RN - WIC (Women, Infants & Children) - Ford County FT

JOB TITLE: RN WIC NURSE

DEPARTMENT: WOMEN, INFANT, AND CHILDREN’S SERVICES

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

GENERAL SUMMARY

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 HealthWorks.

GIBSON AREA HOSPITAL & HEALTH SERVICES MISSION STATEMENT

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

PRINCIPLE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. The WIC Nurse has the overall responsibility for the nutrition services provided by the WIC agency.
2. 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.
3. Ensure assigned program client records are properly maintained in accordance with grant/contract requirements and local, state and federal laws.
4. Maintains knowledge of community resources for assigned programs.
5. Assists with program planning, implementation and evaluation through quarterly and annual reviews, including conducting or delegating chart audits.
6. Perform the six competency areas for WIC nutrition assessment including, but not limited to:
a. Principle of Lifecycle Nutrition: Understands the normal nutrition issues for pregnancy, lactation, the postpartum period, infancy and early childhood.
b. Nutrition assessment: understand the WIC nutrition assessment process including risk assignment and documentation.
c. Data collection: Correctly collect and record height and weight.
d. Communication skills to develop rapport and foster open communication with participants and caretakers.
e. 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.
f. Critical thinking skills

7. Assess and evaluate patient status by:
a. Reviewing and implementing the plan of care.
b. Regularly re-evaluating patient needs.
c. Revising the care plan as necessary.
d. Referring clients to other health care services or health care professionals as appropriate.

8. Collects blood data according to provider orders.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. Teaches the patient and family/caregiver self-care techniques as appropriate.

12. Recognizes and utilizes opportunities for health counseling with patients and families/caregivers.

13. Provides and maintains a safe environment for the patient/client.

14. Assists the patient’s family/caregiver and other health care personnel in providing continuity of care.

15. Supervises support staff and delegates responsibilities as appropriate.

16. 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.

17. Fulfills the obligation of requested and/or accepted case assignments.

18. Promotes breastfeeding and provides breastfeeding education to clients.

19. 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.

20. Maintains confidentiality regarding all health-related issues.

21. Collaborates with marketing personnel and actively participates in outreach for the MCH programs.

22. 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.

23. Seeks guidance and validation of knowledge base, skill level, and decision making as necessary, especially in areas of question.

24. Other associated duties as assigned by supervisor.