Nutritionist II - WIC

Job Title: Nutritionist II - WIC

Department: Health and Human Services
Pay Grade: 67
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Schedule: 8am - 5pm, Monday - Friday

AGENCY MISSION, YOUR MISSION
Haywood County Health and Human Services’ mission is to enhance the health, safety, and full potential of our community. In the Economic Services Division, you would serve as a conduit for Haywood County citizens’ access to economic and financial supports. All members of our team must uphold the confidentiality of Haywood County's citizens, safeguarding their privacy and dignity at all times.

JOB SUMMARY

The purpose of the Nutrition Services Section is to administer the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program and to provide medical nutrition therapy, in accordance with the American Dietetic Association (ADA) Standards of Professional Practice. The WIC program must be administered in compliance with the financial eligibility and medical/nutritional criteria as defined by the state policy. A registered dietitian will provide enhanced medical nutrition therapy, and the program will be administered in compliance with state and local procedures.

The purpose of the Nutritionist II position is to provide nutrition services and determine eligibility for persons participating in the WIC Program and Enhanced Medical Nutrition Therapy Program. Accurate and appropriate services will be provided in accordance with state and local policies and with ADA Standards of Professional Practice. Compliance with departmental guidelines, administrative support, clerical guidance, and supervisory relief will be required.

Work Schedule:

Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with 1 hour for lunch, however an alternate work schedule (40 hours per week) may be considered upon request. Other hours may be set or required per the County policy. Perform duties in times of emergency, including but not limited to, those that may be related to a Public Health Emergency or mass sheltering, as the agency is a mandated shelter for the county, and performs such duties as assigned, and the hours worked in emergency response could vary from hours worked in the office.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Clinical/Nutrition Education/Referral

a. Provide comprehensive nutrition counseling (initial and follow-up) for clients within the health department and clients referred for nutritional services which include clients receiving Prenatal, Child Health, and WIC services. Nutrition counseling is based on anthropometric, biochemical, clinical, dietary and ecosocial data.

b. Determine nutrition eligibility of program applicants to the WIC program using anthropometric, biochemical, clinical, dietary and ecosocial data.

c. Document nutrition-related services provided to clients in individual medical records. Documentation must be current and accurate and in chronological order.

d. Formulate and execute food prescriptions for WIC clients according to program guidelines and individual needs. Make necessary changes in food prescriptions and chart nutritional needs.

e. Formulate, implement and evaluate nutrition-related group classes, appropriate for WIC clientele: children, prenatal and postpartum clients, and parents of infants and children.

f. Schedule WIC appointments to coincide with other health department services. Refer clients to appropriate clinics for patients needing additional health department services.

g. Recommend and expedite referrals of clients and families to appropriate agencies or organizations for cohesive delivery of necessary services (such as Food Stamps (SNAP), Work First, Medicaid, Haywood Christian Ministries, local food pantries, and Smoky Mountain Mental Health).

h. Provide individual counseling to prenatal and breastfeeding mothers and refer as needed to lactation specialist and/or peer counselors.

i. Provide guidance and training to peer counselors.

j. Must be capable of providing Medical Nutrition Therapy, including individualized and group nutrition education and appropriate follow-up per referral by medical provider in or outside of Haywood County Health and Human Services Agency (HCHHSA) as needed. Manage required documentation system for patient referral, reporting, and billing.

k. In the absence of a Breastfeeding Coordinator, must be willing to serve as Breastfeeding Coordinator for HCHHSA breastfeeding peer counselor program per protocol in NC WIC program manual, as necessary to be in compliance, or as appointed to do so.

l. Accept general vendor calls and answer questions. Route problem/complaint calls to supervisor. Document and report calls from vendors.

m. Must be capable of complete comprehensive menu review and approval for Meals on Wheels program.

• Administrative

a. Assist with annual vendor education/training and be available to perform required vendor revalidation and other vendor-related duties on a relief basis as needed.

b. Assist in management and support of breastfeeding peer counselor and breast pump loan activities.

c. Assist and support with development of goals of nutrition services and the pursuit of grants for potential expansion.

d. Cooperate and support basic organization for nutrition services section and management of WIC program.

e. Participate in promotion of enhanced medical nutrition therapy program.

f. Perform supervisory duties on relief basis as needed.

g. Participate in the training of nutrition students and provide input for their performance evaluations.

• Community Involvement

a. Promote community knowledge of WIC to increase WIC awareness and participation by eligible residents.

b. Design and implement community projects for local agencies, schools, industries, and other organizations or groups especially to promote WIC and health benefits related to good nutrition.

c. Provide in-service training for professional disciplines as necessary.

• Emergency Response, including but not limited to support of the Federally mandated and State statutory responsibilities including, but not limited to Public Health and Mass Care duties.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK:

• Graduation from a Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education-approved Didactic Program in Dietetics; or Dietetic Technician, Registered with the Commission of Accreditation for Dietetics Education with a Bachelor’s degree in any subject area from an accredited four-year college or university; of a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Dietetics, Public Health Nutrition or Community Nutrition from and accredited four-year college or university.
• Must be at least twenty-one years of age to drive a County vehicle.
• Valid state driver’s license. Must have no more than three (3) points showing on current DMV records in order to operate County vehicles.
• Must participate in Respiratory Protection Plan and be Fit Tested Annually.

Additional Training/Experience:

• Participate and/or attend nutrition-related seminars, workshops, and updates to expand nutrition, WIC, public health, and counseling knowledge and skills.
• Infection Control Regulatory Practices /OSHA Infection Training required by state
• ICS training based on statutory requirements and duties of the job.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITITES:

• Knowledge of county ordinances, policies, and procedures.
• Skilled in communicating effectively both orally and in writing.
• Skilled in the use of computers and applicable software programs.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate effectively with other employees and the general public.
• Specialized knowledge and skill in comprehensive nutrition assessment and care planning, including problem diagnosing, counseling, and evaluation of clients from diverse backgrounds, ages and with multiple and complex health and therapeutic nutritional needs.
• Knowledge in organization of community health and nutrition resources.
• Broad knowledge in health care ethics, documentation in the medical record, and quality assurance.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The job requires normal visual acuity and field of vision, hearing and speaking abilities, depth and texture perception, and color perception. Stamina to be on feet during working day. Must possess ability to ambulate without assistance as getting in and out of car and walk in rough terrain at times will be necessary. Requires sedentary work that involves sitting or standing virtually all of the time and may involve a moderate to heavy amount of lifting and carrying items from location to location. Considerable skill, adeptness, and speed in the use of fingers, hands or limbs in tasks involving repetitive motions and the use of standard office equipment.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The office of this position is located at the Haywood County Health and Human Services Agency. The working conditions of this position are that of a typical office environment.

EMPLOYER BENEFITS PACKAGE:

• Employer paid Health & Dental Coverage
• Participation in the NC Retirement System
• 401(k) and 457(b) plans available
• Employer paid Life Insurance
• Competitive Vision Insurance
• Annual Performance Pay Increases
• Vacation, Personal, and Sick Leave
• Free Employee Assistance Network
• Free Employee Wellness Clinic
• Discounted Gym Membership
• Paid Holidays
• Longevity Pay

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.

Haywood County has the right to revise this position description at any time and does not represent in any way a contract of employment.

Haywood County is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $45,632.79 per year

Benefits:

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

Work Location: In person