NUTRITION EDUCATOR - 64028266

State of Florida; Tampa (FL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual and sick leave

9 paid holidays

Tuition reimbursement

Health insurance options

Retirement plan options

Flexible spending accounts

Job summary

Florida Department of Health – Hillsborough County is seeking a Nutritional Educator to provide WIC client counseling, nutrition education, and breastfeeding support. You will review records, perform anthropometric measurements, and collaborate with a dietitian to ensure high-quality client services.

You will participate in outreach and education activities, with opportunities for professional growth and tuition reimbursement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science or Master’s degree in Nutritional Sciences, Community Nutrition, Clinical Nutrition, Dietetics, Public Health Nutrition or Home Economics with emphasis in Nutrition per WIC CFR Title 7, Part 246.
• Preferred: bilingual, fluent in both English and Spanish or English and Haitian Creole

Responsibilities

• Certifies clients for WIC and provides individual counseling to clients meeting high and low nutritional risk criteria.
• Reviews client records for high risk criteria and refers to the licensed dietitian; assist with translation if needed.
• Collects anthropometric data and performs hemoglobin screening; training provided on methods.
• Attends meetings and supports outreach, health fairs, and community activities; may work at other locations in Hillsborough.
• Provides breastfeeding education and referrals; supports WIC breastfeeding activities.
• Manages inventory and documentation for formula; conducts monthly inventory.
• Documents referrals and WIC benefits in HMS; participates in program reporting.
• Seeks professional development through approved workshops and trainings.
• Travels to clinics as needed; completes reports timely.
• Ensures compliance with program policies and confidentiality standards.

Skills

Verbal/written communication

WIC policies knowledge

Nutrition science knowledge

Feeding assessment

VENA techniques

Medical terminology

Nutrition charting

Office equipment use

Excel/Word/Outlook/FL-WiSE

Customer service & confidentiality

Education

BS in Nutrition or MS in Nutrition/Public Health Nutrition

Preferred: bilingual (English + Spanish or English + Haitian Creole)

Job description

Thank you for your interest in career opportunities with the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County. If you are looking to establish a successful career in Public Health, you have come to the right place. Many of our innovative and successful health programs are recognized throughout Florida. We hope you decide to join our team! Applicants will be contacted directly if selected for an interview.

Join an amazing company culture that values employee growth and development at the Florida Department of Health. Professional development is highly encouraged and supported within our organization through opportunities for mentorships and educational and skills training. From the moment you are hired, you can begin to grow as a professional and a leader, through strategic planning, internal committees, and project engagement. There are also many opportunities for continuing education at no cost to the employee. If you are looking to further your education through a college degree, the Florida Department of Health can help with our tuition reimbursement program. We offer an inspiring and encouraging atmosphere to support you while you work with us.

The Florida Department of Health (DOH) is responsible for the health and safety of all citizens and visitors to the state. As a public health agency, the Florida Department of Health must monitor the health status of Floridians, diagnose, and investigate health problems, and mobilize local communities to address health-related issues. The Florida Department of Health develops policies and plans that support health goals, enforce laws and regulations that protect the health of all residents and visitors, and link people to needed health care services. The Florida Department of Health also provides specialized assistance to pregnant women, infants, and children with special health care needs, regulate health care practitioners, and provides medical disability determinations.

Title of Position: Nutritional Educator

Open Competitive

A Nutrition Educator p rovides individual counseling to WIC clients meeting high and low nutritional risk criteria.

Your Specific Responsibilities:

• Certifies clients for WIC. Provides individual counseling to WIC clients meeting high and low nutritional risk criteria. Assesses clients' nutritional needs, develops care plans with goal setting using soap note format and provides 2nd nutrition education contacts to all clients in the family record.
• Reviews client records for medically high risk criteria and makes referrals to the licensed dietitian. If fluent in another language, you may be required to assist with translating to ensure quality client services.
• Collects anthropometric data of clients through conducting heights/stature and weight measurements. Performs fingers sticks to assess hemoglobin levels of WIC participants. Will receive training on proper anthropometric and hematological collection methods by an approved trainer prior to job duties.
• Conducts and/or attends health related meetings, staff meetings, committees, and workgroups. Assists with outreach activities, health fairs and other community activities as needed. Completes related assignments as necessary. Employee works for the FDOH - Hillsborough and at times will be scheduled to work in other locations.
• Provides breastfeeding education, encouragement, guidance, and referrals to ensure success. Assists with WIC breastfeeding activities.
• Recieves exempt formula upon arrival to the clinic site. Documents receipt and returns inventory paperwork to the employee responsible for the master inventory. Participates in performing formula inventory on the last working day each month.
• Documents smoking cessation referrals in client education notes and in the HMS system. Issues WIC benefits to participants when appropriate or directed by clinic supervisor.
• If fluent in another language, you may be required to assist with translating to ensure quality client services.
• Seeks to improve professional development within the scope of public health by way of approved workshops and training activities.
• Attends staff meetings and other health related meetings, committee meetings, and workgroups as needed. Travels to clinics and performs other duties as assigned by supervisor. Employee works for the HCHD and at times will be scheduled to work in other locations.
• Submits reports such as travel, HMS, People First within the timeframe assigned

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Effective verbal/written communication and telephone etiquette skills.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal WIC Program policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of current science and practice of food, nutrition and dietetics; normal nutrition principles and dietary needs throughout the life cycle.
• Ability to assess appropriate and effective feeding for women, infants and children.
• Effectively counsel using the Value Enhanced Nutrition Assessment (VENA) techniques.
• Knowledge of medical terminology.
• Nutrition charting techniques using the designated format.
• Ability to use office equipment (computer, digital scale, stature board, Hemocue machine, copier, telephone, etc).
• Computer skills: thorough knowledge, skills and ability to use Excel, Word, Outlook, FL-WiSE.
• Customer service skills maintains client confidentiality and effective working relationships.

Qualifications:

• Minimum: Bachelor of Science degree or Master's degree in Nutritional Sciences, Community Nutrition, Clinical Nutrition, Dietetics, Public Health Nutrition or Home Economics with emphasis in Nutrition per WIC Federal Regulation, CFR, Title 7, Part 246.
• Preferred: Bilingual, fluent in both English and Spanish or English and Haitian Creole

Florida Department of Health Mission, Vision, and Values:

Mission:

To protect, promote & improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county & community efforts.

Vision:

To be theHealthiestState in the Nation.

Values:

I nnovation: We search for creative solutions and manage resources wisely.

C ollaboration: We use teamwork to achieve common goals & solve problems.

A ccountability: We perform with integrity & respect.

R esponsiveness: We achieve our mission by serving our customers & engaging our partners.

E xcellence: We promote quality outcomes through learning & continuous performance improvement.

Where You Will Work:

College Hill WIC

2313 E. 28th Ave, Tampa, FL 33605

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including:

• Annual and Sick Leave benefits.
• Nine paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year.
• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options.
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions (For more information, please click www.myfrs.com ).
• Flexible Spending Accounts.
• Tuition waivers for State Universities/Community Colleges.

Your responses to qualifying questions for this position must be verifiable by documentation provided through the electronic application process.

This position requires a security background check and/or drug screening and participation in direct deposit. Any misrepresentations or omissions will disqualify you from employment consideration. Note: You willbe required to provide your Social Security Number (SSN) in order to conduct this background check. Successful completion of a drug test is a condition of employment for safety-sensitive positions.

Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion unless they are registered with the Selective Services System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS. For more information, please visit the SSS website: http://www.sss.gov.

If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended, or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement.

The successful candidate will be required to complete the Form I-9 and that information will be verified using the E-Verify system. E-Verify is operated by the Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the Social Security Administration to verify employment eligibility.

Incumbents may be required to perform emergency duty before, during, and/or beyond normal work hours or days.

All Florida Department of Health positions require the incumbent to be able to learn and communicate effectively, orally and in writing, in English. Applicants who do not meet this requirement will not be considered.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-877-562-7287). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

Florida has the third largest population of veterans in the nation with more than 1.5 million service men and women. The Florida Department of Health (department) is committed to serving members of the United States Armed Forces, veterans, and their families by encouraging them to apply for vacancies that fit their area of knowledge and/or expertise. Through the Department's VALOR program, which expedites licensing for military veterans, the Department also waives initial licensing and application fees for military veterans who apply for a health care professional license within 60 months of an honorable discharge. These initiatives help ensure that the transition from military service into the workforce is as smooth as possible and reflects our appreciation for the dedication devoted to protecting our country.

If there are any problems applying online, please call People First Staffing Administration: [phone].

Service Center hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., ET. TTY users, call [phone].

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE. Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes,candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply. Through the Department's VALOR program, which expedites licensing for military veterans, the Department also waives initial licensing and application fees for military veterans who apply for a health care professional license within 60 months of an honorable discharge. These initiatives help ensure that the transition from military service into the workforce is as smooth as possible and reflects our appreciation for the dedication devoted to protecting our country.

For assistance, call the People First Service Center at [phone] Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Eastern time. Pursuant to Florida Law, 110.211 F. S., the State of Florida is an EEO employer.