Nutritionist

Commonwealth of VA Careers; Petersburg (VA); On-site; USD 47,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

12 paid holidays

Health, dental, vision, life insurance

Retirement plans (401a Cash Match, 457

Job summary

Virginia Department of Health's Crater Health District seeks a Nutritionist to join the WIC team, delivering nutrition services to clients in clinics, schools and community settings.

The role includes assessing nutrition, developing care plans, certifying clients for program participation, providing nutrition education, and referring to Medicaid, AFDC and SNAP as needed. This is a restricted position funded by the federal WIC grant with ongoing funding review.

Qualifications

• Comprehensive knowledge of nutrition and dietetics in public health.
• Ability to assess nutrition for all age groups and interpret data.
• Strong communication, organizational and planning skills.
• Ability to respond to public inquiry regarding the WIC program.

Responsibilities

• Conducts nutrition assessments in clinic, school and community settings.
• Develops and monitors nutrition care plans and food packages.
• Certifies clients for participation in available public health programs.
• Schedules, provides and documents basic nutrition education.
• Makes referrals to Medicaid, AFDC, and SNAP benefits.

Skills

Nutrition knowledge

Public health

Communication skills

Data interpretation

Education

Bachelor's or higher in nutritional sciences or related field

Job description

Title: Nutritionist

State Role Title: Prog Admin Specialist I

Hiring Range: $46,655 - $53,907.36

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location: CRATER HQ

Agency Website:www.vdh.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: Agency Employee Only - A

Job Duties

The Crater Health District is seeking a highly motivated and energetic individual to join the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) team to serve as a Nutritionist. This position provides nutrition services to clients in a variety of settings within the district.

Characteristic activities

• Conducts patient nutritional assessments and evaluations in the clinic, school and community settings.
• Develops and monitors nutritional care plans and food packages.
• Certifies clients for participation in available public health programs.
• Schedules, provides and documents basic and secondary/high risk nutrition education.
• Makes referrals to programs such as Medicaid, AFDC, and SNAP benefits.
• May perform other related administrative tasks.

According to the Code of Virginia, Chapter 27.1. Dietitians and Nutritionists, section § 54.1-2731. Prohibited terms; penalty, no person shall hold himself out to be or advertise or permit to be advertised that such person is a dietitian or nutritionist unless such person:

1. Has (i) received a baccalaureate or higher degree in nutritional sciences, community nutrition, public health nutrition, food and nutrition, dietetics, or human nutrition from a regionally accredited institution of higher education and (ii) satisfactorily completed a program of supervised clinical experience approved by the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics;
2. Has active registration through the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics;
3. Has an active certificate of the Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists as a Certified Nutrition Specialist;
4. Has an active certification as a Diplomate of the American Clinical Board of Nutrition;
5. Has a current license or certificate as a dietitian or nutritionist issued by another state; or
6. Has the minimum requisite education, training and experience determined by the Board of Health Professions appropriate for such person to hold himself out to be, or advertise or allow himself to be advertised as, a dietitian or nutritionist.

This is a RESTRICTED position, which is solely funded by the Federal WIC Grant for a year period ending September 30th. The availability of funding is scheduled for review annually and periodically thereafter. Continued employment is contingent on the continued availability of funds.

VDH requires all Health-Care Personnel (HCP) to provide documentation of immunization or evidence of immunity to the following: hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella; a one-time dose of tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine regardless of the interval since the last dose of tetanus-diphtheria (Td) vaccine was administered (Td or Tdap boosters shall be received every 10 years); and the current year's seasonal influenza vaccination.

The Virginia Department of Health offers 12 paid holidays, medical, dental, vision and life insurance, retirement plans (including 401a Cash Match and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan) as well as sick, family/personal, and annual leave.

Minimum Qualifications

• Comprehensive knowledge of principles and practices of nutrition and dietetics and its relationship to public health and regulations/standards for the program
• Knowledge of nutrition principles and an ability to make appropriate nutritional assessments for all age groups, including women, infants and children; ability to obtain, interpret, and evaluate data to describe population served and outcomes of nutrition intervention
• Strong communication, organizational and planning skills; ability to communicate effective with patients and staff members individually and in group settings
• Ability to respond to public inquiry regarding the WIC program

Additional Considerations

• Registered Dietitian preferred
• Prior public health experience and/or experience with WIC program preferred

Contact Information

Name: Priscilla Crocker

Phone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide your AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.