NUTRITION EDUCATOR - 64084558

State of Florida • DADE CITY, FL

23d • Onsite

About The Position

The incumbent is part of a global public health organization and is expected to support the Florida Department of Health in Pasco County in its mission to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts and its vision to be the Healthiest State in the Nation. Furthermore, the incumbent is expected to incorporate the agency values of Innovation, Collaboration, Accountability, Responsiveness and Excellence in all aspects of their work.

Working hours:Monday through Thursday from 7:00am to 5:30pm, Closed on Friday (hours may differ during New Hire Training)

This is a highly skilled professional position which requires an expert understanding of the Federal WIC & Nutrition Program and the use of the WIC FL WiSE system with minimal supervision. Maintains current knowledge of the Federal WIC program regulations including WIC memos, WIC data system guide and the DOH manual 150-24. Having successfully completed the Nutrition Education Series of the Florida Nutrition Training Guide Modules, will provide quality nutrition care to WIC participants in compliance with the Federal Regulations. The incumbent is expected to promote cooperation, courtesy, and teamwork as an employee of the Department of Health in Pasco County, represents the agency and its mission and values. Maintains a courteous and cooperative relationship with staff and the public. Adheres to all departmental policy/procedure, state and federal laws governing participant information, security and privacy. Follow agency guidelines on the use and operation of computers, telephones, copiers and faxes.
Completes Nutrition Assessment for all low and high-risk WIC clients to provide client-centered nutrition services. Documents Nutrition Care Plan and identified nutrition risks using a standardized process. Provides VENA based nutrition assessment and counseling utilizing appropriate educational materials. Assess clients readiness to change and help client choose appropriate goal(s). Makes referrals for appropriate health and social services. Establishes appropriate number of subsequent individual nutrition education contacts. Evaluates and revises nutrition care plan as needed.
Attends inservice on the Nutrition Education Kit and provides interactive nutrition education contacts to low risk participants. Inputs the nutrition service code in the data system. Mainains documentation of participant goal setting. Promotes breastfeeding education. Assists with and participates in QI/QA activities to support the success of WIC.
Obtains accurate data on height and weight measurements on participants. Performs hematocrit/hemoglobin testing and records results electronically. Cleans equipment and area where blood work is done daily. Maintains “universal precautions” when completing HST duties. Follows established guidelines and standards for safety in handling equipment, biological specimens and waste products to prevent exposure to blood borne pathogens. Accurately completes the lab/anthro screens in the electronic data system. Maintains and inventories all medical supplies.
Disburses WIC EBT and VOC/ID cards following standard procedure to eligible WIC participants. Instructs clients on using the WIC EBT card. Obtains client signature for EBT card issuance letter. Records the necessary information on VOC/ID cards and EBT card log. Reviews all data for accuracy and completeness. Immediately reports any discrepancies to the clinic Supervisor. Informs participants when certification expires and what is required for recertification. Keeps security/separation and inventory of VOC/ID and WIC EBT cards. Loads benefits into WIC EBT account for household.
Collects data for the end-of-day and end-of- month reports as assigned and submits same to the supervisor on a timely basis. Assists with inventories of WIC formula, equipment, and educational resources. Submits reports within the required timeframe.
Assists the supervisor with training of staff. Attends staff meetings and trainings as required. Travels to other clinic sites to provide services to WIC participants as needed. Participates in outreach efforts. Refers vendor queries to the vendor manager and client concerns to the supervisor. Assist with completion of client contact reports from the vendor manager.
Offers all eligible participants at certification/recertification or at change of address the option to complete a National Voter Registration Act Preference Form/Application and processes the information according to the Florida voter registration guidelines and established agency policies. Receives infants and child immunization records and sends copies to Family Health Services in accordance with agency protocol.
Completes and submits time sheets, EARS, and travel correctly, timely and according to established division and agency guidelines. Reads, understands and implements directives assigned.
Greets prospective WIC participants, answers telephones promptly and courteously. Schedules appointments and makes appropriate health and social services referrals. Accurately obtains income, demographic and other participant information necessary to determine WIC program eligibility and advises WIC participants of their rights and obligations according to federal guidelines. Utilizing an electronic data system accurately enters required participant data and obtains signatures. Reviews “How WIC Works” with each new participant.
Performs other related duties as assigned

Requirements

• Knowledge of the current science and practice of food and nutrition, dietetics or food service.
• Knowledge of normal nutrition principles and food needs throughout the life cycle.
• Knowledge of meal planning, food budgeting and purchasing.
• Ability to provide nutrition education to others in groups or individual instruction.
• Ability to determine nutritional needs and develop nutrition education plans for individuals who are not at medical high nutritional risk.
• Ability to educate individuals and families about food and nutritional needs.
• Ability to participate in education or in-service training programs through teaching classes, demonstrating food practices, giving talks, and developing or selecting educational materials.
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to maintain records, communicate, maintain effective working relations and good rapport.
• Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 30 pounds.
• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in nutritional science, community nutrition, clinical nutrition, dietetics, or public health nutrition, per WIC Federal Regulation, CFR, Title 7, Part 246 and DHM 150-24, 8/25; Page 6-3 (Forida WIC Manual)
• Must have a valid FL Driver’s License.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in dietetics and nutrition.
• Experience using the WIC FL-Wise System.

Responsibilities

• Completes Nutrition Assessment for all low and high-risk WIC clients to provide client-centered nutrition services.
• Documents Nutrition Care Plan and identified nutrition risks using a standardized process.
• Provides VENA based nutrition assessment and counseling utilizing appropriate educational materials.
• Assesses clients readiness to change and helps clients choose appropriate goal(s).
• Makes referrals for appropriate health and social services.
• Establishes appropriate number of subsequent individual nutrition education contacts.
• Evaluates and revises nutrition care plan as needed.
• Attends inservice on the Nutrition Education Kit and provides interactive nutrition education contacts to low risk participants.
• Inputs the nutrition service code in the data system.
• Maintains documentation of participant goal setting.
• Promotes breastfeeding education.
• Assists with and participates in QI/QA activities to support the success of WIC.
• Obtains accurate data on height and weight measurements on participants.
• Performs hematocrit/hemoglobin testing and records results electronically.
• Cleans equipment and area where blood work is done daily.
• Maintains “universal precautions” when completing HST duties.
• Follows established guidelines and standards for safety in handling equipment, biological specimens and waste products to prevent exposure to blood borne pathogens.
• Accurately completes the lab/anthro screens in the electronic data system.
• Maintains and inventories all medical supplies.
• Disburses WIC EBT and VOC/ID cards following standard procedure to eligible WIC participants.
• Instructs clients on using the WIC EBT card.
• Obtains client signature for EBT card issuance letter.
• Records the necessary information on VOC/ID cards and EBT card log.
• Reviews all data for accuracy and completeness.
• Immediately reports any discrepancies to the clinic Supervisor.
• Informs participants when certification expires and what is required for recertification.
• Keeps security/separation and inventory of VOC/ID and WIC EBT cards.
• Loads benefits into WIC EBT account for household.
• Collects data for the end-of-day and end-of- month reports as assigned and submits same to the supervisor on a timely basis.
• Assists with inventories of WIC formula, equipment, and educational resources.
• Submits reports within the required timeframe.
• Assists the supervisor with training of staff.
• Attends staff meetings and trainings as required.
• Travels to other clinic sites to provide services to WIC participants as needed.
• Participates in outreach efforts.
• Refers vendor queries to the vendor manager and client concerns to the supervisor.
• Assists with completion of client contact reports from the vendor manager.
• Offers all eligible participants at certification/recertification or at change of address the option to complete a National Voter Registration Act Preference Form/Application and processes the information according to the Florida voter registration guidelines and established agency policies.
• Receives infants and child immunization records and sends copies to Family Health Services in accordance with agency protocol.
• Completes and submits time sheets, EARS, and travel correctly, timely and according to established division and agency guidelines.
• Reads, understands and implements directives assigned.
• Greets prospective WIC participants, answers telephones promptly and courteously.
• Schedules appointments and makes appropriate health and social services referrals.
• Accurately obtains income, demographic and other participant information necessary to determine WIC program eligibility and advises WIC participants of their rights and obligations according to federal guidelines.
• Utilizing an electronic data system accurately enters required participant data and obtains signatures.
• Reviews “How WIC Works” with each new participant.
• Performs other related duties as assigned

Benefits

• Annual and Sick Leave benefits
• Nine paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year
• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• State of Florida Tuition Waiver Program
• Professional Development Training Opportunities

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level