WIC Nutrition Education Technician/Breastfeeding Peer Counselor (Temporary; 3-6 months)

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

This position interacts with parents, participants, nutritionists, and other staff to provide participant services and administrative support within WIC clinic operations to achieve assigned caseload. This incumbent provides breastfeeding education and support for pregnant and breastfeeding women participating in the WIC program. The position requires dependability, reliability, punctuality, computer, and organizational skills to complete assigned tasks. Additional tasks involve assisting in resolving routine clinic issues, coordinating WIC services, making referrals as warranted and assisting with outreach activities (e.g., health fairs.)

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.

• Greets participants/caretakers in courteous and consumer-oriented manner.
• Provides participant-centered environment and focus.
• Uses basic computer knowledge and skills.
• Schedules and confirms appointments using the HANDS MIS.
• Collects, records and updates (including health data as required to determine WIC applicant’s eligibility)
• Notifies parents of the required information prior to scheduled appointments and at the time of certification when participants do not bring the required documents.
• Collects and records social, financial, and other pertinent data required to determine eligibility of participants.
• Assesses immunization status by using participants’ records and/or Central Immunization Registry reports, indicate status in HANDS and provides referrals when necessary.
• Ensures accurate completion of all consent documents and other forms.
• Reviews and verifies WIC eligibility information presented by participants.
• Explains participant’s rights and obligations for WIC participants and ensures understanding.
• Explains how to use the eWIC card and EZWIC app for a better customer experience.
• Explains to participants that WIC is a supplemental food program; ensures participant’s understanding of providing the supplemental foods to promote growth and health; explains that WIC foods are to be used by WIC participants only.
• Promotes breastfeeding.
• Trains pregnant and breastfeeding women on the importance/benefits of breastfeeding.
• Provides support to breastfeeding women to help them choose, initiate, and continue breastfeeding through clinic visits and regular telephone contacts.
• Promotes and explains food package.
• Responds to inquiries for breastfeeding support as referred by WIC clinic site supervisor.
• Assists the WIC staff in breastfeeding promotion through special projects and other duties as assigned.
• Facilitates breastfeeding classes and support groups.
• Refers mothers to the WIC nutritionist, lactation specialist, or private physician for breastfeeding.

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 –
• Requires a High School Diploma or GED.
• Some college course work or Associates Degree is preferred.
• Must have breastfed for a minimum of six months.
• Must possess excellent people/customer service skills, good oral/written communication skills, and demonstrates ability to  accurately record and document data.
• Experience in working in a culturally diverse setting and/or with low-income populations desirable.
• Thorough understanding and working knowledge of patient confidentiality issues and HIPAA compliance/regulations will be essential.

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 pathogens which require the practice of Universal Precaution procedures.

Benefits 

• • Competitive benefits package, including medical, dental & vision insurance, plus retirement options
  • 25 days of paid time off (PTO) annually, in addition to 10 paid holidays, plus 5 educational days to attend training and conferences
  • $2000/year tuition reimbursement to attend training and conferences
  • WMATA metro/bus subsidy