RN - WIC; Women, Infants & Children; Ford

Full time, 32 hours weekly. 8-4:30pm and every 1st and 3rd Thursday 10am-7pm

A Registered Nurse providing skilled/technical nursing care, case management services, and education to clients/participants of the Maternal Child Health (MCH) Programs of Ford County operated by Gibson Area Hospital and Health Services. These programs include WIC, Better Birth Outcomes-Comprehensive, and Health Works.

To provide personalized, professional healthcare services to the residents of the communities we serve.

• The WIC Nurse has the overall responsibility for the nutrition services provided by the WIC agency.
• Maintain and abide by the standards and regulations set forth in the MCH Service Codes, the WIC Policy & Procedure’s Manual, and the Case Management/WIC local agency policies and procedures.
• Ensure assigned program client records are properly maintained in accordance with grant/contract requirements and local, state and federal laws.
• Maintains knowledge of community resources for assigned programs.
• Assists with program planning, implementation and evaluation through quarterly and annual reviews, including conducting or delegating chart audits.
• Perform the six competency areas for WIC nutrition assessment including, but not limited to:
• Principle of Lifecycle Nutrition:
  Understands the normal nutrition issues for pregnancy, lactation, the postpartum period, infancy and early childhood.
• Nutrition assessment: understand the WIC nutrition assessment process including risk assignment and documentation.
• Data collection:
  Correctly collect and record height and weight.
• Communication skills to develop rapport and foster open communication with participants and caretakers.
• Multicultural awareness to understand how socio-cultural issues (race, ethnicity, religion, group affiliation, socioeconomic status and world view) affect nutrition, health practices and nutrition-related health problems.
• Critical thinking skills
• Assess and evaluate patient status by:
• Reviewing and implementing the plan of care.
• Regularly re-evaluating patient needs.
• Revising the care plan as necessary.
• Referring clients to other health care services or health care professionals as appropriate.
• Collects blood data according to provider orders.
• Initiates and applies appropriate preventative, therapeutic and rehabilitative nursing procedures and techniques. Maintains communication regarding patient care with the physician and other pertinent health care personnel.
• Observes the patient for changes in condition, discusses changes with the patient or family/caregiver and reports changes, as necessary, to the primary care provider.
• Teaches the patient and family/caregiver self-care techniques as appropriate.
• Recognizes and utilizes opportunities for health counseling with patients and families/caregivers.
• Provides and maintains a safe environment for the patient/client.
• Assists the patient’s family/caregiver and other health care personnel in providing continuity of care.
• Supervises support staff and delegates responsibilities as appropriate.
• Assumes responsibility for personal growth and development and maintains and upgrades professional knowledge and practice skills through attendance and participation in continuing education and in-services.
• Fulfills the obligation of requested and/or accepted case assignments.
• Promotes breastfeeding and provides breastfeeding education to clients.
• Maintains communications with Director of Women, Infant, and Children’s Services, Providers, and the Ford County Public Health Department to meet the needs of the MCH Program clients/participants.
• Maintains confidentiality regarding all health-related issues.
• Collaborates with marketing personnel and actively participates in outreach for the MCH programs.
• Demonstrates an awareness of and assumes self responsibility for nursing practice which falls within the prescribed scope of practice for RN’s as defined in this state’s Nurse Practice Act.
• Seeks guidance and validation of knowledge base, skill level, and decision making as necessary, especially in areas of question.
• Other associated duties as assigned by supervisor.