Nutrition Counselor

Lake County, IL; Waukegan (IL); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center seeks a WIC nutrition professional under supervision of the Lead/Senior Dietitian. You will assess eligibility, counsel on nutrition and breastfeeding, and document care in the I-WIC system.

You will also educate clients, identify high‑risk cases, and coordinate referrals to related health and social services. bilingual communication training is provided.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Nutrition or Dietetics required.
• One year clinical or community experience or approved dietetic internship required.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, holidays and overtime, if necessary.

Responsibilities

• Determines WIC eligibility based on dietary, anthropometric, clinical and health history data.
• Provides nutrition counseling, breastfeeding support and follow-up using Motivational Interviewing.
• Documents clinical information in the I-WIC chart according to standards.
• Develops and facilitates nutrition education/outreach for clients and community.
• Identifies high-risk clients and refers to appropriate programs and services.
• Issues WIC-related items (Medically Prescribed Formula, EBT cards, Farmers' Market Coupons).
• Trains with bilingual staff to develop basic Spanish communication skills.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Nutrition or Dietetics

Job description

Under direct supervision of the Lead Dietitian/Senior Dietitian, performs duties in a clinical setting related to the certification of clients for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infant and Children (WIC) including assessment, counseling, referral, breastfeeding promotion/support and nutrition education. Work involves direct client contact and is performed in accordance with state and local agency WIC policies and procedures.

Scheduled Hours: 37.5 hours per week

• Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday (8:30AM - 4:30PM)
• Thursday (11:00AM - 7:00PM)
• 1 rotative Saturday per month

• Determines WIC eligibility based upon dietary, anthropometric, clinical and health history data in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Utilizes Motivational Interviewing to provide nutrition counseling/breastfeeding support and follow up with WIC clients based on identified nutritional risk factors and individual needs.
• Electronically documents clinical information including nutrition care plans in clients’ I-WIC chart according to agency and state standards.
• Develops and facilitates nutrition education/outreach presentations and activities for clients and the community. Demonstrates age‑specific competency in the provision of services to clients.
• Identifies high‑risk clients and refers to appropriate credentialed professional. Refers clients to Better Birth Outcomes – Comprehensive (BBO‑C) Program, and other nutrition/health/social services as appropriate.
• Issues Medically Prescribed Formula, EBT cards and Farmers’ Market Coupons in compliance with state and local agency policies and procedures.
• Trains with bilingual staff to develop basic Spanish language skills and effectively communicate with Spanish‑speaking clients.
• Participates in continuous quality improvement activities to assess, monitor and improve clinic services.
• Participates in gathering and maintaining program statistics and completes required forms/reports (including timecard) in a timely manner.
• Assists in the orientation and training of new staff.
• Assists in maintaining clinic security by locking up and ensuring proper issuance of equipment, WIC EBT cards, Farmers’ Market coupons and other supplies.
• Participates in mandatory in‑services and drills, attends staff trainings and other continuing education appropriate for professional development and job duties.
• Performs job duties in a prioritized, organized and orderly manner to maximize clinic efficiency and productivity.
• Maintains orderliness and cleanliness of clinic and work area.
• Develops and maintains a basic knowledge of services available at LCHD.
• Develops and maintains a basic awareness of the Chronic Care Model Processes to reduce health disparities within our communities.
• Assists and encourages clients in identifying self‑management goals.
• Demonstrates adherence to National Patient Safety Goals.
• Develops and maintains a working knowledge of individual Emergency Preparedness roles.
• Reports all unusual occurrences that may involve the safety and well‑being of the clients and co‑workers, directly to the supervisor and/or Safety Officer.

Marginal Functions

• Assist in bilingual translation as appropriate.
• Assists Public Health Assistant in completing entire WIC certification process and other duties as required.
• Performs laboratory duties (hemoglobin tests), according to Standing Orders for Capillary Hemoglobin.

• Requires a bachelor’s degree in Nutrition or Dietetics.
• One year clinical or community experience or successful completion of approved dietetic internship required.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, holidays and overtime, if necessary, at any clinic site.

As the largest human service provider in Lake County, we believe that services must be available without barriers. No residents are turned away due to the inability to pay. We believe in providing services in an environment of mutual respect, free of discrimination or bias. Whether assuring accessible and effective care, impacting policy, or assessing and monitoring risks, the Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center has been an essential part of the public health system in Lake County for 60 years. We are looking for passionate, qualified team members who can help make a difference in our agency and, most importantly, in our community.

Additional information about the Lake County Health Department, our culture, and why you should join our team can be found at https://lakecountyil.attract.neogov.com/health-department.

At this time, you must live in Illinois or Wisconsin to be eligible to work at Lake County Health Department. You can find our salary gradesat https://www.lakecountyil.gov/4515/Salary-Grades. For unionized positions, a list of our collective bargaining agreementscan be found here: https://www.lakecountyil.gov/2686/Collective-Bargaining-Agreements. This position is represented by AFSCME Council 31.

Any offer of employment is conditioned on the successful completion of a background screening, drug and alcohol testing and may include a pre‑employment medical exam.

The Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other protected characteristics.