WIC Peer Navigator

Job Description

General Information:

Job Title: WIC- Peer Navigator

Working Job Title (if different)

Department: Health Center

Revised Date: January 2025

Reports To: Director of Departmental Operations

FLSA Status: Non-exempt

General Schedule (GS) Pay Designation: GS-5/GS-6/GS-7 (GS-5 - GS-7 commensurate with education and lived experience.)

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

We are actively seeking to create a diverse work environment because organizations are stronger with different perspectives and experiences. BCHD is committed to cultivating a workforce representative of the community which it serves. We examine our unconscious biases and take responsibility for always striving to create an inclusive environment that makes every employee and candidate feel welcome. We encourage women, people of color, LGBTQIA individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, older members of society, and others from minority groups and diverse backgrounds to apply.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, pregnancy, disability, age, veteran status, or other non – merit characteristics. All employees and those contracted by BCHD are responsible for maintaining a work culture free from discrimination and harassment by treating others with kindness and respect.

General Summary:

The Peer Navigator provides case management services to individuals, families, communities, and population groups, directed toward the goals of prevention, assessment, risk reduction, and health status improvement. Peer Navigator activities include, but are not limited to, systematic analysis of health data, care plan development, health education and advocacy, coalition building, and collaborating with community partners. Peer Navigators often collaborate and consult within multidisciplinary and multi-agency teams in order to achieve desirable outcomes for families and communities. Peer Navigators at the Boone County Health Department (BCHD) are required to carry out grant deliverables in related Maternal Child Health Grants, including Birth to Five Illinois and WIC, in the office, out in the community, and on the mobile unit during normal business hours as well as outside of normal business hours. Peer Navigators will be required to work flexible, weekend and evening hours as scheduled to provide WIC services whether it be in the clinic or on the mobile unit. Peer navigators are paraprofessionals and are an integral and dynamic part of BCHD’s team.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Under general supervision and/or as part of various workgroups and teams, the peer Navigator performs the following essential functions within the framework of Boone County Health Department’s provision of the core functions and essential services of Public Health:

Public Health Sciences:

• Performs comprehensive individual and family assessments which include health history, developmental assessment, psycho-social assessment, assessment for substance abuse or domestic violence issues, and assessment of basic needs.
• Provides care coordination, referral and follow-up to individuals and families who are members of a vulnerable population and/or high-risk groups.
• Provides education and counseling to individuals, families and community groups that are adapted to their unique needs, lifestyle, cultural and socio-economic situation.
• Obtains and completes appropriate patient "Consent for Care" forms. Follows established Public Health medical records policies and procedures that govern the release of health care information.
• Documents client assessment and intervention data in electronic records.
• Responds to individual client emergency situations in the clinical or home setting and summons other health care providers and emergency response personnel as needed.
• Collaborates in development and delivery of programs and activities for population groups that promote health and prevent disease; evaluates outcomes of interventions and collaborates to make changes as necessary.
• Participates in response teams to prevent, minimize, and contain adverse health events resulting from health disparities.

Community Divisions of Practice:

• Collaborates in BCHD’s community health assessment and health improvement planning and intervention activities and collaborates with other community agencies to address community health priorities and determine new ways to address health issues.
• Attends and participates in strategic action planning, work groups, and grant management by participating in applicable community councils and coalitions.
• Advocates on behalf of vulnerable individuals and populations; participates in assessing and evaluating health care services to inform individuals of available health department and community programs/services.
• Contributes to a work environment that fosters ongoing educational experiences regarding case management for colleagues, health-related students, health care professionals, and members of the community.

Analysis and Assessment:

• Distinguishes between quantitative and qualitative community assessment data; knows how to access and interpret basic community epidemiological data.
• Participates in the analysis of data to identify trends, health problems, environmental health hazards, and social and economic conditions that adversely affect the public’s health.

Leadership and Systems Thinking:

• Adheres to applicable Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards, such as those concerning exposure to blood borne pathogens, toxic substances, airborne pathogens or exposure to other hazards during routine assignments or public health emergencies.
• Collaborates in developing a work environment where performance management and continuous quality improvement in professional practice is pursued to improve patient outcomes through collaboration, negotiation, and conflict resolution.

Policy Development and Program Planning:

• Coordinates Public Health activities with environmental and Public Health professionals and investigators from other agencies and jurisdictions, including, but not limited to, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
• Collaborates in the development of evidence-based Public Health case management practices and programs, long and short-range policies, and Public Health programs in Boone County.

Communication and Cultural Competency:

• Engages directly with a diverse population.
• Places special emphasis on targeted outreach activities to newly arriving immigrant individuals and families to fulfill targeted grant deliverables.
• Delivers targeted, culturally-appropriate information to help individuals and groups understand local environmental Public Health policies, regulations and code.
• Utilizes appropriate methods for interacting effectively and professionally with persons of all ages and from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, educational, racial, and ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientations, lifestyles and physical abilities.
• Adheres to ethical principles and Boone County Health Department policy in the collection, maintenance, use, and dissemination of data and information with mandated chart documentation requirements, medical record forms, State and Federal laws, and patient consent.

Financial Planning and Management:

• Collaborates in activities such as time studies that contribute to the development of budgets and the efficient use of resources.
• Participates in timely submission of grant documents and program data for grant management.

Other Duties Include:

• Participates in department and community emergency response training consistent with job classification in support of Public Health emergency and disaster preparedness, such as National Incident Management System (NIMS)/Incident Command System (ICS) certification.
• Uses quality improvement (QI) and performance management (PM) processes and/or techniques to improve the effectiveness of the respective Public Health program.
• Assumes responsibility for own professional growth and development by pursuing continuous improvements in education and training.
• Other duties as assigned not otherwise specified.

Behavior Expectations:

• Treats others with courtesy and respect in all interactions.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required:

Day to Day Responsibilities:

• Responsible for all WIC clinic functions and ensures all DHS and BCHD WIC policies and procedures/ competencies are followed.
• Must complete WIC Paraprofessional training level II commensurate with educational background and credentials.
• Must adhere to WIC CPA referral process when client’s needs are out of scope.
• Must adhere to Integrated Referral and Intake System (IRIS) referral process to explore and connect clients to additional needed services.
• Supporting the creation and disseminating of resource kits to the community.
• Helping clients navigate system barriers including transportation, access to food, and language assistance.
• Complete car seat inspections and provide education to families on state guidelines to ensure appropriate seat is used for infant/child.
• Coordinates to complete all stages of the client certification process including screening, assessment, counseling, documentation and follow up.
• Communicates necessary staff and client issues to Supervisor.
• Provides nutrition counseling, and breastfeeding counseling when applicable, to all eligible participants at certification and individual follow up visits.
• Provides appropriate counseling and follow up to high risk/high priority clients as determined by WIC assessment and adheres to program standards of practice.
• Maintains legible and complete client IWIC records, documenting all client educational contacts and pertinent information according to agency standards.
• Schedules, coordinates and conducts group and individual nutrition education sessions.
• Maintains integrity of EBT card inventory, security, issuance and reconciliation.
• Accurately completes appropriate referral process to CPA to provide medically prescribed formulas.
• Obtains client anthropometric measurements as necessary, utilizing length/height boards, scales, head circumference tapes and non-invasive hemoglobin monitors.
• Responsible for all Family Case Management (FCM) functions and ensures all DHS and BCHD FCM policies and competencies are followed.
• Coordinates all assessments, education, referrals, care coordination, documentation, follow-up visits, and cornerstone entries for FCM.
• DCFS mandated reporter.
• Must be willing to perform program outreach and enrollment at various settings in the community, including hospital bedside, community partner events and offsite office hours.
• Assists with identifying, recruiting, and training individuals with lived experience for WIC Guide positions.

Education, Licensure, Certifications, Experience:

• Navigator III-GS-7-BS in Nutrition or a registered Nurse in the State of Illinois Preferred
• Navigator II-GS-6-Bachelor’s degree in related field plus at least one year of relevant experience in nutrition or public health. Must complete WIC Paraprofessional Training program within 90 Days of hire.
• Navigator I-GS-5-Associates Degree and/or Medical Assistant Certificate and at least two years of relevant experience in nutrition or public health. Must complete WIC Paraprofessional Training program within 90 Days of hire.
• Must complete breastfeeding education training during first year of employment (upon successful completion of training, Nutritionist earns title of Breastfeeding Support Counselor)
• Car Seat Technician Certification Training completed within first year of employment.
• Experience working with various socioeconomic populations is a plus.
• Experience in a nonprofit, social service organization, or a Community Based Organization (CBO) is a plus.
• Bilingual candidates in Spanish/English preferred.
• Valid Illinois driver’s license, current certificate of vehicle insurance, and access to reliable transportation to all assigned work locations.
• Proficient in MS Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, SharePoint, Internet, is preferred.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Knowledge of the core functions and essential services of Public Health.
• Knowledge of population-based health status indicators, determinants of health and illness, factors contributing to health promotion and disease prevention, and factors influencing the use of health services.
• Knowledge of health care systems structure and function.
• Knowledge of adult health education techniques and principles including: reproductive health education, related services information, option counseling, and emergency contraception services.
• If commensurate with educational background and credentials, knowledge of current recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice (ACIP) for vaccination of different population groups (as well as immunization administration) and ability to determine which immunizations are needed for an individual based on demographics and medical history.
• Demonstrates ability to use mathematical functions (such as addition, multiplication, computation of ratios and percentages with whole numbers and fractions/decimals).
• Demonstrates ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.

Due to the need for all Health Department personnel to respond to Public Health emergencies, the employee must be assessed for his/her ability to meet the physical demands of performing the following activities:

• Must be able to be fitted and wear NIOSH 95 mask.
• Engage in the following movements: Climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, writing, and repetitive motions.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Hearing ability sufficient enough to communicate with others effectively in person and over the phone. Visual ability sufficient enough to read documents, screens, and to drive a car.

If unable to demonstrate these abilities based upon a standardized, objective assessment performed by external occupational health professionals, all reasonable accommodations will be made, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and other applicable Federal and Illinois law.

Working Conditions While Performing Essential Functions:

General office setting in health department facilities, as well as community sites in clients’ homes and workplaces. The Peer Navigator will also occasionally work on BCHD’s mobile health unit this may require weekend and afternoon hours.

Work performed in the community is sometimes subject to conditions that range from inclement weather to dangerous conditions such as snow/ice, cold, heat, noise (usually moderate), wetness/humidity, vibration, and poor illumination at the job site or while traveling. Travel to and from locations may subject worker to increased risk of driving hazards, and the employee may be required to travel to attend job-related conferences, training, or to other departments. Community locations may subject worker to communicable diseases, insects and other disease vectors, toxins, chemicals, and animals. The employee must be able to perform and complete duties under stress, deadlines, and while attending to multiple duties at once. The employee must follow all county and department policies, goals, and objectives.

In all settings, employees in this classification may occasionally need to relate to members of the public who exhibit challenging, atypical, or hostile behaviors and/or communication.

Equipment used to Perform Essential Functions:

Computer, Fax, copier, personal or county vehicle, some public health and medical equipment, and supplies related to duties.

Reporting Structure:

Title of Immediate Supervisor: Director of Departmental Operations

Titles of any others this position reports to:

Titles of those who directly report to this position:

This job is not supervisory in nature. May provide guidance and training to new staff and/or interns.

Blood borne Pathogen Risk Code: None __ Low __ Medium __ High_X*_*

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $20.68 - $33.30 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Evenings as needed
• Weekends as needed

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Language:

• Spanish (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Belvidere, IL 61008 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Belvidere, IL 61008: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $21 - $33