OPS NUTRITION EDUCATOR - 64945159
About The Position
The Nutrition Educator works with the Florida Department of Health’s WIC Program, certifying eligible clients and providing nutrition counseling and health-related information. The position makes referrals to programs such as breastfeeding services, Healthy Start, the Prenatal Clinic, and other social service agencies as needed. The role must always function under the direction of a licensed nutritionist. The Nutrition Educator evaluates clinical and anthropometric data and dietary histories for WIC participants who are women, infants, and children. The role reviews growth charts with clients or caretakers, completes medical and nutrition questions in FL-WiSE, assigns appropriate risk codes and food packages, follows state guidelines for approval of non-contract and exempt formula prescriptions, records notes and alerts, and schedules and completes high-risk follow-ups when required. The position provides individual nutrition counseling and group nutrition classes for pregnant and breastfeeding women, women up to six months postpartum, and caretakers of participating infants and children. It also promotes breastfeeding and ensures its benefits are discussed with prenatal clients. The work is based in Callahan and other Nassau County locations as needed, and the employee must be willing to provide coverage at all Nassau WIC sites. Incumbents may be required to perform emergency duty before, during, or beyond normal work hours or days.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s or master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Nutrition Sciences, Community Nutrition, Clinical Nutrition, Dietetics, or Public Health Nutrition.
- Willingness to provide coverage at all Nassau WIC sites.
- Ability to bend, squat, or stand for prolonged periods and lift items up to 35 pounds.
- Valid driver’s license.
- Excellent time-management, organizational, and multitasking skills.
- Ability to work effectively with a health care team and maintain effective working relationships.
- Ability to perform procedures common to the position and recognize areas of one’s practice needing improvement.
- Ability to teach other staff the theory and practice of their position.
- Knowledge of effective verbal and written communication and ability to apply it.
- Knowledge of clinical practices, policies, and procedures and ability to apply them.
- Computer knowledge, including ability to use patient electronic records.
- Leadership skills and ability to recognize situations requiring intervention to improve clinical efficiency or patient care.
- Ability to record clear, understandable, and legally defensible accounts of care or services provided.
- Ability to teach clients about specific health issues, wellness promotion, health maintenance, and disease prevention.
- Knowledge of nutrition and breastfeeding, individual counseling skills, and ability to provide group education.
- Ability to learn and communicate effectively in English, orally and in writing.
Nice To Haves
- Previous or current employment with WIC.
- Proficiency in FL-WiSE.
- Bilingual in Spanish and English.
Responsibilities
- Certify eligible clients into the WIC Program and provide nutrition counseling and appropriate health-related information.
- Refer clients to breastfeeding programs, Healthy Start, the Prenatal Clinic, and other social service agencies as needed.
- Evaluate clinical and anthropometric data and dietary histories of WIC participants.
- Review growth charts with clients or caretakers; complete medical and nutrition questions in FL-WiSE; and assign risk codes and food packages.
- Follow state guidelines for approving prescriptions for non-contract and exempt formulas.
- Place appropriate notes and alerts and schedule and complete high-risk follow-ups when required.
- Provide individual nutrition counseling and teach group nutrition classes to pregnant women, breastfeeding women, women up to six months postpartum, and caretakers of participating infants and children.
- Promote breastfeeding to WIC clients and discuss its benefits with prenatal clients.
- Function under the direction of a licensed nutritionist.
- Provide coverage at all Nassau WIC sites as needed.
- Perform emergency duty before, during, and/or beyond normal work hours or days when required.
Benefits
- State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan (mandatory).
- Participation in state group insurance upon meeting eligibility requirements.
- Workers’ Compensation (mandatory, if needed).
- Reemployment Assistance (Unemployment Compensation) (mandatory, if needed).
- Deferred Compensation (voluntary).
- Employee Assistance Program (voluntary).
