Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Assistant Nutritionist - 61005926

State of South Carolina • Beaufort County, SC

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Assistant Nutritionist plays a vital role within the Department of Public Health (DPH) by providing essential nutrition services to clients and families. This position contributes to the DPH mission of making a difference through service, innovation, teamwork, excellence, and equity. Under direct supervision, the Assistant Nutritionist performs WIC certification, breastfeeding promotion and support, individual low-risk nutrition education, health promotion, and group nutrition education. Services are delivered in various settings including clinics, schools, hospitals, or offices. The role also involves providing assistance and education on contract and List I Special Formulas, and offering technical assistance to the multidisciplinary team.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in nutrition, food science, dietetics, family and consumer sciences or other science related degree with emphasis on nutrition.
• An associate degree in science with relevant nutrition experience in a clinical or public health setting may substitute for the required bachelor’s degree.
• A B.S. or B.A. degree in Nutrition, Foods and Nutrition, Family and Consumer Sciences, Home Economics, Health Promotion or other approved nutrition or health-related degree.
• Associate degrees in science with two (2) years of relevant nutrition experience in a clinical, public health or institutional setting will be accepted upon HR approval.
• Relevant nutrition experience will be considered in lieu of educational requirements.
• Any equivalent combination of education and/or experience that demonstrates the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered in meeting the minimum qualifications, subject to approval by the DPH Chief Human Resources Officer, or their delegate.
• Institutions of Higher Learning must be recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

Nice To Haves

• Nutrition experience is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Perform WIC certification and midcertifications, including health history, nutrition assessment, anthropometrics, immunization screening, hemoglobin or hematocrit testing, evaluation of risk status, prescription of WIC food package, documentation, and referrals.
• Provide participants with information about the WIC program and how to redeem benefits.
• Schedule upcoming WIC appointments.
• Perform hemoglobin controls as needed.
• Provide participant-centered nutrition education, counseling, and follow-up.
• Develop mutual nutrition and physical activity goals with clients.
• Refer clients to web-based nutrition education.
• Plan, conduct, and evaluate group nutrition education classes.
• Document nutrition education contacts.
• Prescribe, update, and explain food packages.
• Tailor formula package for partially breastfeeding infants.
• Document changes to the WIC food package in SCWIC.
• Issue benefits during certification, midcertification, nutrition education encounters, and as needed from SCWIC reports.
• Approve List I Formulas.
• Provide assistance to families with infants on contract and List I formulas, including education, dispensing, and monitoring.
• Refer participants on List II and metabolic formulas to the registered dietitian.
• Pull and complete reports in SCWIC.
• Provide breastfeeding promotion and support to pregnant and breastfeeding women.
• Screen and refer pregnant and breastfeeding women and infants to breastfeeding staff.
• Issue and monitor breast pumps and breastfeeding supplies.
• Provide consultation and technical assistance to other members of the health care team and community in areas related to normal nutrition, health promotion, and disease prevention.
• Participate as a member of the multidisciplinary WIC team in clinic/class scheduling, caseload monitoring, and outreach.
• Work with other program staff and disciplines to enhance integration and quality of service.
• Update professional skills and knowledge to assure delivery of quality nutrition services.
• Participate in continuing education opportunities, WIC trainings, region in-service programs, and agency required trainings.
• Complete and maintain certification(s) required for the position.
• Complete and maintain Certified Lactation Consultant credential if required.
• Prepare and submit reports and documents as required.

Benefits

• 15 days Annual (Vacation) Leave per year
• 15 days Sick Leave per year
• 13 Paid Holidays
• Health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance for employees, spouse, and children.
• S.C. Deferred Compensation Program available
• Retirement benefit choices: State Retirement Plan (SCRS) or State Optional Retirement Program (State ORP)
• The option to work partially remote or adjusted work hours may be available after 12 months of employment for approved positions.

What This Job Offers

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