Victoria Vargas
Nutritionist/Social Worker
Albuquerque,NM
Summary
Delivers guidance on foods to be consumed for good health for pregnant, post partum, breastfeeding individuals; infant, & children up to age 5. Committed to client satisfaction and maintaining client relationships through professionalism.
Overview
2025
2025
years of professional experience
Work History
Nutritionist II
State of New Mexico-Department of Health WIC
Albuquerque, NM
12.2021 - Current
- Screen applicants to determine eligibility by assessing income, residency, and nutritional risk
- Serves a diverse population with emphasis on refugee population with a monthly clinic caseload around 1,800 families monthly
- Provides group and one-on-one nutrition education, including breastfeeding promotion and support that is responsive to the identified needs/interests of each participant
- Identifies the need for individual care plans and implements them for low-risk participants
- Refers participants to other health and social services and provides appropriate follow-up to referrals
- Documents nutrition services provided, including referral and follow-up to referrals
- Assess participants needs for use of a breast pump and/or any other breastfeeding education
- Obtain and assess hemoglobin and anthropometrics on each participant
- Assist families in developing healthy eating goals and provide on-going nutrition education
- Maintain quality and customer service satisfaction and maintain and protect confidentiality
- Provide outreach in the community, attend health fairs, and developed nutrition education bulletin boards with approved messages
- Ability to communicate and work with a wide variety of culturally diverse people
- Improve client's overall health by developing personalized nutrition plans tailored to their needs.
Fostering Connections Specialist
State of New Mexico
Carlsbad, NM
3 2020 - 10.2021
- Worked with youth that aged out of foster care up to age 26
- Referred youth to healthcare, social services, and other outreach activities
- Experience in entering and retrieving data from multiple information systems
- Screening of youth to determine by assessing income, residency and risk in multiple life domains
- Client education and management of records; collaborating and coordinating with other organizations within the community
Family Assistance Analyst
State of New Mexico
Carlsbad, NM
10.2014 - 03.2020
- Screened applicants to determine eligibility for SNAP, TANF, LIHEAP, Medicaid, & other eligibility programs by assessing income, residency, and risk
- Assisted clients with completion of applications and paperwork.
- Communicated with people from various cultures and backgrounds on application process.
- Provide case management in compliance with federal and state regulations within mandated timeliness
- Provided referrals to healthcare providers, social services, and outreach activities
- Experience in entering and retrieving data from multiple information systems
- Client education and management of records; collaborating and coordinating with other organizations within the community
Children's Community Support Worker
Turquoise Health and Wellness
Carlsbad, NM
08.2009 - 10.2014
- Coordinate and provide services and resources to children/families necessary to promote recovery, rehabilitation and resiliency
- Identified and addressed barriers that impeded the development of skills necessary for independent functioning in the community, school, and home setting
- Supported children and family in crisis situations; and providing individual interventions to develop or enhance an individual's ability to make informed and independent choices
- Managed caseload of 20-25 clients
- Advocated for client rights, ensuring equitable access to necessary services and resources across diverse populations.
- Collaborated with healthcare professionals to develop comprehensive care plans that address both mental and physical health needs.
Supervisor for Children's Community Support Workers and Behavioral Management Workers
Turquoise Health and Wellness
Carlsbad, NM
11.2011 - 5 2012
- Supervised about 12 Community Support Worker and Behavioral Management Workers
- Provided weekly individual and group supervision to provide coaching, on-going training and education
Adult Community Support Worker
Turquoise Health and Wellness
Carlsbad, NM
10.2008 - 08.2009
- Developed personalized care plans, addressing each client's unique needs and goals for improved quality of life.
- Fostered safe and inclusive environment for group discussions, enabling participants to share experiences and strategies for coping.
- Managed caseload of 30-35 clients
- Conducted thorough assessments to identify areas of need, devising targeted interventions for maximum impact.
- Advocated for client rights, ensuring equitable access to necessary services and resources across diverse populations.
Social Work Intern
La Clinica de Familia Healthy Start
Las Cruces, New Mexico
01.2008 - 05.2008
- Case management on pediatric and prenatal cases
- Educated first time expecting mother on prenatal and postnatal development
- Managed caseload effectively to ensure timely completion of required tasks while maintaining high-quality service provision for each family served.
- Ensured compliance with federal, state, and local regulations governing Early Head Start programs during all aspects of service delivery.
- Provided families with information on appropriate nutrition, health and safety practices to enhance overall well-being and prevent potential health issues.
Skills Developer
Family and Youth, Inc. (FYI)
Las Cruces, NM
01.2007 - 05.2008
- Worked one on one with children with behavioral problems ages 4-18 (caseload varied from 2-4 children at a time)
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive, effective treatment plans for students with behavioral challenges.
- Maintained accurate and confidential records of assigned students.
- Reduced instances of disruptive behavior by implementing proactive behavior support plans.
Social Work Intern
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Las Cruces , NM
08.2007 - 12.2007
- Matched volunteers with children ages 5-17 with similar interests
- Recruit new volunteers and children for the program
- Managed caseload efficiently, prioritizing tasks and maintaining timely communication with clients, colleagues, and supervisors.
- Maintained detailed case notes, documenting progress towards goals and critical incidents for accurate reporting.
Education
Bachelor of Social Work - Accredited Program
New Mexico State University
Las Cruces, NMSkills
Nutrition counseling
Adaptability
Motivational interviewing
Prenatal nutrition
Behavioral support
Pediatric nutrition
Postnatal nutrition
Active listening
Cultural sensitivity
Case management
Documentation skills
Eligibility determination
Timeline
Nutritionist II
State of New Mexico-Department of Health WIC
12.2021 - Current
Family Assistance Analyst
State of New Mexico
10.2014 - 03.2020
Supervisor for Children's Community Support Workers and Behavioral Management Workers
Turquoise Health and Wellness
11.2011 - 5 2012
Children's Community Support Worker
Turquoise Health and Wellness
08.2009 - 10.2014
Adult Community Support Worker
Turquoise Health and Wellness
10.2008 - 08.2009
Social Work Intern
La Clinica de Familia Healthy Start
01.2008 - 05.2008
Social Work Intern
Big Brothers Big Sisters
08.2007 - 12.2007
Skills Developer
Family and Youth, Inc. (FYI)
01.2007 - 05.2008
Fostering Connections Specialist
State of New Mexico
3 2020 - 10.2021
Bachelor of Social Work - Accredited Program
New Mexico State University