SENIOR PUBLIC HEALTH NUTRITIONIST - 64005787

State of Florida • Lakeland, FL

27d • $48,000 - $51,000

About The Position

Thank you for your interest in career opportunities with the Florida Department of Health in Polk County. If you are looking to establish a successful career in Public Health, you have come to the right place. Many of our innovative and successful health programs are recognized throughout Florida. We hope you decide to join our team! Applicants will be contacted directly if selected for an interview.

Your Specific Responsibilities:
The incumbent is part of a global public health organization and is expected to support the Florida Department of Health in Polk 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.

This is a responsible public health nutrition position providing services to clients or the community at any site or location in the geographic area covered by the Polk/Hardee WIC Program.
WIC Program Duties:

Completes the medical history, nutrition history, and breastfeeding assessment for WIC clients.
Develops, monitors, evaluates, and revises nutrition care plans for high risk, medially high risk and low risk WIC clients and provides/documents nutrition and breastfeeding counseling according to all local, state and federal guidelines.
Certifies eligible clients for participation in the WIC program by determining and assigning correct nutrition risk per program policies.
Assigns/updates client food prescriptions according to program regulations
Provides nutrition programs and outreach to health care professionals and members of the community.
Completes inventories as assigned.
Provides classes and group nutrition education per class lesson plans with appropriate documentation.

Assists the Public Health Nutritionist Supervisor in the supervision of the clinic and clinic staff. Takes and resolves client complaints, ensuring customer satisfaction as much as possible.
Conducts quality improvement (QI) monitoring and reporting as directed by supervisor. Assists the Public Health Nutritionist Supervisor in presenting results to subordinate staff and in making changes in clinic policies/procedures as appropriate based on QI findings.

Completes administrative forms such as EARs, time sheets, and travel per department policies and required deadlines.
Attends and participates in staff meetings, in-service trainings, and other staff development activities.
Assist with outreach activities, health fairs and other community activities as needed.
Completes all mandatory trainings within required time frames.
Complies with all Department of Health and WIC security and confidentiality rules and regulations.

Alternate Information Custodian for the WIC/Nutrition Division. Serves as the Alternate Information Custodian of assigned Information Sets; maintain the confidentiality of the information in accordance with state and federal statutes, rules, regulations and Department of Health Information Security Policies, Protocols and Procedures, in accordance with Protocol: Security – 3, V, Sec 1-3.

This position may serve clients that speak only Spanish, Creole, or other languages. It may require performance of interpreter duties, if bilingual, or implementation of the Department’s Limited English Proficiency Plan. Performs other duties as required, including performance of additional interpreter duties, consistent with skill level, and as needed.
Performs other assigned duties as requested by supervisor.

Requirements

• Knowledge of the science and current practice of nutrition or dietetics.
• Knowledge of the concepts and theories of nutrition or dietetics as it relates to growth, development, health, or disease.
• Knowledge of nutritional and dietary assessment techniques.
• Knowledge of the methods of compiling, organizing and analyzing data.
• Ability to develop educational/training plans and supporting materials.
• Ability to use various communication channels to provide education/training.
• Ability to analyze and interpret anthropometric, biochemical, clinical and dietary data.
• Ability to interview and counsel patients.
• Ability to plan, organize and evaluate a nutrition program or project.
• Ability to supervise people.
• Ability to determine work priorities, assign work, and ensure proper completion of work assignments.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Bachelor's degree (or master’s degree or higher) from an accredited college or university with the major course of study in public health nutrition, nutrition, dietetics, food and nutrition, or food service management. As required by the Florida state WIC program
• Dietitians & Nutritionists, Chapter 468, Part X.
• Valid Florida Driver’s License or the ability to obtain one within 30 days of employment.

Responsibilities

• Completes the medical history, nutrition history, and breastfeeding assessment for WIC clients.
• Develops, monitors, evaluates, and revises nutrition care plans for high risk, medially high risk and low risk WIC clients and provides/documents nutrition and breastfeeding counseling according to all local, state and federal guidelines.
• Certifies eligible clients for participation in the WIC program by determining and assigning correct nutrition risk per program policies.
• Assigns/updates client food prescriptions according to program regulations
• Provides nutrition programs and outreach to health care professionals and members of the community.
• Completes inventories as assigned.
• Provides classes and group nutrition education per class lesson plans with appropriate documentation.
• Assists the Public Health Nutritionist Supervisor in the supervision of the clinic and clinic staff.
• Takes and resolves client complaints, ensuring customer satisfaction as much as possible.
• Conducts quality improvement (QI) monitoring and reporting as directed by supervisor.
• Assists the Public Health Nutritionist Supervisor in presenting results to subordinate staff and in making changes in clinic policies/procedures as appropriate based on QI findings.
• Completes administrative forms such as EARs, time sheets, and travel per department policies and required deadlines.
• Attends and participates in staff meetings, in-service trainings, and other staff development activities.
• Assist with outreach activities, health fairs and other community activities as needed.
• Completes all mandatory trainings within required time frames.
• Complies with all Department of Health and WIC security and confidentiality rules and regulations.
• Alternate Information Custodian for the WIC/Nutrition Division.
• Serves as the Alternate Information Custodian of assigned Information Sets; maintain the confidentiality of the information in accordance with state and federal statutes, rules, regulations and Department of Health Information Security Policies, Protocols and Procedures, in accordance with Protocol: Security – 3, V, Sec 1-3.
• Performs other duties as required, including performance of additional interpreter duties, consistent with skill level, and as needed.
• Performs other assigned duties as requested by supervisor.

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
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees