WIC Coordinator

Job Title

WIC Coordinator

 Position Summary                                                                                                                            

Under the direction of the WIC Program Director, the WIC Coordinator is responsible for overseeing the WIC Program and for providing nutritional services and support to patients and clients.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following listed below. The WIC Coordinator may be required to perform other duties as assigned.

ADMINISTRATIVE

• Coordinates WIC Program. Responsible for reporting, data gathering, maintenance of program files and records, monthly statistics, and the writing of the Nutritional Education Plan, Breastfeeding Grant, and annual WIC Expenditures Report.
• Plans and provides nutrition consultations, in-services and continuing education opportunities to Nutrition Department staff and Sea Mar staff.
• Plans, implements and evaluates the nutrition services provided by the WIC/Nutrition Department, determines the nature and extent of nutrition needs and problems of the WIC target population, and implements policies, standards and services to meet client needs. Coordinates these services with the MSS Program.
• Participates in selected committees, such as Quality Improvement and Joint Commission to monitor and improve the overall functioning of Sea Mar Community Health Centers.
• Supervises, directs, schedules and provides training for the WIC Nutritionists, Nutrition Assistants and WIC Clerks. Conducts regular staff meetings and acts as a liaison for nutrition staff to management, other Sea Mar staff, and state nutrition staff.
• Participates in county, state and local nutritionists meetings as needed. Serve as advocates for the Nutrition Department and other Sea Mar Departments or Programs.
• Reports and summarizes progress of activities as directed. Prepares periodic and special reports as requested.

• Conducts outreach activities in the community and maintains communication with referral agencies.
• Works efficiently with self-direction.

CLINICAL

• Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span.
• Able to identify and categorize each patient’s specific grouping needs, such as infants, children and women.
• Provides nutrition assessment and counseling to Sea Mar high-risk clientele and develops nutrition care plans as needed.
• Provides consultation and supervision for the WIC staff.
• Serves as a preceptor for Sea Mar Dietetic Interns; assists and evaluates interns in their counseling and charting skills; conducts occasional classes for interns, as needed.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• This person must sign an oath of permanent confidentiality covering all patient-related information.
• This person must receive a background check from the Washington State Patrol.
• The WIC Coordinator shall sign and date the job description to affirm the validity of the information herein and to signify compliance with the conditions of employment, minimum qualifications and an understanding of the job responsibilities.

 Qualifications                                                                                                                                    

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must possess the abilities and aptitudes for developing effective community and personnel relationships.
• Also important is the ability to work comfortably and effectively with individuals and groups of all types while coordinating the WIC Program; function as a liaison with referring departments and agencies, and assist in developing ongoing programs.
• Demonstrate ability to work effectively with people of varied racial, educational and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Requires skills in diplomacy, supervision, delegation, teaching, problem solving and administrative programs as well as community awareness of resources available.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

• Possess an ability to read, to analyze, and to interpret professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Also demonstrate ability to write reports, business correspondence, and policy and procedure manuals as well as other special reports requested by the WIC Program Director and/or the Director of Preventive Health Services. Possess the ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, staff, clients, customers, and the general public.
• Bilingual, bicultural Spanish/English preferred.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

• Possess the ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Possess the ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

REASONING ABILITY

• Possess the ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Possess the ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Requires skills in diplomacy, supervision, delegation, teaching, problem solving and administrative program planning.
• Requires ability to maintain patience and sensitivity for people with problems as well as community awareness of resources available.
• Requires the ability to deal patiently and empathetically with multicultural and challenged clientele, even under stressful conditions.

 Education and Experience, Certificates, Licenses, Registrations, and Medical Screening        

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Preferably a degree in nutrition from an accredited college or university; approved hospital dietetic internship or equivalent training and experience; and the fulfillment of ADA’s requirements as a Registered Dietitian.
• Experience with the WIC Program, multicultural populations and the use of interpreters is required.
• Must maintain current RD and CD credentials (as applicable, for registered dietitians).
• The experience should reveal managerial and organizational skills, and a demonstrated interest in nutrition services and nutrition education.
• Educational requirement may be waived for someone with a minimum 3 year’s of direct experience as a WIC supervisor on the recommendation of the WIC Program Director and approval by the Executive Director or Executive Vice President

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• This person must have and maintain a TB test annually.
• This position must obtain Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR within 90 days of hire date and is required to maintain current BLS CPR throughout employment.
• Pre-hire and annual employee health screening required
• Annual influenza vaccine required. Only exception is for employees with a medical or religious exemption approved by Administration. Employees with an approved medical or religious exemption must wear a mask at all time during the flu season.

 Work Environment                                                                                                                          

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee must own or have access to an insured vehicle for site visits and performance of duties at various Sea Mar locations.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to moderately high.

 Physical Requirements                                                                                                                     

The physical demands described here 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.

While performing the regular duties of this job, the employee is required to walk; use hands and fingers, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to stand and sit. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Must be able to lift 35 pounds above 4 feet without assistance. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Must be able to sit at computer terminal or desk for extended periods of time.

 Supervision                                                                                                                                         SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

The WIC Coordinator directly supervises WIC staff. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, selecting, orienting and training WIC staff; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; conducting consistent disciplinary process to employees as necessary; addressing complaints and resolving problems. The position will work with and support other Sea Mar employees and clients to help fulfil the organization’s mission.