Nutritionist WIC Coordinator

I.

GENERAL SUMMARY

The WIC Coordinator is responsible for coordinating the development, implementation, and direction of the WIC program as well as oversees all programmatic activities and functions of the WIC program and team.  The Coordinator serves as a member of a multidisciplinary primary care team for WIC, provides clinical supervision and guidance to the WIC Team, monitors quality of the program and works collaboratively with other key members of management to implement program requirements.   The Coordinator serves as a liaison between Erie, State, and City Health Departments to ensure adherence to Federal, State, and City procedures and policies.  The Coordinator correlates with other Erie department programs and community agencies to ensure awareness of nutritional services provided at WIC clinics.  Work is performed under the supervision of the Senior Manager of Case Management programs.  Supervision of the program is exercised over professional and clerical staff.  Duties also include certifications, interviewing and assessing the nutritional status of clients, and individual/group education sessions as needed.

II.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

WIC Coordinator:

• Provides day to day administration of the program using Erie, State and City program guidelines, policies, procedures, and regulations, and needs assessment/clinic expansion plans developed with Senior Manager of Case Management programs.
• Assists the Senior Manager with the annual WIC plan implementation and reporting.
• Assists with grant reviews and implementing grant requirements as directed.
• Assists in preparing budget forecasts in consultation with Senior Program Manager.
• Responsible for ordering supplies, general cleaning and organizing, maintaining statistics, and outreach activities.
• Collects data to support the food instruments distribution.
• Conducts monthly team meetings
• Conducts bi – weekly quality assurance
• Conducts bi- weekly supervision
• Completes monthly reports.
• Maintains quality of the cases by achieving the WIC program standards.
• Attends all required meetings, trainings and conferences regarding WIC and/or case management.
• Updates WIC manual and staff on regulations.
• Works closely with the WIC Regional Nutritionist in the operation of the WIC program.
• Oversees certification process of program participants.
• Identifies, problem solves, and makes accurate and timely decisions related to clients WIC food instruments, educational sessions, individual plans and/or any other programmatic intervention. 
• Oversees recruitment, orientation, supervision, training, and evaluation of program staff.
• Directs WIC staff in designing nutrition education components.
• Provides staff training in areas of nutrition education, high risk counseling and anthropometric measurements.
• Maintain the assigned caseload, follows program guidelines and expectations to avoid any audit sanctions that could impact grant funding.
• May be required to conduct WIC activities at satellite locations.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Nutritionist:

• Screens applicants for eligibility, which requires verifying income for the household, residency, identification, health history, and anthropometric measurements.
• Provides initial nutrition screening and assessment for WIC client and develops nutrition care plans with client centered goals (using VENA strategies), and monitors client's progress towards those goals.
• Conducts nutritional screenings, assessments, and counsels’ high-risk clients on nutrition and dietary practices appropriate to health and medical conditions identified.
• Maintains documentation of client contacts and education using the WIC Computer Information Management System.
• Assist with assessing the need for breastfeeding pumps and supplies and maintain inventory of the supplies.
• Develops and/or approves nutrition education materials. 
• Provides WIC food packages tailored to participants needs and prints food instruments when applicable.
• Schedules follow-up visits with clients to monitor and encourage compliance with prescribed nutritional care plans.
• Maintain all patient records in EMR for high risk patients.  
• Obtains anthropometric measurements, etc. of eligible clients.
• Consults with clients referring physician for clarification of special formulas or health conditions.
• Provides monthly cooking classes.
• Researches and develops nutritional lesson plans and self-study modules.
• Provides individual or group nutritional educational and Breastfeeding classes.
• Schedules clients for follow up and/or nutritional sessions.
• Completes monthly reports.
• Participates in case plan reviews and interdisciplinary team meetings.
• Participates in completing and evaluating departmental policies and procedures. 
• Create presentations on WIC Nutrition and Breastfeeding to educate groups when participating in assigned health fairs, community events, and interagency program meetings.
• Prepare bulletin boards with nutrition and/or breastfeeding messages according to agency approved Nutrition plan.
• Assists with quality improvement assessments, completing semi-annual audit tools quarterly as required by WIC.
• Displays excellence in customer relations.
• Collects participant’s annual surveys as required by grantors and returns them to the designated point of collection within the department.
• Maintains quality of the cases by achieving the WIC program standards.
• Participates in Erie, CDPH, State and Federal annual audits of programs.
• Complete annual Civil Rights training and other required WIC training.
• Attends all required meetings, trainings and conferences regarding WIC and/or case management.
• Refers clients to available services such as Family Case Management, Kid Care, Voter Registration, etc.

Skills and Knowledge:

• Bilingual fluency (English/Spanish) required (May be required to assist or work with non-English/Spanish only speaking patients and/or guests.)
• Cultural competency to work in a low income, minority environment.
• Computer skills and time management skills required.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and trust of clients.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, clients and community partners.
• Requires knowledge and exceptional ability with written and oral communication skills and working with the public.
• Current CPR certification required.
• Illinois driver’s license and automobile insurance required.
• Local travel (when necessary).

* COVID-19 vaccination documentation is required for all employees.

Experience:

• A minimum of five years working with the target population (pregnant, infant, and children) preferred.
• A minimum of three years of experience working in a WIC clinic setting preferred.

Education:

• B.S. in Nutrition or its equivalent.
• Registered Dietitian (RD) preferred or Registered Dietitian (RD) and/or Licensed Dietitian (LD) eligible also considered.
• Master’s Degree in Nutrition, Public Health, or its equivalent preferred.