Public Health Nurse Ii- Wic

The primary purpose of this position is to provide nutrition services and breastfeeding support for the Bladen County WIC program. This is achieved by conducting nutrition and/or breastfeeding assessments, reviewing client data, monitoring client’s ongoing condition/response to care, providing nutrition education, completing food prescriptions, completing referrals to health care and public assistance programs, and coordinating breastfeeding services. In accordance with the nursing care plan, the employee will use critical thinking skills in problem solving and decision making processes.

Furthermore, the employee will be responsible for identifying client’s needs, developing a plan of care, evaluating the outcome, recording all communications and aspects of nursing care, and collaborating with medical provider and other services to support client’s care.

• Collect and assess information including clinical data, health history, disease status, eco-social information, dietary information, and physical activity behavior. This information may be obtained by the employee or it may be obtained from local health care providers. Data is collected at initial certification, subsequent certification, mid-certification, and nutrition education appointments.
• Use data and assessment of data to establish nutrition risk eligibility for WIC.
• Develop a care plan to include setting goals with input from participants, completing referrals to appropriate health care and public assistance programs, planning appropriate follow‑up, and completing summary of nutrition status/nutrition assessment.
• Utilize the WIC Crossroads Computer System to collect and document participant information. In the event that the Crossroads System is unavailable due to internet connectivity issues, Crossroads software issues, or any unforeseen event, the employee will follow the Crossroads Business Continuity Plan as outlined by the Nutrition Services Branch.
• Adhere to confidentiality requirements outlined in the WIC and Bladen County Health Department policies, as well as HIPAA.
• Receives referrals on WIC patients with the above conditions from Maternity Clinic, Child Health Clinic, Maternity Care Coordinators, Child Service Coordination and other health providers. Receives referrals on non‑WIC patients as time allows.
• Completes nutrition assessment and examines food preferences.
• Conducts interviews to obtain health and professional information and obtains data from medical records.
• Develops patient care plans specific as they relate to the patient’s needs and condition.
• Counsels concerning therapeutic diets, nutrition principles and modification of dietary habits.
• Counsels concerning breastfeeding promotion, education and support.
• Communicates with other local agencies and resources, physicians, and Medical Centers to ensure that all of the patient’s needs are met and makes necessary referrals based on needs assessed.
• Plans and implements the WIC Nutrition Education program with other on‑going nutrition education programs.
• Evaluates the nutritional status of WIC applicants to determine eligibility for WIC services by:
• Interpretation of the following anthropometric data:
  Height, Weight, Length and BMI; assessment of the following biochemical and clinical data:
  Hematocrit/Hemoglobin/Anemia profile, Blood Pressure, Urine, Blood Sugar/GTT, Sickle Cell, Newborn Screening, Blood Lead, History and Physical Assessment.
• Obtaining and assessing dietary information which may consist of any of the following:
  • 24 Hour Recall, Food Frequency, 1 - 7 Day Food Record
• Provides initial counseling at certification to participants in nutrition appropriate to the needs determined by evaluation.
• Provides follow‑up assessment and counseling to participants between certifications and at re‑certifications.
• Prescribes appropriate food packages to WIC participants tailored to individual needs.
• Documents all entries in patient’s medical record.
• Provide information about nutrition (including breastfeeding), using methods, materials, and tools that are designed to enhance a participant’s understanding of the importance of nutrition and physical activity, and its relationship to good…