Nutritionist

Virginia Department of Health; Suffolk (VA); On-site; USD 47,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Job summary

Virginia Department of Health in Western Tidewater HQ is seeking a Nutritionist to join the WIC team, delivering nutrition services to clients across clinics, schools, and community sites within the district.

This position requires eligible nutrition credentials and public health nutrition knowledge; you will assess, plan, implement, and document care, with referrals to Medicaid, SNAP, and related programs. The role is based in Suffolk with potential mobility within the district.

Qualifications

• Must meet requirements for use of title Dietitian/Nutritionist as authorized by VA 54.1 – 2731
• Comprehensive knowledge of principles and practices of nutrition and dietetics and its relationship to public health

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Nutritional assessment

Public health nutrition

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in nutrition or dietetics

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:WESTERN TIDEWATER HQ

Agency Website:www.vdh.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Western Tidewater 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.

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is dedicated to protecting and promoting the health of Virginians. The Western Tidewater WIC Program services the City of Franklin, the City of Suffolk, Isle of Wight County, Southampton County as well as Pughsville. This Nutritionist is based in Suffolk but may be required to work at the other offices within the district on occasion.

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

Must meet requirements for use of title Dietitian/Nutritionist as authorized by Code of VA 54.1 – 2731

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 effectively 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
• Knowledge of Breastfeeding practices
• Have two years of work experience in nutrition or dietetics concurrent with or subsequent to such degree

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 their 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.