Consistently uses proper procedures to collect accurate information.
• Follows State guidelines when providing nutrition counseling by:
  • Targeting the nutrition counseling toward the applicant's nutritional risk(s) by identifying the most important nutrition risk or risks and focusing on them.
  • Covering the participant category-specific topics.
  • Providing exit counseling to all postpartum and breastfeeding women.
  • Addressing applicant's questions and/or concerns.
  • Providing appropriate nutrition education materials based upon the topics covered in the nutrition counseling session n.
  • Explaining the contents of the prescribed food package.
  • Incorporating WIC foods into the discussion, especially for food groups with low FFQ scores.
• Opens nutrition care (NC) appointments three months in advance to accommodate participant's scheduling needs.
• Monitors High Risk report to ensure that:
  • High risk participants are referred to a Registered Dietitian (RD) for follow up in accordance with CCI's HR/NC protocol, and they were seen by a CPA and have a documented care plan.
  • Those no requiring a referral to RD were seen by a CPA and have a documented care plan.
  • Furnishing information about other community resources when appropriate.
• Monitors Special Formula report to ensure that Special Formulas are issued according to policies and procedures.
• Follows up with HR/NC participants as need to ensure nutrition risks are being managed.
• Determines food package prescription and issuance of benefits for those with Inborn Errors of Metabolism.
• Ensures that the following conditions are managed unless being seen by RD outside of WIC:
  • Failure to thrive (diagnosed by HCP); Infants and children up to 24 months age who are underweight (weight for length
  • Preterm infants born at ≤ 35 weeks
  • Low birth weight infants (≤ 3 lb. 5 oz. birth weight)
  • Low hemoglobin
  • Gestation diabetes in current pregnancy or history of gestational diabetes (if currently pregnant)
  • Multifetal gestation (if currently pregnant) or underweight with low maternal weight gain
  • Elevated blood led level (≥ 5μg/dL) in past 12 months
  • Hypertension/Prehypertension
  • Hyperemesis Gravidarum
  • Alcohol or illegal drug use, fetal alcohol syndrome, neonatal abstinence syndrome
  • Depression
  • Any medical condition, feeding problems and/or developmental delays not listed above.
• Provides referrals by:
  • Following state and agency guidelines for providing referrals for high-risk counseling and breastfeeding counseling.
  • Furnishing information about other community resources when appropriate.
• Explains the rights and responsibilities of a WIC participant to each applicant.
• Accurately obtains/documents proof of residence, proof of identity, proof of pregnancy and calculates and documents proof of income.
• Assists site manager in daily site operation when needed and serves as proxy during their absence.
• Collaborates with the Nutrition Services Manager in the planning, and development of education activities and materials.
• Provides input and assistance in the development of annual Nutrition Services Plan, along with other RDs.
• Participates in quarterly RD meeting.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:ACCURATELY OBTAINS AND DOCUMENTS ANTHROPOMETRIC AND LAB DATA:

• Utilizes correct method of measuring hemoglobin.
• Utilizes correct method for measuring health/length and weight.
• Accurately enters data into the computer.
• Consistently uses proper procedures to collect accurate information.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY:

• Performs computer record file maintenance and updates in a timely manner.
• Accurately performs daily data entry and eWIC benefits issuance.
• Makes appointments and transfers according to established policies.
• Properly maintains computer, printers, and other office equipment.

INFORMS PARTICIPANTS ABOUT THE WIC PROGRAM:

• Proactively offers participants information and materials about other community resources.
• Provides complete information on the certifying process.
• Provides correct information on Rights and Responsibilities, Program benefits, WIC foods and vendors, and the proper use of eWIC card.

EFFICIENTLY PERFORMS NECESSARY CLINIC DUTIES AND CONDUCTS NUTRITION CLASSES:

• Assists Manager in ensuring timely compliance with agency requirements for completing reports, voiding benefits, maintaining eWIC card security and separation of duties for eWIC card issuance.
• Prepares for NE/CPU. Participates in NE/CPU activities and conducts group nutrition classes following State and agency guidelines.
• Assists Manager in ensuring that clinic certification and recertification goals are met.
• Assists Manager in ensuring that an adequate inventory of supplies and materials is maintained and ordered according to agency policies and procedures.
• Handles incoming calls, referring them to appropriate staff.
• Issues eWIC cards following separation of duties role.
• Schedules and confirms appointments according to policy.
• Always answers phone promptly, checks voicemail frequently and returns calls within the day.
• Terminates participants and prepares ID folders according to policy.
• Participates in CPU preparation and activities as directed.

MINIMUM EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:

• Registered and Licensed Dietitian
• Bachelor's degree in public health nutrition, dietetics, or food and nutrition.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Spanish fluency preferred.
• Must possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills to greet participants and visitors in person or over the phone, and to direct them accordingly.
• Ability to maintain a high standard of customer service and observance of corporation protocol in a hectic and sometimes hostile situation.
• Ability to read and write to update participant information/forms, and accurately communicate phone messages, and respond to visitors and callers as needed.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Proper and professional grooming is always expected.
• Prolonged periods of standing, bending or working at a desk on a computer.
• The ability to lift (up to 15lbs) is required.
• Work under stressful conditions within a controlled enclosed environment daily. The work environment involves exposure to potentially dangerous materials and situations that require extensive safety precautions and may include the use of protective equipment.
• ADA Category. In accordance with the American with Disabilities Act, it is possible that requirements may be modified to reasonably accommodate disabled individuals. However, no accommodation will be made which may pose serious health or safety risks to the employee or others or which impose undue hardships on the organization.
• OSHA Category 1. Clinical environment. Possibility of exposure to chemicals and infectious body fluids e.g., HPV, HIV, HEP C, HSV.