Comp ParaProfessional Authority (CPPA)

Job Description

Job Description

INTRODUCTION

The Competent Paraprofessional Authority (CPPA I and CPPA II) provides services to WIC clients such as income eligibility determination, health screening, health care and other referrals, and basic nutrition education to low-risk participants. The CPPA assists the Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist in certifying WIC participants.

MAJOR DUTIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Interviews participants to obtain socioeconomic, health and dietary information following the DC WIC State Agency-provided assessment tools.
• Educates participants regarding their rights and responsibilities, the food delivery system, WIC foods and certification schedule.
• Performs and records height and weight measurements.
• Performs and records biochemical measurements, such as hemoglobin or lead tests.
• Screens the health and nutritional status of participants and identifies problems that place them at nutritional risk.
• Provides basic nutrition education to non-high risk participants either individually or in a group setting with established curriculum and under the supervision of the CPA, Nutrition Coordinator, or Program Director.
• Promotes the advantages of breastfeeding to all prenatal participants unless contraindicated for health reasons.
• Provides substance abuse and smoking cessation information.
• Provides referrals as appropriate and identified during the screening process.
• Completes food prescription for standard contract formulas in powder or concentrate form.
• Completes default food prescription for non-high risk women and children per WIC State Agency policy.
• Refers high-risk participants, breastfeeding participants, and participants with questions or concerns beyond the CPPA scope of work to CPA in accordance with WIC State Agency policy.
• Maintains caseload as determined by the WIC Director.
• Documents all contacts made with WIC participants in the DC WIC CARES system.
• Issues food benefits in accordance with WIC State Agency policy.
• Assures that proper documentation of voided checks, immunization records, demographic information, appointments, education, and all other required documentation is appropriately recorded.
• Proactively acts to resolve routine problems that arise regarding the CARES (or MIS) system.
• Performs secondary nutrition education in accordance with WIC policies and in a manner that is satisfactory as set forth by the WIC Director.
• Performs anthropometrics appropriately and maintain a passing grade on trainings given.
• Maintains passing grades on any training post-tests and observations done by the WIC Director and Nutrition Coordinator.
• Complies with requirements set forth by the Management Evaluation results.
• Complies at all times with WIC policies regarding all aspects of service delivery.
• Attends and completes all WIC-related trainings as assigned by the WIC Director.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Additional Duties of a CPPA II:

• All duties under the CPPA I job description.
• Independently works on special projects, as assigned by the WIC Director. Examples include: developing nutrition education materials, designing forms, creating SharePoint documents or tracking logs for the team to use.
• Provides training for other staff members at WIC staff meetings.
• Completes DC Health reports as assigned by WIC Director for State Agency requirements. Examples include: Voided/Cashed report, Inventory Report, Management Evaluation follow up reporting.
• Conducts data analysis and prepares data visualizations as assigned by WIC Director.
• Assists the WIC Director with special projects and initiatives.
• Conducts outreach in the community as assigned by WIC director (virtual or in-person). Examples include attending and speaking at events or health fairs.

Professional Accountability:

• Follows Local Agency guidelines concerning attendance, scheduling, meetings, holidays, sick days, emergencies, etc.
• Follows all site rules and performs work duties as designated, individually or part of a team.
• Attends mandatory staff trainings for Unity and for the DC WIC State Agency.
• Uses office equipment for work related purposes only.
• Respects each client by keeping their information strictly confidential.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• High School Diploma or GED certification.
• Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition, Public Health, Health Education, Nursing, or related field. LPN and Dietetic Technicians preferred.
• Must complete State Agency-required training with a passing grade on an administered exam upon completion of training.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrated excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent customer service and time management skills.
• Ability to work well in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment.
• Willingness to work at multiple Unity sites.
• Proficiency in Spanish is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated proficiency with business software (e.g. Microsoft Office Suite-Word, Excel, Outlook and/or PowerPoint preferred). Proficiency using WIC MIS.

Eligibility for Consideration for Advancement to CPPA II:

• One year of continuous successful experience in the position as a CPPA.
• Mastery of all responsibilities and duties of the CPPA I position.
• Demonstrated track record of going above and beyond to improve WIC operations at UHC. Examples may include: assisting with maintaining site cleanliness and organization, assisting with inventory management and setup of new supplies/equipment, creating new systems or processes that help with clinic flow, providing coordination for other staff members on project teams, or suggesting potential projects to the WIC Director.
• Demonstrated ability to meet caseload goals as outlined under CPPA I.
• Achievement of identified goals as they relate to the needs of the department and as established by the supervisor within the one-year period.
• Has demonstrated the following skills during tenure as CPPA I: exemplary organizational skills and attention to detail, high-level mastery of Office 365 programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Teams), high-level proficiency with the WIC MIS.
• Evidence of completion of additional training that may be recommended by supervisor and/or participation in approved professional development programs or courses, approved in advance by the supervisor.
• Consistent compliance with general office procedures such as standards contained in the Employee Handbook, demonstration of discretion, excellent customer service, and regular and punctual attendance.
• Above Satisfactory overall job performance for the most recent year.
• Recommendation of the supervisor.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

The position reports to the WIC Director. The position receives general oversite from a designated higher-level staff person, such as a Competent Professional Authority (CPA), Nutrition Coordinator, or Program Director.

GUIDELINES

The position abides by all rules and regulations set forth by applicable licensing and regulatory bodies, as well as UHC policies and procedures. .

PERSONAL CONTACTS

The position requires contact with staff at all levels throughout the organization. There are also external organization relationships that may be a part of the work of this individual. .

PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Some walking, standing, bending and carrying of light items such as books and paper is required.
• See the ADA Physical Efforts Effort Checklist.

RISKS

The position’s work involves everyday risk and discomforts, which require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices, meetings, training rooms, and other UHC sites. The work area is adequately lit, heated, and ventilated.

The statements contained herein describe the scope of the responsibility and essential functions of this position, but should not be considered to be an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned including work in other areas to cover absences or relief to equalize peak work periods or otherwise balance the workload.