Nutritionist

Chester-County-of-Pennsylvania; Westtown (Chester County); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

The Chester County Health Department is seeking a Nutritionist for the WIC Program to provide confidential, professional nutrition services and education at WIC clinic sites throughout Chester County.

Responsibilities include eligibility assessment, nutrition care planning, tailoring food packages, and tracking outcomes with CPA oversight. Travel to assigned areas and a valid driver’s license are required; bilingual English/Spanish is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and/or Dietetics or PA CPA requirements.
• CPA certification or ability to obtain CPA.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Licensed and certified in anthropometrics and breastfeeding training.
• Ability to work with diverse populations and travel.

Responsibilities

• Counsel clients on diet, health, pregnancy and breastfeeding issues.
• Conduct a thorough participant assessment and document WIC risk codes.
• Prepare nutrition and breastfeeding care plans for clients.
• Prescribe and tailor food packages for clients.
• Screen clients to assess health and socioeconomic status.
• Document medical and dietary history.
• Deliver nutrition education including breastfeeding promotion.
• Perform and interpret hemoglobin tests and anthropometric measurements.
• Monitor chart data for CPA accuracy.
• Refer clients to social/health agencies and encourage follow-up.
• Distribute nutrition/health brochures.
• Contact doctors, grocers, and warehouses as needed.
• Attend meetings and trainings; assist with training others.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Counseling skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Customer service

Bilingual English/Spanish

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition/Dietetics

Certified Competent Professional Authority (CPA)

Master’s degree in Nutrition (preferred)

Registered Dietitian License (ADA) or eligible

Tools

PA WIC computer system

Job description

The Chester County Health Department is seeking a Nutritionist for the WIC Program. This position is responsible for provision of confidential, professional nutrition services and preventive measures through clinic services, nutrition education, and special projects at WIC clinic sites throughout Chester County so that the health and nutrition status of women, infants and children continues to improve. Responsibilities include determination of eligibility through medical assessment and clinical laboratory tests conducted on site by individual in this position. Good organizational, computer skills and the ability to communicate and work with a wide variety of culturally diverse people with limited supervision are required. Position demands valid driver's license and travel to assigned areas throughout Chester County. Bilingual (English and Spanish) is preferred.

This is an Essential Employee position. Essential employees are obligated to report to work as scheduled or remain at work during emergencies.

Responsibilities

• Counsel clients on diet, health, pregnancy and breastfeeding issues
• Conduct a thorough participant assessment and documentation of WIC risk codes.
• Prepare nutrition and breastfeeding care plans for individual clients and high-risk clients for implementation at follow-up visits.
• Prescribe and tailor food packages for clients.
• Screen clients through Nutrition Interview questions to assess health, nutritional and socioeconomic status.
• Obtain medical and dietary history and document data in chart.
• Deliver and document nutrition education, including breastfeeding promotion and support.
• Perform and interpret biochemical tests (hemoglobin) and anthropometric measurements (height, weight, head circumference, etc.).
• Monitor accuracy of chart data by reviewing and signing as a Competent Professional Authority (CPA).
• Refer clients to appropriate social and health agencies and encourage compliance through follow-up.
• Distribute and discuss appropriate brochures on nutrition and health topics.
• Contact doctors, grocery stores and warehouses based on clients’ needs.
• Attend meetings and training as required.
• Assist with training other staff.
• Attend continuing education classes to update knowledge as required by state and local agencies.
• Complete report of activity and surveys, as necessary.
• Maintain and/or make suggestions for supplies and educational materials, as required.
• Perform the duties of state-required WIC Coordinator positions (e.g., nutrition education, outreach, retail store, breastfeeding), as assigned.
• Perform other duties, tasks and special projects, as required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Nutrition and/or Dietetics, or combination of education and experience that meets PA State requirements for a Competent Professional Authority (CPA) in the PA WIC Program.
• Certified by the Pennsylvania WIC Program as a Competent Professional Authority or ability to be certified.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Effective counseling skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Licensed and certified in anthropometrics and breastfeeding training.
• Ability to complete and maintain training in bloodwork, anthropometric and breastfeeding promotion.
  • Ability to perform visual examination of clients and interpret signs or symptoms associated with malnutrition, inadequate diet or disease state.
• Strong customer service skills and the ability to work with a diverse group of parents and children.
• Ability to work effectively with people from many different backgrounds.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to adapt to a changing environment.
  • Ability to plot graphs to specific points in order to establish risk.
  • Ability to maintain confidential information and handle confidential matters.
  • Basic skills to use a personal computer and various software packages.
  • Ability to work independently and proceed with objectives.
  • A valid driver’s license and the use of a personal vehicle are required.

Preferred Skills, Knowledge & Experience

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Nutrition, or Registered Dietitian License by the American Dietetic Association (ADA) and the PA Licensing Board.
• Entry-level clinic experience.
• Ability to apply advanced principles of nutrition and dietetics, breastfeeding, and maternal child health concepts
• Counseling and motivational interviewing skills
• Ability to speak and write in Spanish.
  • Ability to assess and address verbal and non-verbal cues.
  • Accurate and detail oriented.
  • Current knowledge of nutrition and health issues.
  • In-depth knowledge of clinical and technical procedures.
• HemoCue proficiency training.
• Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) training.
• Ability to work independently or as part of a team.
  • Creative and innovative.
• Strong training skills.
• Flexibility.
• Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position.
• Ability to multi-task.

Relevant background checks, clearances, physicals, drug tests, and any other assessments or evaluations will be conducted after an offer of employment is given per County policy.

Computer Skills

• Basic to Intermediate Word skills
• Basic PowerPoint skills
• Basic Outlook skills (Email and Calendar)
• Basic Internet Explorer skills
• Skill and knowledge with the Pennsylvania WIC computer system

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently required to walk; sit; bend, twist or rotate at the waist; kneel, stoop, crouch or squat; lift or carry items; work with machinery; work with an uncommon level of noise; and talk or hear. Occasionally, the employee will need to stand; reach or work with arms above shoulders; climb stairs; push items; drive a vehicle during working hours; and taste or smell. On rare occasions, the employee will need to crawl.

The specific vision requirements for this position are:

• Close vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less)
• Color vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors)
• Depth perception (three-dimensional vision, ability to judge distances and spatial relationships)
• Ability to adjust focus of the eye to bring an object into sharp focus

Work Environment

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.
• The work environment may be crowded and noisy with an aggressive population.
• Some work locations may have strong odors.
• May need to drive in extreme weather conditions.

Other

• This position requires professionalism.
• Ability to work extended hours and/or weekends, as necessary.
• Ability to perform a visual examination of clients and interpret signs or symptoms associated with malnutrition, inadequate diet or a diseased state.
• This position entails an extensive amount of paperwork.