Nutritionist II

Starting salary based on qualifications and experience.

PRIMARY PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT:

The primary purpose of the organizational unit is to assess, protect and promote the quality of life and health of all people within Davidson County.

PRIMARY PURPOSE OF POSITION:

The major purpose of this position is to provide clinical nutrition services and referrals to qualifying clients with nutrition needs to affect an improvement in the nutritional status of the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) participants. As a clinical nutrition provider, this employee provides comprehensive and in-depth nutrition assessments and counseling to clients. This involves providing education, referrals and WIC benefits to eligible members of this community. This position will work independent of close supervision. They will be responsible for determining clinical eligibility for participation in the WIC Program, maintaining appropriate documentation, utilizing knowledge of community resources and medical/nutritional treatments in developing and implementing a plan of nutrition care for each client applying for or receiving program benefits. This position will be performing the above-mentioned duties working with a team of nutritionists, clerical support staff and the program WIC director who supervises this position.

WORK SCHEDULE:

Monday Friday from 8 am 5 pm, with evening or weekend work possibly being required to accommodate special clinic demands, client need, outreach activities, or public health emergencies.

DESCRIPTION OF RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES: Nutritionist Service Delivery (65%)

The nutritionist position is required to provide WIC services to eligible individuals in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules and policies. This position will spend a significant amount of time providing face to face services with individuals who are seeking WIC benefits and maintaining WIC benefits. This position independently completes a thorough nutrition assessment using anthropometric and biochemical measurements (occasionally will collect this data), health history, socio-economic information and food/nutrition history for clients with a wide variety of needs. This employee provides in-depth individual counseling concerning healthy diets, developmental processes, programmatic parameters, and nutrition principles. Nutrition assessment information will be used to determine eligibility for the program. Daily services include: comprehensive nutritional services to clients; determination of client needs; assurance clients receive appropriate nutrition services; providing specialized education to clients regarding nutrition; explaining the interrelationships of various nutrients in preventing nutritional and medical problems; provide written education plan for clients; develop low-risk nutrition education plans; working with breastfeeding mothers and connection to breast pumps if needed; and documentation of all required data in the appropriate system(s) including but not limited to Crossroads. Nutritionists must be prepared to manage complex nutrition needs, change nutrition plans/benefits based on changes to the individuals health needs, provide services to those who are experiencing stress, and work in a high-volume program. Maintain educational competencies with changes in WIC benefit packages, changes in nutritional guidelines and individual health needs (allergies, medical conditions, etc.).

Lab (10%)

Conduct lab appointment for clients when needed: height, weight, hemoglobin. Maintain skills necessary to complete these tasks.

Office Support (10%)

Duties include clerical work as needed and as part of the documentation of services provided. Must be able to accurately document the client encounters adhering to programmatic guidelines. Maintain knowledge regarding booking appointments, process eligibility, and issue benefits.

Designated Breastfeeding Expert- (10%)

Provide breastfeeding support to participants. Act on all referrals from other WIC staff regarding complex breastfeeding situations. Assist the breastfeeding coordinator in the management and implementation of the local agencys breastfeeding promotion and support activities. Oversee the issuance of breastfeeding aids and supplies. Participate in quarterly forums with the regional WIC Lactation Area Training Centers for Health (LATCH). Level IV Designated Breastfeeding Expert training must be completed within 12 months of hire date.

Other duties as assigned (5%)

Any other responsibility within the scope of position as assigned by supervisor.

OTHER POSITION CHARACTERISTICS: Accuracy Required in Work :

Accuracy and attention to detail are required for this position to assure compliance with program policy and timely delivery of benefits to clients. Documentation must be completed in a timely manner in order to ensure accuracy.

Consequence of Error :

Litigation, declining caseload, loss of program funding, loss or misappropriation of client benefits could result from errors of this position. Decisions regarding assessment and care affect clients nutritional status and health outcomes. Programmatic decisions may affect organization efficiency and efficacy in meeting population needs. Work by this employee contributes noticeably to health and nutritional status of individual clients, their families, and the local population. Errors by this position could result in poor nutrition care for clients, liability for the worker and/or the agency.

Instructions Provided to Employee :

The employee must be aware of program goals and objectives and address these with minimal supervision. Considerable independence of judgment and creativity is expected in resolving on the job problems and conflict resolution. The employee in this position may seek technical advice for more complex programmatic issues. This position must be able to receive new and modified administrative and programmatic directives and incorporate these directives into service delivery. Instruction will be provided verbally, via email, printed memo, or any combination or means. Continuing professional development is needed to carry out responsibilities and annual training is required by Davidson County Health Department and Davidson County Government. The Nutrition Program Director and the WIC Program Regional consultant are available for face to face or phone consultation as needed.

Guides, Regulations, Policies and References Used by Employee:

Davidson County Personnel Resolution, Health Department Intranet, WIC Program Manual, and state and local WIC Program policies.

Supervision Received by Employee:

This positions supervisor will be the local WIC Program Director. The position will need to function with much independence in order to maintain the fast pace of the clinic flow. Various departmental, county and state guidelines are used.

Variety and Purpose of Personal Contacts :

This position will have continuous contact with the public including individuals of diverse cultural, educational and socio-economic backgrounds.

Physical Effort :

This position will be able to physically perform the basic life operational support functions of stooping, kneeling, reaching, walking, lifting, fingering, talking, hearing and repetitive motions. This position must be able to perform sedentary work exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and /or up to 10 pounds of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.

Work Environment and Conditions :

This position will work primarily in the Health Department which is temperature controlled, clean and safe. On occasion this position may have to work in an alternate setting that could be outside for outreach projects or special events.

Machines, Tools, Instruments, Equipment, and Materials Used :

This position will primarily use a computer, printer, MICR printer, signature pad, card reader, and Xerox fax/copy/print. These pieces of equipment will be used on a daily basis to complete job duties. On occasion this position may have to complete lab duties where scales, height board and hemoglobin analyzers are used. This position utilizes manual and electric breast pumps to assist nursing mothers and must have a working knowledge of the machines both manual and electric, as well as other breastfeeding aids such as shells, shields and pads.

Visual Attention, Mental Concentration, and Manipulative Skills :

This position must possess visual acuity to ensure accuracy of data collection and appointment scheduling. The employee must be able to concentrate in a moderate to noisy environment where there may be crying children and other conversations in close proximity. This position requires manipulation skills of the fingers and hands in writing, using computers, telephone and any other type of office equipment and operating an automobile.

Safety for Others :

Responsible for promoting safety for self and others both inside and outside the office, including the road. Must follow agency and county safety rules and procedures. Adheres to accident and incident reporting and documenting procedures. Must be alert to signs of potential violence and other dangers. Position is required to report any possible safety hazards for staff and public immediately. Must follow communicable disease regulations, OSHA regulations, and chemical hazard regulations. Receives training on blood borne pathogens and other communicable diseases and instruction in personal safety. Should keep all work areas clean and uncluttered.

Dynamics of Work:

The employee must maintain knowledge of the Crossroads electronic operating system used for the WIC Program. This position may have additional duties added if immediate supervisor sees it to be necessary. This position has activities that may expose the employee to blood and bodily fluids.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES:

Specialized knowledge and skill in comprehensive nutrition assessment and care planning, including problem diagnosis, counseling and evaluation of clients from diverse backgrounds, ages, and with multiple and complex health and therapeutic nutritional needs will be used by this position. Knowledge of human behavior and techniques for effecting behavior changes with considerable skill in counseling is required. This employee must apply a broad knowledge in health care ethics, documentation in the medical record, and quality assurance. Knowledge in organization of community health and nutrition resources must be applied. A sophisticated knowledge of current scientific information regarding nutrition, diet, and health and the ability to relate this information to clients, professionals, and the general public is required. This employee must possess the ability to interpret policy and protocols into operational procedures and work priorities. This employee must utilize full range of skill in presenting ideas orally and in writing in a clear, concise manner.

TRAINING Required Minimum Training:

Registered Dietitian with the Commission on Dietetics Registration; or Masters degree in Dietetics, Public Health Nutrition, or Nutrition: or graduation from Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education - approved Didactic Program in Dietetics and two years nutrition experience; or Dietetic Technician, Registered with the Commission on Dietetics Registration with a Bachelors degree in any subject area from an accredited four-year college or university and two years nutrition experience; or a Bachelors of Science degree in Dietetics, Public Health Nutrition or Community Nutrition from an accredited four-year college or university and two years nutrition experience.

Additional Training/Experience: N/A

Equivalent Training and Experience: N/A

LICENSE OR CERTIFICATION REQUIRED BY STATUTE OR REGULATION: Candidates will provide documentation of registration status from the Commission on Dietetics Registration, provide university or college transcripts or CADE verification statement. Valid NC Drivers License.