NUTRITION EDUCATOR - 64043663

State of Florida

26d • Onsite

About The Position

This is a professional position in the Special Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). This position will report directly to the WIC Director. Primary duties are to provide nutrition assessment including the gathering of anthropometric and hematological data and provide nutrition and breastfeeding counseling to clients; assistance and guidance to the clerical and technical support staff of the WIC program and other providers involved in the care and on the provision of services to WIC clients. Duties also may include assisting in the development of Walton County WIC nutrition education materials for client distribution. Duties will be performed at the main clinic site or any other WIC satellite clinic. The person in this position must demonstrate good communication skills, professional ability to work as a team and independently with clients and a high degree of expertise in the educational and training processes. Will be tasked to support and promote excellent Customer Service. Compliance with all standards associated with this position is required, along with adherence to security, integrity, and confidentiality regulations, policies and procedures related to information under the direct control of this position. The incumbent in this position is responsible for the integrity and confidentiality of data sets under his/her control.
Certifies participants for WIC in accordance with federal requirements and Florida Department of Health WIC policies and guidelines. Accurately determines a nutritional/health risk for certification through individual nutrition assessments and evaluations of health data obtained. Provides appropriate WIC food packages to clients based on individually assessed information and current rules in place. Documents all utilizing the SOAP method of Problem Oriented Recording in Florida WiSE. Provides professional nutrition counseling and follow up to clients in accordance with established care plan, nutrition education and breastfeeding promotion requirements in DHM 150-24. Participates in VENA (Value Enhanced Nutrition Assessment) principles that include critical thinking, open-ended questions, readiness for change and client centered goal setting.
Provides breastfeeding support, equipment, and information. Promotes breastfeeding as the normal and preferred method of infant feeding in WIC clinics, support groups, breastfeeding classes and other locations as necessary. Provides basic breastfeeding information and assists in teaching clients the use of breastfeeding equipment, i.e... electric and manual pumps, kits. Will participate with monthly WIC and community breastfeeding classes and promotion; to include WIC staff and WIC peer counselors as time is allotted to help with breastfeeding participation, breastfeeding education and breastfeeding rates for Walton County. Will actively lead and participate in monthly inventories regarding breast pumps and kits.
Will provide a structured interaction between the professional and client which assists client to identify concerns or needs by addressing social, emotional, behavioral and environmental issues that affect the client’s well-being. Responsible for the receipt of services, facilitating care and minimizing other obstacles to full participation in prenatal, breastfeeding, child and infant care. Documents all activities appropriately in the FL WiSE System and codes all services accurately into the FL WiSE System adhering to DHM 150-24 and WIC Standards and Guidelines.
Responsible to work in a laboratory to obtain anthropometric and hematological data. Performs and records accurate measurements (heights/lengths and weights) as needed for certification or follow-up. Uses CDC approved equipment correctly. Will obtain hemoglobin’s as needed (Either invasive or non-invasive where appropriate). Check client’s immunization status in FL Shots and accurately inputs client information into the FL WiSE system. Provides nutrition assessment and appropriate nutrition counseling to high-risk clients and low risk clients.
Participates in monitoring QI/QA activities to assure compliance with program guidelines, objectives and regulations. Acts as a role-model to co-workers and other DOH staff. Will help with training of all new CPA staff and breastfeeding staff upon hire for preparation of counseling duties. Completes all required reports, documentation requirements, requests and assignments correctly and within needed time frames. Functions as a team leader for other positions in the absence of WIC Director. Will be cross trained and expected to foster teamwork and assist staff when clinic staffing is short. Attends meetings and participates in Walton CHD committees as needed. Performs other duties and WIC Program reports as assigned by WIC Director.
Employee is responsible for processing invoices for exempt infant formula and WIC-eligible nutritional’s to standards of which comply with Section 215.422, Florida Statutes and Chapter 69I-24, Florida Administrative Code. Employee will actively lead and participate in the organization, monitoring and ordering of monthly exempt infant formula and WIC-eligible nutritional’s. Will actively lead and participate in the monthly inventories and reports associated with exempt infant formula and WIC-eligible nutritional’s.
This position is required to report to all assigned work locations (DeFuniak Springs, Santa Rosa (Coastal Branch) and Paxton) per supervisor unless telework agreements is set in place per Policy & Procedure DOHP 60-24-21.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Nutritional Science, Community Nutrition, Clinical Nutrition, Dietetics, Public Health Nutrition, Food Services and Nutrition, or Home Economics with an emphasis in Nutrition.
• More advanced organizational skills to organize projects and coordination of WIC services.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to develop priorities for effective performance of duties, including re-prioritization in response to changes in circumstances.
• Ability to devise effective solutions to situations encountered based on the general goals and objectives of the function.
• Ability to compile, interpret and report information.
• Ability to take accurate height/length and weight measurements as well as hemoglobin tests for client services.
• Knowledge of nutritional needs of pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women; infants and children under the age of 5.
• Basic computer skills; operate within FL WiSE for daily clinic function.
• Ability to work with a variety of ethnic backgrounds.
• Ability to counsel clients individually as well as conduct group education classes.
• Provide excellent customer service to all internal and external customers.
• Effectively communicate basic or non-technical information to coworkers and others.
• Ability to lift and maneuver lab equipment, supplies and WIC infant formula/nutritional’s up to twenty-five pounds in weight.
• Valid Driver’s License.

Nice To Haves

• 1-3 years WIC or Clinical experience
• CPR certification within 6 months of hire
• Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) course completion within two years of hire
• Bilingual skills -English and Spanish

Responsibilities

• Provide nutrition assessment including the gathering of anthropometric and hematological data.
• Provide nutrition and breastfeeding counseling to clients.
• Provide assistance and guidance to clerical and technical support staff of the WIC program and other providers.
• Assist in the development of Walton County WIC nutrition education materials for client distribution.
• Certify participants for WIC in accordance with federal requirements and Florida Department of Health WIC policies and guidelines.
• Determine nutritional/health risk for certification through individual nutrition assessments and evaluations of health data.
• Provide appropriate WIC food packages to clients based on individually assessed information and current rules.
• Document all utilizing the SOAP method of Problem Oriented Recording in Florida WiSE.
• Provide professional nutrition counseling and follow up to clients in accordance with established care plan, nutrition education and breastfeeding promotion requirements.
• Participate in VENA (Value Enhanced Nutrition Assessment) principles.
• Provide breastfeeding support, equipment, and information.
• Promote breastfeeding as the normal and preferred method of infant feeding.
• Provide basic breastfeeding information and assist in teaching clients the use of breastfeeding equipment.
• Participate in monthly WIC and community breastfeeding classes and promotion.
• Lead and participate in monthly inventories regarding breast pumps and kits.
• Provide a structured interaction between the professional and client which assists client to identify concerns or needs by addressing social, emotional, behavioral and environmental issues that affect the client’s well-being.
• Responsible for the receipt of services, facilitating care and minimizing other obstacles to full participation in prenatal, breastfeeding, child and infant care.
• Document all activities appropriately in the FL WiSE System and codes all services accurately into the FL WiSE System.
• Work in a laboratory to obtain anthropometric and hematological data.
• Perform and record accurate measurements (heights/lengths and weights) as needed for certification or follow-up.
• Use CDC approved equipment correctly.
• Obtain hemoglobin’s as needed.
• Check client’s immunization status in FL Shots and accurately input client information into the FL WiSE system.
• Provide nutrition assessment and appropriate nutrition counseling to high-risk clients and low risk clients.
• Participate in monitoring QI/QA activities to assure compliance with program guidelines, objectives and regulations.
• Act as a role-model to co-workers and other DOH staff.
• Help with training of all new CPA staff and breastfeeding staff upon hire for preparation of counseling duties.
• Complete all required reports, documentation requirements, requests and assignments correctly and within needed time frames.
• Function as a team leader for other positions in the absence of WIC Director.
• Be cross trained and expected to foster teamwork and assist staff when clinic staffing is short.
• Attend meetings and participate in Walton CHD committees as needed.
• Perform other duties and WIC Program reports as assigned by WIC Director.
• Process invoices for exempt infant formula and WIC-eligible nutritional’s to standards of which comply with Section 215.422, Florida Statutes and Chapter 69I-24, Florida Administrative Code.
• Lead and participate in the organization, monitoring and ordering of monthly exempt infant formula and WIC-eligible nutritional’s.
• Lead and participate in the monthly inventories and reports associated with exempt infant formula and WIC-eligible nutritional’s.
• Report to all assigned work locations (DeFuniak Springs, Santa Rosa (Coastal Branch) and Paxton) per supervisor unless telework agreements is set in place per Policy & Procedure DOHP 60-24-21.

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
• Tuition waivers

What This Job Offers

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