WIC Nutritionist Assistant CPPA

Mary's Center is committed to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) within our organization and the communities we serve. We embrace diversity of experiences, ideas, and individuals, and seek to bring a diverse group of candidates to the table.

Important Note: Mary's Center is mandating the COVID-19 vaccine + booster for all staff.

Position Summary

The WIC Nutritionist Assistant is a Competent Paraprofessional Authority who provides services to low-risk WIC clients such as health screening, basic nutrition education, and referral for health care and other services. The incumbent will assist the Licensed Dietitian /Nutritionist in certifying WIC participants.

Reportability

This position will report directly to the WIC Director.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

• Interviews participants using the DC WIC State agency provided assessment tool to obtain participants characteristics, health, and dietary information.
• Educates participants regarding their rights and responsibilities, the food delivery system, WIC foods, and certification schedule.
• Performs and records height and weight measurements.
• Performs and records biochemical measurements, such as hemoglobin or lead tests.
• Screens the health and nutritional status of participants, identifies, and assesses for health risks.
• Provides basic nutrition education to non-high-risk participants either individually or in a group setting with an established curriculum and under supervision of a CPA or Nutrition Coordinator.
• Promotes the advantages of breastfeeding to all prenatal participants unless contraindicated for health reasons.
• Provides substance abuse and smoking cessation information.
• Provides referrals as appropriate and identified during the screening process.
• Completes food prescription for standard contract formulas in powder or concentrate form.
• Completes default food prescription for non-high-risk women and children per WIC State agency policy.
• Refers high-risk participants, breastfeeding participants, and participants with questions or concerns beyond the CPPA scope of work to CPA in accordance with WIC State Agency policy.
• Documents all contacts made with WIC participants in the DC WIC HANDS system.
• Issues food benefits in accordance with WIC State Agency policy.
• Provide remote client services to all DC WIC participants.
• Performs additional tasks assigned by supervisor, as needed.

Qualifications

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities -

• Bachelor's degree in Nutrition, Health Education, Nursing, LPN and Dietetic Technicians preferred.
• Must possess excellent people/customer service skills, good oral/written skills, strong computer skills and demonstrate ability to accurately record and document data.
• Experience working in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment.
• A thorough understanding and working knowledge of patient confidentiality issues an HIPPA compliance/regulations will be essential. Bilingual in English and Spanish required.

Language Requirement - Must have the ability to communicate effectively in English and Spanish as used by participants.

Physical Demands - Regularly required to sit; frequently required to reach with hands and arms, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, talk or hear; must be able to lift objects up to twenty-five (25) pounds.

Work Environment - Mostly in a typical office and/or home setting with quiet to moderate noise level. May be exposed to extreme cold, heat, and humidity due to outside weather conditions. May be exposed to potentially hazardous blood-borne fluids which require the practice of Universal Precaution procedures.

The Benefits:

• Health Insurance: medical, dental & vision - plus retirement options through 403(b) contribution and investment opportunities
• 25 days of paid leave annually (in addition to paid holidays), plus 5 educational days
• Tuition reimbursement of $2000/year towards education assistance and professional development
• Transportation subsidy via metro & bus
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Compensation: $46,000-$49,500/yearly.