WIC Nutrition Assistant 1/ Program Assistant 1 (37.50 hr/wk), ($19.99-$21.21/hr)

DEPARTMENT: Community Services

POSITION TITLE: Nutrition Assistant 1/Program Assistant 1

LOCATION: Greenfield, Northampton, Orange WIC offices

STATUS: Non-Exempt

SUPERVISOR: WIC Program Director

POSITION SUMMARY

This position provides nutrition services to WIC’s low-risk child applicants and participants. The position provides general clerical and administrative support to the CAPV WIC program. This includes anthropometric and hematological data collection, dietary and nutritional risk assessment, food package assignment, counseling and education, data entry, referrals to other health and social services, follow-up nutrition education, answer phone calls, schedule and reschedule appointments, greet participants in clinic, and other office administrative duties.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Completes and receives acceptable status on all components, activities and post-tests of the CPA I training program to obtain CPA I status within 6 months of hire.
2. Completes and receives acceptable status on all components, activities and posttests of the CPA II training program to obtain CPA II status within 1 year of hire.
3. After obtaining CPA I status:

a. Provides nutrition care to low-risk children at certification and follow up, including all aspects of:

• Anthropometric and hematological data collection.
• Dietary and nutritional risk assessment.
• Food package assignment.
• Counseling and education.
• Documentation and nutrition data entry.
• Referrals to other health and social services.
• Follow-up nutrition education.

4. Performs other duties as needed, including participating in quality assurance activities.

5. Performs reception duties such as:

• Answer and direct phone calls.
• Screen applicant inquiries for eligibility.
• Manage appointment scheduling/rescheduling including reminder phone calls.
• Greet and triage participants to appropriate staff.
• Oversee flow of applicants/participants in waiting area.
• Clerical duties as required.

6. Follows all protocols and/or regulations for processing applicants/participants for (re)certification including:

• Verification of identity, income, residency, and participant category. Complete data entry for (re)certification.
• Educate and/or explain participant’s rights and responsibilities, WIC foods, and using benefits at authorized vendors.
• Referrals to MassHealth, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and Transitional Aid to Families of Dependent Children (TAFDC) programs as well as other health and human service programs.
• Provide notification for end of certification, missed benefits, and/or ineligibility to receive WIC benefits.

7. Oversees benefit issuance for prescribed food prescription including:

• (Re)issuing of food/formula prescription benefits.
• Security of WIC Card stock.

8. Required to travel regularly throughout the service area and during WIC clinic hours, to various CAPV WIC office locations.

9. Comply with agency and funders’ paperwork requirements and procedures.

10. Attend regularly scheduled supervision meetings, staff and department-wide meetings, mandatory agency training, and participate in professional development activities.

11. Maintains strictest confidentiality.

12. Performs other duties as needed including participating in quality assurance activities. 

This does not cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may be adjusted to meet the operational needs of the agency. 

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS:

The ideal candidate will demonstrate the following competencies:

• Interpersonal communication – verbal and written; in-person and phone.
• Conflict resolution, problem-solving, establishing priorities, navigating change.
• Judgement and decision-making.
• Promote equity by deconstructing barriers to a racially just system. Cultivate work environments that value truth-telling, courage, vulnerability, space to think and reflect, community-mindedness, hope, and openness to difficult conversations.

Key Knowledge and Experience:

• Knowledge of local health and social services, advocacy, and navigating resources.
• Experience in nutrition, health care, and/or community health care facility.
• Experience working with marginalized communities and individuals with low incomes.
• Experience with data management, data capture, tracking methods and analysis for outcome measurements.
• Adapt to changing priorities and demonstrate close attention to details.
• Proficient computer skills (Microsoft Suite and databases)

To Qualify:

Minimum Qualifications/Transferable Skills:

• High School Diploma or GED.
• One year's experience in the health care field (may include counselor, educator, clinical assistant, outreach worker, or home health aide).
• One year’s experience in general office operations.
• Within 6 months, completion and receipt of acceptable status on all components, activities and post-tests of the CPA I Training Program 

We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.? We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying. Please be clear and specific in application materials how your background, lived experience, and transferable skills are relevant to this position.??

SKILLS REQUIRED

• Basic computer skills: using a mouse, email, Microsoft office.
• Excellent verbal (in-person and phone) and written communication skills
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail 
• Understanding of data capture and tracking methods. 
• Sensitivity to cultural and socioeconomic diversity and the needs of individuals with low incomes. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS:

The physical demands and work environment described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• Requires sitting for long periods of time.
• Working in office environment.
• Some bending and stretching required.
• Extensive use of telephone required.
• Manual dexterity required for use of calculator and computer keyboard.
• Must be able to lift from 20 – 30 lbs
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include vision, color vision and the ability to adjust focus. 

The work environment includes indoor office environments or comparable spaces, and community spaces, with occasional exposure to outdoor weather when traveling to outreach or meeting sites. The noise level varies by site. 

AA/EOE/ADA 

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of Criminal Offender Record check (C.O.R.I.) and evidence of a good driving record and ability to be covered under Community Action’s non-owned and hired vehicle policy.