Nutritionist Associate - VDHAY002

Virginia-Department-of-Healt; Virginia; On-site; USD 34,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Department of Health is seeking a Nutritionist Associate to serve in the WIC program for the Roanoke City/Alleghany Health District. The role independently assesses nutrition eligibility, prescribes appropriate food packages, and counsels individuals per program guidelines.

The position is funded by a federal WIC grant with an annual funding cycle; a $1,000 sign-on bonus is offered. Eligibility, documentation, and referrals are part of daily responsibilities and requires collaboration

Qualifications

• Basic knowledge of nutrition and nutritional standards.
• Ability to conduct interviews and collect information.
• Ability to interpret, document, calculate, and compile routine data.
• Experience providing patient education and/or communicating information.
• Good communication skills, verbally and in writing, to interact with a variety of patients, peers, and supervisors.
• Ability to work effectively individually and as a team member.
• Experience multi-tasking and prioritizing workloads.

Responsibilities

• Follows the Nutrition Education section of the appropriate policies and procedures.
• Provides basic client nutritional services; interviews participants according to protocol, determining nutritional goals and eligibility requirements for participation in the WIC program.
• Conducts diet and health assessments and determines nutritional risk required in the certification process.
• Nutritional education provided to participants regarding identified nutritional and/or medical risk(s) in accordance with policies and procedures.
• Provides individual or group follow-up education sessions.
• Registers applicants and clients for clinic; determines residential, categorical and financial eligibility.
• Reviews program policies with clients and documents information accurately in the system.
• Maintains equipment and lab environment and supports accessible, efficient services.

Skills

Nutrition basics

Interviewing participants

Data interpretation

Patient education

Verbal and written communication

Teamwork

Computer systems

Job description

Title: Nutritionist Associate - VDHAY002

State Role Title:Direct Service Associate II

Hiring Range: $33,638.00 to $43,796.25

Pay Band: 2

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location:Roanoke-Salem

Agency Website:www.vdh.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

Consider joining the Virginia Department of Health as we foster healthy and resilient communities. This is your opportunity to serve the public in the WIC Program at the Roanoke City/Alleghany Health District.

*This is a restricted position, which is solely funded by the Federal WIC grant. The availability of funding is scheduled for review annually. Annual funding cycle October 1 to September 30 of the following year. Continued employment is contingent on the continued availability of funds.*

*This position offers an incentive that includes a $1,000 sign on bonus*

Position Description

The Nutritionist Associate independently determines nutrition eligibility of applicants/clients within program guidelines and independently prescribes appropriate food packages. Assesses nutritional status/eligibility for program services by Nutrition Assessment using VENA technique process/food frequency history, assessing growth patterns, weight patterns, biochemical values and medical history. Independently sets dietary goals based on the assessment. Provides patient counseling specific to the individual’s nutritional needs. Makes referrals for high-risk counseling with Nutritionist when appropriate.

Job Duties

Nutrition Education

• Follows the Nutrition Education section of the appropriate policies and procedures
• Provides basic client nutritional services; interviews participants according to protocol, determining nutritional goals and eligibility requirements for participation in the WIC program
• Conducts diet and health assessments and determines nutritional risk required in the certification process
• Nutritional education provided to participants regarding identified nutritional and/or medical risk(s) in accordance with policies and procedures
• Provides individual or group follow-up education sessions

Nutrition Support

• Encourages continuation of nutritional plan
• Procures and maintains nutritional education and support
• Assists with educating participants about WIC policies and procedures on Nutritional education, support, and equipment
• Assists in providing equipment, supplies and information to WIC nutritional participants
• Assists with obtaining proper documentation on equipment on loan or issued from the WIC office
• Present[s] an unified and positive attitude towards nutritional plans; works to improve participation in plans

Program Support

• Registers applicants and clients for clinic; determines residential, categorical and financial eligibility
• Reviews accurately and thoroughly all required and applicable program policies, procedures and information with each client/applicant including information verbally or in wiring as policy specifies
• Documents demographic, eligibility and enrollment information accurately into the appropriate system
• May maintain and calibrate equipment and lab environment
• Works with teams to assure the support program is accessible, customer friendly, efficient, positive, seeking caseload growth, professionally and legally administrated on a daily basis

May be required to perform other duties as assigned. May be required to assist the agency or state government generally in the event of an emergency declaration by the Governor. May be required by VDH to adjust work hours, location, and job duties and participate in training to meet public health business needs, including emergencies. If this position is designated as a mobile worker, this includes both working in the field and teleworking at an alternate location when not in the field or during an emergency closing. You may be required to periodically come into your assigned office to attend meetings or training.

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is dedicated to protecting and promoting the health of Virginians. The VDH is made up of a statewide Central Office in Richmond and 35 local health districts.

Who We Are

The Roanoke City and Alleghany Health Districts (RCAHD) are two health districts in the Commonwealth of Virginia under the Virginia Department of Health and employ approximately 140 staff. RCAHD encompasses the cities of Covington, Roanoke, and Salem and the counties of Alleghany, Botetourt, Craig, and Roanoke.

What We Do

RCAHD, which provides services from nine office locations, serves a combined population of over 278,400 people throughout both rural and urban environments and works to promote and encourage healthy behavior, protect the public against environmental hazards, prevent epidemics and the spread of disease, respond to disasters, assist communities in recovery and assure the quality and accessibility of health services for all members of the communities.

The Virginia Department of Health offers 13 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.

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.

Minimum Qualifications

• Basic knowledge of nutrition and nutritional standards
• Ability to conduct interviews and collect information
• Ability to interpret, document, calculate, and compile routine data
• Experience providing patient education and/or communicating information to individuals
• Good communication skills, verbally and in writing, to interact with a variety of patients, peers, and supervisors
• Ability to work effectively individually and as a team member
• Experience multi-tasking and prioritizing workloads
• Skills using computer systems

Additional Considerations

• Training, job experience, or coursework in Nutrition, Dietetics, food services, or a related area preferred
• Bilingual in Spanish and English preferred
• Experience obtaining blood samples/finger sticks, and taking heights and weights of individuals
• Competent Professional Authority (CPA) training completed within 6 months of hire

Special Instructions

It is the policy of the Commonwealth and VDH that all aspects of human resource management be conducted without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists); sex; color; national origin; religion; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; age; veteran status; political affiliation; disability; genetic information; and pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. VDH employees have a shared Code of Ethics, which can be found in the bottom banner of our website: www.vdh.virginia.gov.

As a V3 (Virginia Values Veterans) employer VDH Welcomes Veterans to apply!

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.

Contact Information

Name: Darlene Smith

Phone: N/A

Email: [e-mail]