GEORGIA WIC PROGRAM PROCEDURES MANUAL OM

Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) Employed as a WIC CPA OM-420.02 Effective Date: March 2, 2017

No. of Pages: 2

Page 1 of 2

Policy Physicians, nutritionists (bachelor’s or master’s degree in Nutritional Sciences, Community Nutrition, Clinical Nutrition, Dietetics, Public Health Nutrition), registered dietitians, licensed dietitians, registered nurses, and physician assistants (certified by the National Committee on certification of Physicians Assistants or certified by the State medical certifying authority), or State or local medically trained health officials are acknowledged and therefore, authorized to serve in the role as a Competent Professional Authority (CPA). Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) are not acknowledged as Competent Professional Authorities (CPAs) and are not authorized to serve in this role. As a result, LPNs shall not be hired or transferred to serve in this role after March 2, 2017. LPNs hired prior to March 2, 2017, and currently serving in a Georgia WIC CPA role may continue to work in this role.

Purpose To comply with federal regulations that define the CPA and ensure a smooth transition in Georgia WIC staffing implementation.

Procedure I. Nutrition Services Directors or designee will submit a list of LPNs working as WIC CPAs to the State WIC Office by June 30, 2017.

II. For LPNs serving in this role prior to March 2, 2017, the state WIC office will provide each district with a letter verifying that the LPN(s) currently serving in the role as a CPA are eligible to continue to provide CPA WIC Services.

III. Districts shall keep the state WIC office issued letter on file as proof of verification of their LPN’s status as WIC CPA’s.

IV. LPNs seeking to transfer to a WIC CPA position in another clinic or District must meet current qualifications for the desired position.

V. Once a LPN WIC CPA has a break in service of one or more business days or a termination of employment, they must meet current WIC CPA definition to be eligible to be hired as a WIC CPA.

VI. Districts will notify the State Program Operations and Nutrition Office when an LPN WIC CPA is no longer in the position for which the district received a letter verifying their status as an eligible WIC CPA. The employment status change will be reported to the State Program Operations and Nutrition Office within 15 days of the effective date.

GEORGIA WIC PROGRAM PROCEDURES MANUAL OM

Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) Employed as a WIC CPA OM-420.02 Effective Date: March 2, 2017

No. of Pages: 2

Page 2 of 2

Authority Federal CPA definition

Definitions/Supporting Information Competent Professional Authority (CPA) – An individual on the local agency staff who is authorized to determine nutritional risk and prescribe supplemental foods. The following individuals may be authorized and trained to serve as a CPA: physicians, nutritionists (bachelor’s or master’s degree in Nutritional Sciences, Community Nutrition, Clinical Nutrition, Dietetics, Public Health Nutrition), registered dietitians, licensed dietitians, registered nurses, and physician assistants (certified by the National Committee on certification of Physicians Assistants or certified by the State medical certifying authority), or State or local medically trained health officials. Break in Service – Separation from service for a period of one or more days.