Nutritionist II - Charleston County
Under the direct supervision of the Nutritionist III Supervisor or the Site Supervisor, performs WIC certifications, breastfeeding promotion and support, individual low risk nutrition education and health promotion, and group nutrition education. Delivers services to clients and families in clinics, schools, hospitals or office settings. Provides assistance and education to participants/families on contract and List I Special Formulas. Provides technical assistance and consultation to staff as part of the multidisciplinary team delivering care to clients.
- Assessment and Certification: Completes WIC certifications and mid-certifications including health history, nutrition assessment, anthropometrics, immunization screening, hemoglobin or hematocrit testing, evaluation of risk status, prescription of WIC food package, documentation, and referrals following program standards and protocols. Provides participants with information about the WIC program and how to redeem benefits. Schedules upcoming WIC appointments. Performs hemoglobin controls as needed in accordance with CLIA and Agency standards.
- Nutrition Education: Provides participant centered nutrition education, counseling, and follow-up for participants. Develops mutual nutrition and physical activity goals with client during certification and mid-certification. Refers clients to web-based nutrition education. Plans, conducts, and evaluates group nutrition education classes using the facilitated learning process. Documents nutrition education contacts.
- Food Packages, Special Formulas, and Reports: Prescribes, updates, and explains food packages. Tailors’ formula packages for partially breastfeeding infants. Documents changes to the WIC food packages in SCWIC. Issues benefits during certifications, mid-certifications, nutrition education encounters and as needed from SCWIC reports. Approves List I Formulas. Provides assistance to families with infants on contract and List I formulas including education, dispensing, and monitoring as assigned. Refers participants on List II and metabolic formulas to the registered dietitian according to WIC guidelines. Pulls and completes reports in SCWIC.
- Breastfeeding Promotion and Support: Provides breastfeeding promotion and support to pregnant and breastfeeding women. Screens and refers pregnant and breastfeeding women and infants to the breastfeeding staff according to the Referral Guidelines. Issues and monitors breast pumps and breastfeeding supplies.
- Outreach: Provides consultation and technical assistance to other members of the multi-disciplinary health care team and community in areas related to normal nutrition, including health promotion and disease prevention. Participates as a member of the multi-disciplinary WIC team in clinic/class scheduling, caseload monitoring, and outreach. Works with other program staff and disciplines to enhance integration and quality of service.
- Professional Development and Training: Updates professional skills and knowledge to assure delivery of quality nutrition services. Participates in continuing education opportunities. Completes and maintains certification(s) required for the position. Participates in continuing education, WIC trainings, region in-service programs, and agency required trainings to enhance job-related knowledge and skills. Completes and maintains Certified Lactation Consultant credential if required for the job duties. Prepares and submits reports and documents as required. Participates in Disaster Preparedness and Response as indicated. Maintains adequate training for Disaster Response Role. Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum and Additional Requirements
State Minimum Requirements: A bachelor's degree in home economics, home economics education, human ecology, family and child development, dietetics, or foods and nutrition or institutional management.
Institutions of Higher Learning must be recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Agency Additional Requirements: 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.
Knowledge of the principles and practices of normal nutrition related to the maternal, infant, and child population. Must have or be willing to be trained in the specialized technical skills required to collect screening information and anthropometric measurements. Able to provide nutrition education, health promotion, and disease prevention education to clients. Has the ability to work effectively with people from a variety of socioeconomic, racial, ethnic and educational backgrounds. This position requires practical knowledge of the principles of adult learning. Has the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with members of public. Must have good oral and written communication skills, good interpersonal skills, and committed to providing excellent customer service.
The employee must have a valid SC Driver’s License and be willing to use their personal car to travel to clinic sites in the region. The standard work week is 37.5 hours and may require some flexibility to meet the needs of clients and staff health clinics, including evening and weekends. Must be able to lift 30 pounds. The employee must participate in preparation and response to emergencies/disasters as required by the supervisor, region public health director and/or agency director.
Preferred Qualifications
Nutrition experience is preferred but not required. Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.