Community Health Assistant

Overview

This position serves as the primary point of contact for the public and families seeking services related to the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program. It is a paraprofessional role that involves acting as a breastfeeding peer counselor (BFPC) and handling clerical duties, as well as providing administrative support for daily operations. Work is conducted under the general supervision of the Processing Unit Supervisor.

This position functions in the Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program within the Nutrition Services Division of the Onslow County Health Department.

Schedule
:
This position schedule is Monday-Friday 1pm-5pm

Our core values—
Resilience
, Excellence
, Accountability
, Customer Service
, and Honesty
—are the foundation of our work and the standard by which we operate. As a member of our team, you are expected to demonstrate these values in every aspect of your role. This means delivering high-quality work, taking responsibility for your actions, providing exceptional service, and maintaining integrity in all interactions. Your commitment to these principles is essential to fostering a positive workplace culture and ensuring the success of our organization and the community we serve.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function 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.

• Provides breastfeeding education and support to pregnant and breastfeeding mothers via clinic visits, texting, telephone, and classes/support group meetings
• Collaborates with local hospitals, physicians, employers, and community partners to coordinate breastfeeding help and support for participants.
• Facilitates/teaches breastfeeding support groups/prenatal infant feeding classes. attends community outreach events and provides in-service training to increase program awareness.
• Function as primary contact for the public seeking WIC information and support, such as eligibility criteria, clarification about benefits, and scheduling appointments.
• Performs receptionist duties, greets visitors, gives information about the different aspects of the WIC Program, and gives appointments to program participants and applicants according to the clinic schedule.
• Receive incoming calls to the WIC hotline, directing callers to the appropriate departments or agencies, as necessary. o
• Identify the primary language spoken and read by individuals with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) and coordinate the utilization of suitable language assistance services.
• Use a variety of automated office systems to establish, retrieve, verify, research, update, and/or authorize program-related actions.
• Provide information about Health Department services and various community resources. o Handle minor client complaints and concerns in a professional manner, escalating issues when necessary
• Perform designated responsibilities as a member of the Disaster Ready Team (DRT), whether through appointment or volunteer participation.
• Performs additional duties as required.

Communication Skills

• Understand basic principles of verbal and nonverbal communication
• Engage in active listening, demonstrate empathetic communication, and gather information while considering language and accessibility requirements.
• Gives the speaker full attention, provides affirmation through verbal and nonverbal cues, does not interrupt, repeats/confirms what the speaker has said
• Provide information to individuals and groups in a clear and concise manner
• Document and maintain written records of activities and services
• Collect data and provide feedback to health and human services agencies, funding sources, and community-based organizations, as applicable

Health Equity Skills

• Protect and maintain confidentiality
• Employ techniques for interacting sensitively and effectively with individuals from diverse cultures
• Understand how implicit bias affects individuals’ understanding, actions, and decisions in an unconscious manner when working with…