Nutritional Educator #1656 - Bilingual - WIC - Health & Social Services Division

Hamilton County•Chattanooga, TN

16d•Onsite

About The Position

Under general supervision, this position certifies eligibility, provides nutritional education, completes care plans, provides breastfeeding promotion, provides nutrition counseling, and conducts community outreach to participants of the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program and Community Nutrition Program. The role emphasizes good nutrition and healthy eating habits to improve or maintain overall health. This is a bilingual position requiring fluency in both English and Spanish. Employees are expected to be accessible and respond to public health emergencies, with potential modifications to work hours during such events.

Requirements

Must be fluent in both English and Spanish.
Bachelor's Degree in Nutrition and a valid driver’s license.
OR Bachelor’s Degree in a Nutrition related field with a minimum of six (6) semester-hours of coursework in nutrition, three (3) semester hours in human anatomy or physiology, and three (3) semester-hours in education, psychology, or counseling. A valid driver’s license is required.
Knowledge of federal, state and county laws, rules, regulations, and guidelines related to the provision of WIC services.
Knowledge of the nutritional needs of WIC participants.
Knowledge of computer hardware, software, and peripherals.
Knowledge of intake assessment methods and procedures.
Knowledge of educational/instruction methods best suited to population served.
Skill assessing patients for nutritional eligibility.
Skill developing, implementing, and motivating patients regarding nutritional needs.
Skill instructing and educating low-income high-risk individuals on personal or family nutritional needs.
Skill accurately documenting and maintaining patient records.
Skill utilizing computerized database systems for tracking and record keeping.
Skill establishing rapport with low-income high-risk populations.
Skill establishing and maintaining effecting working relationships.
Skill effectively communicating in both oral and written form.
Must complete the HC Defensive Driving course and/or an Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC) prior to operating a County-owned vehicle.
Must pass an extensive criminal background check that includes fingerprinting.
Extensive reference checks may also be required.

Nice To Haves

Experience with the electronic TNWIC system.

Responsibilities

Assesses the nutritional status and dietary practices of WIC participants.
Adheres to WIC policy and procedure for assessing and documenting individual nutritional and health risks.
Uses the electronic TNWIC system, and promotes maintenance and use of growth charts in electronic records.
Weighs and measures WIC program participants; checks hemoglobin/hematocrit of WIC program participants at set intervals according to program guidelines; and assesses adequacy of dietary intake according to WIC standard.
Develops an appropriate individualized nutrition care plan for both routine and high-risk participants that is clear and concise for each client to meet his or her needs and assists the client with choosing appropriate nutrition intervention based on findings.
Determines participant eligibility for therapeutic products to comply with program guidelines; consults with healthcare providers to determine nutrition related needs of the client as necessary.
Prepares and presents nutrition lessons to program participants; conducts food demonstrations using WIC-adapted recipes; presents learning objectives and uses visual aids and group process techniques providing for a positive learning experience; evaluates presentations for efficacy.
Conducts program promotion and community outreach as well as educational presentations.
Performs other duties as assigned.