WIC Nutritionist

Walworth County Elkhorn, WI Full-time Food Service

Posted on September 15, 2023

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An Equal Opportunity Employer

Position Summary

This position is responsible for carrying out the provision of nutrition component under the WIC grant to participants who meet financial guidelines in low to moderate income levels and provisions of any additional nutritional and prevention services required under Public Health policies.

SCHEDULE

Division: Public Health

Days: Monday - Friday

Work Hours: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

Hours Per Shift: 8

Shifts Per Pay Period: 10

Position FTE: 1.00

Applications are being accepted from current County employees as well as members of the public.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

This job description reflects management's assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.

Complete nutritional assessments, individualized counseling, education and referral for specialized services for WIC consumers. Coordinate continuity of care for individuals enrolled in WIC or other SNAP-ED programs. Utilize motivational interviewing to optimize consumer outcome. Initiate referrals to appropriate health care and social service providers as needed.

Determine appropriate benefits for consumer, issue benefits, educate consumer on benefits and benefit utilization, and determine appropriate nutrition education needs.

Provide individualized consumer education using best clinical practices pertaining to infant and child feeding, breastfeeding, and healthy growth and development.

Perform health screening and assessment duties including but not limited to capillary blood collection and analysis for hemoglobin and lead, height, weight, and body mass index analysis.

Serve as vendor contact for all vendor related activities in the program and ensure vendor compliance with federal WIC program requirements.

Ensure compliance with all program goals and requirements for state and federal regulations. Provide comprehensive documentation and prepare and maintain records and reports in accordance with agency policies and State requirements. Conduct regular peer review chart audits.

Provide nutritional counseling within scope of practice for consumers referred to public health from HHS programs.

Design and implement educational materials, programs and services with the goal of increasing the participant’s ability to understand and meet nutritional needs during and after the program, with emphasis on disease prevention and wellness.

Deliver targeted, culturally appropriate information to help individuals and groups understand health promotion and disease prevention information.

Conduct regular community outreach and engagement activities including but not limited to WIC promotion, Fit Families, Farmers Markets and cooking demos.

Act as Breastfeeding Coordinator with support from WIC Director. Provide education services to consumers related to breastfeeding, including breast pump education. Ensure WIC clinics provide an appropriate breastfeeding-friendly environment. Maintain a list of breastfeeding trainings and conferences. Obtain at least 50 hours of continuing education every 5 years per identified training needs.

Coordinate with community resources to develop, establish, and run prevention programs targeting healthy beginnings including classes on breastfeeding, maternal child health, child nutrition, or chronic disease prevention relating to weight and activity.

Act as a liaison and representative on community committees and coalitions, sharing resources and encouraging collaboration to meet common goals that support the Department’s values, Community Health Improvement Plan and the Wisconsin Health Improvement Plan.

Respond to inquiries from the general public and provide technical assistance and consultation to community agencies and health care providers regarding public health programs, WIC, SNAP-Ed and prevention strategies.

Respond to Public Health emergencies, as needed, including outside regular office hours.

Serve as a resource and advocate for health and health literacy in the county and promote healthcare equity, quality and accessibility for all including vulnerable populations.

Demonstrate a commitment to county safety and risk management efforts.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

Bachelor's degree in Nutrition or Dietetics, or Master’s degree in Nutrition or Public Health Nutrition required. Proven experience in ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals as well as ability to compute rate, ratio and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs. Knowledge of Trauma Informed Care principles is essential.

Interactions and Communications

Provides specialized information and/or recommendations to others regarding an area of expertise. Bilingual in Spanish is preferred.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Valid Wisconsin driver’s license.
Proof of minimum liability insurance coverage.
Registered Dietitian (RD) or Dietetic Technician, Registered (DTR) by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, preferred but not required.
Certified Dietitian (CD) with the state of Wisconsin or certification within 6 months of hire, if applicable.
CPR certification within one month of hire
National Incident Management System (NIMS) – Incident Command System (ICS) 100 &
200 within three (3) months of employment.
WIC Breastfeeding Curriculum completed within 12 months of hire.

Decision Making

This position has authority to make decisions that are consistent with policies and precedents; supervision and managerial direction is available as requested. These decisions directly impact performance in the job and/or the work unit within the department and information is provided with additional research and observations which contributes to the decision making process.

Thinking and Problem Solving

In relation to established procedures, protocols and policies of the County, challenges in this position tend to be diverse, but are typically covered by precedent or established practice.

Tools & Equipment Used

Telephone Copy Machine

Calculator Personal Computer/Printer

FAX Machine

WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and color vision.

Selection Process

TO INCLUDE:
Formal Walworth County Electronic Application
Education & Experience Review
Verification of Registered Dietitian and Certified Dietitian, or Dietetic Technician, Registered registration, if applicable

Verification of Driver's License
Oral Department Interview
Reference Check
Background Check
Post-offer Physical Examination

Drug Screen

Other job related tests may be required.

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