Nutritionist

Clay County Health Center • full_time • Liberty, MO, US • 5d ago

Job Description

Duties and other assigned tasks and responsibilities are designed to meet CCPHC’s mission of delivering the essential public health services of prevention, promotion and protection to the communities of Clay County, as well as a response to the CCPHC Strategic Plan. The plan outlines our desired future and answers the questions where we want to be in the future and how do we get there. The plan is available on the Intranet, and goals assigned to staff will be linked in annual employee performance goals. 

SUMMARY

The WIC Nutritionist provides accurate nutrition assessments, assigns risk factors, and provides appropriate nutrition and breastfeeding education to all participants according to the state WIC Program policies and procedures.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Include the following. (Other duties may be assigned.)

Coordinates all nutrition and breastfeeding services provided to participants
Provides breastfeeding education and support to all participants; completes a breastfeeding assessment; provide proper counseling and support in a manner that is consistent with WIC regulations, policies and initiatives
Provides participant-centered nutrition education and counseling for high-risk participants, completes the high-risk care plan and documents the nutrition education contact
Participates in conducting studies and surveys
Provides recommendations for improvement of nutrition education materials used in the WIC program
Obtains and documents demographic information, height/length, weight measurements, hemoglobin/hematocrit values, oral and nutrition assessments and other necessary medical and/or health information to certify WIC participants

Determines health, medical and nutrition eligibility by assigning risk factors and explaining the certifying risk factors to the participant
Recommends appropriate supplemental foods, exempt formulas and WIC eligible medical foods in accordance with policies and procedures
Provides relevant, culturally appropriate, health/nutrition information and referral services to participants
Processes client vouchers
May act as the Breastfeeding Coordinator if assigned by the local WIC provider
Proactively provides feedback for improvements that improve quality, efficiency, cost savings, productivity, systems, and/or procedures
Maintains strict confidentiality; adheres to all HIPAA guidelines/regulations
Reports for special assigned duties during a public health emergency, if applicable

PUBLIC HEALTH CORE COMPETENCIES

Analytical/Assessment Skills

Contributes to assessments of community health status and factors influencing health in a community
Uses information technology in accessing, collecting, analyzing, using, maintaining, and disseminating data and information
Identifies quantitative and qualitative data and information that can be used for assessing the health of a community
Applies ethical principles in accessing, collecting, analyzing, using, maintaining, and disseminating data and information

Policy Development/Program Planning Skills

Describes implications of policies, programs, and services
Gathers information that can inform options for policies, programs, and services Implements policies, programs, and services

Applies strategies for continuous quality improvement
Describes how public health informatics is used in developing, implementing, evaluating, and improving policies, programs, and services

Communication Skills

Facilitates communication among individuals, groups, and organizations
Solicits input from individuals and organizations for improving the health of a community
Conveys data and information to professionals and the public using a variety of approaches
Suggests approaches for disseminating public health data and information

Cultural Competency Skills

Addresses the diversity of individuals and populations when implementing policies, programs, and services that affect the health of a community
Describes the ways diversity may influence policies, programs, services, and the health of a community
Describes the effects of policies, programs, and services on different populations in a community

Community Dimensions of Practice Skills

Recognizes relationships that are affecting health in a community
Collaborates with community partners to improve health in a community
Engages community members to improve health in a community
Describes the programs and services provided by governmental and non-governmental organizations to improve the health of a community

Public Health Sciences Skills

Describes the scientific foundation of the field of public health
Describes how public health sciences are used in the delivery of the 10 Essential Public Health Services
Describes evidence used in developing, implementing, evaluating, and improving policies, programs, and services
Retrieves evidence from print and electronic sources to support decision making

Financial Planning and Management Skills

Describes the structures, functions, and authorizations of governmental public health programs and organizations
Adheres to organizational policies and procedures
Contributes to development of program budgets and provides information for funding proposals
Uses evaluation results to improve program and organizational performance
Motivates colleagues for the purpose of achieving program and organizational goals
Uses performance management systems for program and organizational improvement

Leadership and Systems Thinking Skills

Incorporates ethical standards of practice into all interactions with individuals, organizations, and communities
Describes public health as part of a larger inter-related system of organizations that influence the health of populations at local, national, and global levels
Describes ways to improve individual and program performance
Participates in professional development opportunities

QUALIFICATIONS

A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited four-year college or university in public health nutrition, dietetics, nutrition, food science, home economics or closely related field; including or supplemented by at least 15 semester hours in foods and nutrition including one or more courses in diet therapy and community nutrition; or completion of an undergraduate curriculum approved by the American Dietetic Association is required. Registration or current eligibility for registration by the Commission on Dietetic Registration may be accepted in lieu of other specified qualifications.
Two years of experience is preferred
Excellent communication and computer skills are required
A current driver’s license and auto insurance are required
Must have or be able to obtain professional liability insurance and successfully complete state required training within the time designated by state WIC office and successfully complete any mandatory re-training

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 frequently required to sit, stand, walk, talk, hear and use hands to perform office work and provide services
The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl
The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus

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
While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be occasionally exposed to bloodborne pathogens and other hazardous materials