OPS NUTRITION EDUCATOR - 64959309

State of Florida•Sanford, FL

11d•Onsite

About The Position

The incumbent of this position functions as the OPS Nutrition Educator in the Casselberry location of the DOH-Seminole WIC Program and reports directly to the Senior Public Health Nutritionist Supervisor. Responsibilities include but are not limited to certifying eligible clients into the WIC Program, providing nutrition counseling and appropriate health-related information to clients. Referrals to other programs which may include Breastfeeding, Healthy Start, Prenatal Clinic and any other social service agencies as needed. This individual may interact with Public Health Nutrition Program Director, Sr. Public Health Nutritionist, Staff Assistants (Clerical Supervisors), and other WIC staff nutritionists, clerical and breastfeeding staff and occasionally the Executive Director of Nursing. This position must always function under the direction of a licensed nutritionist. Evaluates the clinical and anthropometric data and dietary histories of women, infants and children who participate in the WIC Program. Reviews growth charts with client / caretaker, completes the medical and nutrition questions in FL-WiSE, assigns appropriate risk codes and food packages. Follows state guidelines regarding approval of prescriptions for non-contract and exempt formulas. Ensures that appropriate notes/alerts are placed and that high-risk follow-ups are scheduled and completed when required. Client services are provided efficiently and with regard to the timely flow of the clinic and will be measured according to established productivity standards. Provides individual nutritional counseling and teaches group nutrition classes to pregnant women, breastfeeding women, women up to six month post partum and caretakers of infants and children participating in the WIC Program. Documents nutrition counseling in a nutrition education note and/or care plan, as appropriate, and enters at least one individualized goal. Enters service codes into FL-WiSE by the end of the day. Promotes breastfeeding to WIC clients. Ensures that the benefits of breastfeeding are discussed with prenatal clients and that they are provided with the appropriate educational materials and that this is documented in the nutrition education note or care plan. Follows protocol for scheduling prenatal clients for infant feeding class. Helps to ensure that breastfeeding moms and babies receive the needed contacts with the lactation staff and that timely follow-ups are scheduled according to protocol and individualized requests of lactation staff. Accurately completes and submits certified employee activity reports (EARs) and People First timesheets by required deadlines. Ensures that time is recorded accurately, and that EARs and timesheets match prior to submitting to supervisor. Represents DOH-Seminole WIC Program through active participation in outreach activities / community events that will promote increased WIC participation; attends at least one event per year. Trains and educates clerical staff on the quarterly Second Nutrition Education kits. Assists with training of new WIC staff, as needed. Participates in nutrition and breastfeeding education activities and completes all periodic DOH and WIC required training. Provides quarterly 2nd Nutrition Education Kits and training to Health Support Specialist staff. May be required to perform the following additional duties in order to cover shortages, as needed: Lab duties in the absence of the Health Support Technician (height/length and weight measurements as well as finger stick for Hemoglobin); entering demographic data, issuing EBT card benefits and scheduling appointments. Performs other duties, as assigned, to support the mission of the Department.

Requirements

Bachelor’s (or master’s degree) from an accredited college or university with a major in Dietetics, Clinical Nutrition, Nutritional Science, Community Nutrition, Food and Nutrition, or Public Health Nutrition
Verifiable work experience conducting nutritional assessments
Verifiable work experience providing nutrition education to clients in an individual or group setting
Verifiable experience preparing and delivering educational presentations to groups of clients, colleagues or community members
Knowledge of terminology, principles and practice of nutrition science
Knowledge of nutrition treatment techniques
Knowledge of chemistry, biochemistry, statistics, research methods, and other supporting nutrition sciences
Understanding of theories and concepts of preventative health care in a community or public health setting
Understanding of principles and techniques of effective communication
Competency in interviewing and counseling patients
Skill in utilizing time efficiently
Competency with computers, including knowledge of Windows and Microsoft Office software
Ability to perform accurate nutritional assessments
Ability to determine nutritional problems
Ability to assess client education needs
Ability to create nutrition care plans
Ability to monitor the quantity and quality of nutritional care
Ability to work independently to determine work priorities and evaluate work outcomes
Ability to work cooperatively with others to establish and maintain effective working relationships
Ability to work in a fast-paced clinic environment
Ability to multi-task and prioritize work activities
Ability to assess situations, make decisions and resolve problems
Ability to carry on professional and effective communication, verbally and in writing
Ability to analyze and interpret nutrition and other scientific related materials
Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures
Ability to learn and communicate effectively, orally and in writing, in English

Responsibilities

Certifying eligible clients into the WIC Program
Providing nutrition counseling and appropriate health-related information to clients
Referrals to other programs such as Breastfeeding, Healthy Start, Prenatal Clinic and other social service agencies
Evaluating clinical and anthropometric data and dietary histories of women, infants and children
Reviewing growth charts with client/caretaker
Completing medical and nutrition questions in FL-WiSE
Assigning appropriate risk codes and food packages
Following state guidelines regarding approval of prescriptions for non-contract and exempt formulas
Ensuring appropriate notes/alerts are placed and high-risk follow-ups are scheduled and completed
Providing individual nutritional counseling and teaching group nutrition classes
Documenting nutrition counseling in a nutrition education note and/or care plan
Entering at least one individualized goal
Entering service codes into FL-WiSE by the end of the day
Promoting breastfeeding to WIC clients
Discussing the benefits of breastfeeding with prenatal clients
Providing appropriate educational materials to prenatal clients
Following protocol for scheduling prenatal clients for infant feeding class
Ensuring breastfeeding moms and babies receive needed contacts with lactation staff
Completing and submitting certified employee activity reports (EARs) and People First timesheets
Participating in outreach activities/community events to promote WIC participation
Training and educating clerical staff on quarterly Second Nutrition Education kits
Assisting with training of new WIC staff
Participating in nutrition and breastfeeding education activities
Completing all periodic DOH and WIC required training
Providing quarterly 2nd Nutrition Education Kits and training to Health Support Specialist staff
Performing lab duties in the absence of the Health Support Technician (height/length and weight measurements, finger stick for Hemoglobin)
Entering demographic data
Issuing EBT card benefits
Scheduling appointments
Performing other duties as assigned