Nutritionist 2 at Maury County Government

Maury County Government; Columbia (TN); On-site; USD 54,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

Maury County Government is seeking a Nutritionist 2 to perform professional nutrition work with leadership responsibilities for lower nutrition staff, in a full-time on-site role serving the county. You will evaluate services, ensure compliance, and coordinate care under supervision.

The position requires RD certification and a master's degree in nutrition or public health, with duties including WIC eligibility determinations, medical record documentation, and ongoing professional education to

Qualifications

• RD certification and a master's in nutrition or public health required.
• Experience leading nutrition staff and applying program guidelines.
• Knowledge of WIC and MNT practices preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assigns nutrition packages and certifies patients per guidelines.
• Monitors patients' nutrition status and conducts home visits as needed.
• Documents nutrition care plans and enters data in medical records.

Skills

Decision Quality

Problem Solving

Interpersonal Savvy

Written Communications

Education

Master's degree in nutrition or public health

Registered Dietitian (RD) certification

Tools

Impedance Meters

Personal Computer

Job description

This Full time on site position offers great opportunities for career growth.

Job Overview

Summary: Under general supervision, is responsible for professional nutrition work of average difficulty which often includes leading lower Nutritionists in work; and performs related work as required.

Distinguishing Features

An employee in this class is responsible for evaluating nutrition services and medical nutrition therapy provided and assessing community needs at a county or district level within a region of the state. This class differs from that of Nutritionist 1 in that an incumbent of the latter performs work of more routine difficulty and may be subordinate to a Nutritionist 2. This class differs from that of Nutritionist 3 in that an incumbent of the latter acts as a program manager for one or more nutrient programs in a multiple-county region.

Work Activities

• Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Assigns appropriate supplemental food packages to comply with program guidelines. Certifies patients who meet criteria and documents in medical records to provide appropriate services. Develops and documents appropriate nutrition plan of care to comply with program guidelines and practice standards.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitors patient’s nutrition status to identify needs. Performs home visits to observe and assess nutrition status, as needed.
• Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People: Evaluates how well a subordinate or peer performs according to policies and program guidelines, as required.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handles complaints and misunderstandings to minimize disputes and facilitate performance, as needed.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Determines patients’ eligibility for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) to comply with program guidelines. Determines patient eligibility for therapeutic products to comply with program guidelines, as required.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Maintain continuing education as required by the Commission of Dietetic Registration. Attends required trainings in order to stay up to date with current knowledge and policies.
• Processing Information: Performs calculations to determine client risk criteria such as body mass index, gestational age, appropriate nutrition intake, and estimated date of delivery.
• Training and Teaching Others: Conveys information on breastfeeding techniques, diabetes care, and other nutrition issues by using multiple media to promote lifestyles behaviors. Serves as the nutrition expert on multi-agency committees by providing technical nutrition information and advice. Develops and provides a variety of teaching strategies and tools, including posters or lesson plans to promote healthy lifestyle behaviors.
• Performing Administration Activities: Documents information associated with the patients’ nutrition care plan, Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT), nutrition counseling, and education into patients’ medical records according to the policies and guidelines. Prepares report as directed by supervisors to track nutrition activities, as required. Enters patients’ information according to Subjective Objective Assessment Plan or other required format according to the policies and guidelines.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Interprets and explains nutrition data and risk to patient to promote behavior change and comply with program guidelines.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies: Assists in the development of long-range goals and objectives to create nutrition and breastfeeding plans, as needed.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates: Provides guidance and direction to subordinates, including monitoring performance to improve or maintain standards, as needed.
• Getting Information: Interviews patients to assess their literacy level, cultural background and readiness to learn. Assesses nutrition related questionnaire and data to determine the patient’s stage of readiness and goals. Consults with healthcare providers to determine nutrition related needs of the patient.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Develops specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work in an efficient manner.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Communicates with supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates using multiple media to effectively relay work related information.
• Staffing Organizational Units: Assists in the recruiting and/or interviewing process to fill staff positions, as required.
• Communicating with Persons outside Organization: Identifies and contacts health care providers and staff of health facilities, health department programs, and agencies within the community that can offer medical care and social services assistance to patients. Maintains knowledge of community resources to provide referrals and resources to public. Promotes community nutrition and education activities for healthy lifestyle behavior changes.
• Analyzing Data or Information: Analyzes medical information including cholesterol and blood glucose levels, biochemical data, or anthropometric data, to identify lab value fluctuations, how food interacts with patients’ medication, or other nutrition related information, as required. Compares patient’s data against program nutrition risk criteria to determine program eligibility. Evaluates progress on nutrition goals utilizing patient input to determine patient stage of change. Identifies and assess community nutrition trends and needs at the local level to develop appropriate services for the public.
• Coaching and Developing Others: Mentors others to improve their knowledge or skills, as needed.
• Scheduling Work and Activities: Schedules activities for subordinates to assure the provision of quality nutrition services, as required.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relations: Develops and maintains constructive and cooperative working relationships with others to promote effective work environment.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources: Monitors and inventories resources related to infant feeding such as breastfeeding aids and infant formula according to policies and program guidelines, as required.

Competencies (KSA’s)

Competencies: Decision Quality Problem Solving Action Oriented Written Communications Customer Focus Interpersonal Savvy Listening Understanding Others Knowledge: Biology Chemistry Mathematics Psychology Sociology and Anthropology Therapy and Counseling Skills: Active Listening Critical Thinking Reading Comprehension Speaking Writing Instructing Social Perceptiveness Judgment and Decision Making Abilities: Oral Comprehension Oral Expression Problem Sensitivity Written Comprehension Written Expression Auditory Attention Speech Clarity Speech Recognition

Tools and Equipment Used

Impedance Meters Personal Computer Microfiche Microfilm Fax Machine Printer Scanner Copy Machine Calculator Retail Sales Equipment Electronic Devices Smart Phone Other office related equipment as required Various medical equipment and devices

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience: Possession of proof of registration in active status as a Registered Dietitian (RD) with the Commission on Dietetic Registration and experience equivalent to one year of full-time professional nutrition work or Graduation from an accredited college or university with a master's degree in human nutrition, dietetics, or any public or community health field dealing with applied human nutrition; and possession of proof of registration in active status as a Registered Dietitian (RD) with the Commission on Dietetic Registration.

Other Requirements

Necessary Special Qualifications: Possession of proof of registration in active status as a Registered Dietitian (RD) with the Commission on Dietetic Registration is required at the time of appointment and must be maintained during employment in the Nutritionist 2 job classification. A valid vehicle operator's license may be required for employment in some positions. Note: A transcript is required for a proper evaluation for this class.

Examination Method

Education and Experience, 100%, for Preferred Service positions.

Contract & Working Hours

This is a full-time position, 37.5 hours per week.

E-Verify Compliance

Maury County Government is an E-Verify employer. E-Verify is an Internet based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that allows participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees in the United States.