Nutrition Coordinator - Kanawha WIC

Valley Health Systems•Charleston, WV

About The Position

The Nutrition Coordinator (WIC Nutritionist II) is a Certified Professional Authority who promotes and presents public health nutrition programs. The role requires knowledge of advanced nutrition and medically or nutritionally high-risk situations, basic breastfeeding knowledge, and a working knowledge of state and federal WIC policies and procedures. The Nutritionist II works independently and as part of a team under the supervision of a Nutritionist III or Program Director. The position serves as a preceptor for Nutrition Assistants and Nutrition Associates and may supervise one or more worksites and their staff. At Level 4, the position performs expanded assessments and can certify all participants. It provides initial and follow-up nutrition education to low- and high-risk participants, serves as a preferred provider for high-risk participants, reinforces nutrition goals and objectives, and works with community programs to integrate nutrition services. Depending on the setting, the role may also perform management functions, including supervising WIC nutrition and support staff. A Registered Dietitian or experienced full-time nutritionist may serve in this role. Under limited supervision, the position performs professional work at the full-performance level, requiring technical skills, independent judgment, planning, and organizational skills. Public contact and travel are required, and the employee may be required to supervise staff. Work includes nutrition assessment and counseling, participant certification and care planning, nutrition education, training, data entry, and coordination of WIC services. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in foods and nutrition, dietetics, or public health nutrition; alternatively, a bachelor's degree in a related field with 12 hours in nutrition.
One year of full-time or equivalent part-time paid employment in a qualifying nutrition or dietetics role, such as dietician or nutritionist for a health or welfare agency, food clinic, hospital, child development center, school system, or nutrition council; teacher of foods or nutrition; Agricultural Extension Service agent or food and nutrition specialist; or foods or nutrition research worker.
Knowledge of advanced nutrition and medically or nutritionally high-risk situations, basic breastfeeding, and WIC state and federal policies and procedures.
Knowledge of dietetics and nutrition principles and practices as related to public health, public health services, food services, food assistance, nutrition education resources, and relevant developments in public health.
Skill in interviewing medically high-risk clients, assessing nutritional status, and providing nutrition counseling.
Skill in program management and coordination and in conducting training and in-services.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with professional groups and advocate or constituent groups.
Ability to collect, analyze, and evaluate data and technical information.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, and to write goals and objectives for planning and developing a broad range of nutrition programs.
Complete required WIC Web Based Nutrition Education Program module tests during orientation and complete the checklist after each module. Nutritionist II staff may test out of modules and may choose not to complete the activities.
Public contact and travel are required; may be required to supervise other staff.

Nice To Haves

Current Registered Dietitian status with the American Dietetic Association is preferred in hiring.
A Coordinated Undergraduate Program in dietetics, completion of an AP4 Program in nutrition or an American Dietetic Association-approved dietetic internship, or a graduate degree in a related field may substitute for the required year of experience.
Registered Dietitian qualification is required for specified counseling work with Intermediate Care Facilities or outside agencies, Medicaid-reimbursable programs, and menu development for medical centers or other facilities.

Responsibilities

Provide initial and follow-up nutrition education to low- and high-risk participants.
Conduct expanded assessments and certify participants.
Provide therapeutic dietary counseling and nutritional assessments for medically high-risk clients, such as those in prenatal and pediatric clinics.
Provide nutrition counseling to Intermediate Care Facilities or other outside agencies where qualified as a Registered Dietitian.
Conduct nutrition presentations, consultations, staff in-services, and training for groups, organizations, and staff.
Lead individual and group nutrition or breastfeeding education and discussions, or train and direct staff conducting these activities.
Complete client certifications, assess risk, enter codes into the electronic record system, and write individual care plans.
Review anthropometric measurements and Hemacue Hemoglobin test results for accuracy and verify growth plots.
Enter data into computer systems and make inquiries in those systems as needed.
Assign eWIC cards, load food benefits, and schedule follow-up appointments.
Reinforce nutrition goals and objectives and work with community programs to integrate nutrition services.
Serve as a preceptor for Nutrition Assistants and Nutrition Associates.
May supervise one or more worksites and nutrition and support staff, including nutritionists, office or medical assistants, and peer counselors.
May develop, implement, and evaluate a multi-county Nutrition Education Program as Nutrition Education Liaison.
May coordinate outreach with community programs and agencies to promote the WIC Program.
May develop, implement, and evaluate a multi-county breastfeeding promotion program as Breastfeeding Coordinator.
May coordinate one or more sites, including scheduling and supervising nutritionists and support staff.
Perform other duties as assigned.