at Jackson County Health Dept in Murphysboro, Illinois, United States
Job Description
Summary: With minimal consultation, performs WIC job duties, assessments, and outreach duties of a professional nature within a local health department.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Provide an assessment of needed health and social services for the client and family and develops an Individual Care Plan for the client and family, with periodic reassessment of clients’ needs.
- Refer clients to appropriate providers within the community for services identified in the Individual Care Plan. Provides advocacy to assist clients in accessing services; provides on-going follow-up with clients or service providers to determine whether clients have accessed services. Teaches clients skills to become more independent and to access social service agencies and health needs.
- Stay current regarding the IWIC system and enter client data in a timely manner. Complete paperwork required by the State and the local public health department.
- Perform outreach services as required.
- Provide nutrition assessment/counseling/education and identify nutrition/health risks for WIC clients. Also, parenting education to clients, including basic lactation education.
- Provide educational instruction to clients pertaining to health, social and educational issues.
- Access health, social and educational needs and formulate plans to meet those needs.
- Refer clients to Nursing for pregnancy tests as needed. Assist pregnant clients in locating health care providers.
- Provide routine medical assessments (height/weight, blood pressure, hemoglobin, ASQ-3, blood lead and EPDS) as needed, on clients being seen in WIC clinic.
- Establish and further effective working relationships with a variety of community, governmental and professional individuals and groups.
- Assist in training new program staff as needed.
- Participate in emergency response activities for both exercises and actual events as assigned.
- Incorporate ethical standards of practice into all interactions, including the use of data and information
- Adhere to HIPAA privacy regulations and OSHA safety standards pertaining to exposure to toxic substances or other hazards.
- Interact effectively and professionally with all persons regardless of age, cultural, socioeconomic, educational, racial or ethnic background, sexual orientation, lifestyle and physical ability. And the respect cultural, language and religious practices of others.
- Assume responsibility for own professional growth and development by pursuing continuing education, participating in professional committees and work groups and contributing to a work environment where continual improvements in practice are pursued.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Specific to this position:
Check blood lead entries and coordinates drop off/mailings of blood leads weekly.
Qualifications:
Education and Experience:
- Must be a registered nurse licensed in Illinois with minimum of two years of related experience; OR
- A registered dietitian (R.D.) with proof of current registration; OR
- A non-registered nutritionist/dietitian who has a Bachelor’s or Masters Degree in nutrition sciences, dietetics, community nutrition, or public health nutrition.
Technical / Specific to Job:
- Requires competency in computer skills. Experience in data entry, word processing, and basic spreadsheet use is preferred.
- Requires making home visits to clients; must have valid driver’s license, proof of liability insurance and vehicle.
Physical Requirements: Must be able to move or carry up to 25 lbs.
Skills and Characteristics:
- Knowledge of the psychological and sociological concepts governing individual and group behavior.
- Ability to use correct grammar and maintain good written communication skills. Ability to present ideas clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
- Must have initiative, strong organization skills and ability to work independently while managing multiple tasks.
- Demonstrated ability to present and conduct self professionally; a commitment to confidentiality; and a willingness to work as part of a team. Sound judgment, independent decision making, problem-solving and critical thinking skills are also a must.
- Flexibility, strong interpersonal skills and ability to establish effective working relationships with all levels of internal staff as well as external partners.
Work Environment:
- frequent interruptions and distractions with multiple concurrent tasks,
- potential exposure to blood/body fluids, infectious agents and airborne pathogens,
- potential exposure to needles/syringes and waste handling,
- position may require evening or weekend work for special program events.
Specialized Training Requirements (post-hire):
- Incident Command IS 100 and IS 700, at a minimum
- Illinois Mandated Reporter
- Any training required under employment law
