Public Health Nutrition Associate

County-of-Santa-Clara; California; On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

County of Santa Clara is seeking a nutrition program assistant to support planning and implementation in the Public Health Department. You will screen clients, collect data, and educate on nutrition risks while coordinating referrals and certifications.

The role emphasizes data accuracy, compliance with protocols, and collaboration with health professionals to promote nutritional services across diverse communities.

Qualifications

• Two years of college level education with minimum 12 hours of nutrition coursework and two years of experience assisting in planning and implementing a public health nutrition program.
• One year of additional education may substitute for one year of experience.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Nutrition or related field with no experience.
• Possession of a valid California driver’s license required on appointment.

Responsibilities

• Screen individual clients for nutritional needs.
• Obtain nutritionally relevant data from clients or records to determine eligibility.
• Record anthropometric, biochemical and clinical data in the data system.
• Assist clients in completing nutrition screening tools.
• Perform health and nutrition assessments per protocols.
• Educate clients on identified nutrition risk conditions.
• Determine eligibility for program benefits and complete certification.
• Prescribe appropriate food instruments based on assessment.
• Prioritize referrals and schedule clients.
• Plan and provide nutrition/health education sessions.
• Translate program materials and maintain inventory of materials.

Skills

Effective communication

Oral and written communication

Assess client needs

Plan with outcomes

Interview clients

Data collection

Nutrition knowledge

Group education

Regulations knowledge

Diversity engagement

Education

Two years college with nutrition coursework

Bachelor's Degree in Nutrition or related field

Job description

Under direction of management, assists in the planning and implementation of a nutritional program in the Public Health Department.

Learn more about Santa Clara Health System at:

scvmc.org

och.sccgov.org

slrh.scvh.org

facebook.com/SCVMC

linkedin.com/SCVMC

• Screens individual clients for nutritional needs;
• Obtains nutritionally relevant data (such as medical or diet history, socioeconomic, anthropometric or laboratory data) from the client or medical record to determine eligibility for program;
• Records client's anthropometric, biochemical and clinical data in the computerized data tracking system;
• Assists clients in completing nutrition screening tool(s);
• Performs individual health and nutrition assessment per prescribed protocols;
• Educates client on identified nutrition risk condition(s);
• Determines client's eligibility for program benefits and completes certification process;
• Prescribes appropriate food instruments (food vouchers) based on assessment of client's nutrition/health indicators;
• Prioritizes referrals from health providers, community agencies and organizations and schedules clients;
• Plans, develops and provides nutrition/health education sessions to clients;
• Translates program nutrition/health materials for program;
• Maintains inventory of nutrition/health materials for program;
• Participates in departmental and community health/nutrition activities to promote nutrition program;
• Explains local, state and federal policies and procedures to clients;
• Refers clients and families to public health nutritionist per triage matrix;
• Provides follow-up nutrition intervention per state and agency protocols;
• Assists clients and families in accessing health services by referral to public health nurses, other health professionals, social and community agencies;
• Provides breastfeeding education and support to clients;
• Maintains breastfeeding equipment and supplies;
• Demonstrates proper use of electric and/or manual breast pumps to clients;
• Collects and compiles nutrition education survey data for development of annual nutrition services plan;
• Participates in professional development activities;
• Participates in staff meetings and in-service training;
• Performs related duties as required.

Sufficient training and education to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed below.

Experience Note:

An applicant would normally acquire the qualifications listed below through completion of two years of college level education, with a minimum of 12 hours of nutrition coursework and two (2) years of experience assisting in the planning and implementation of a public health nutritional program. One year of additional education may be substituted for one year of experience;

-OR-

Bachelors Degree in Nutrition or related field with no experience.

Possession of a valid California's driver's license required upon appointment.

Knowledge of:

• Principles of nutrition science and health;
• Child development milestones;
• Data collection;
• Medical terminology;
• Education theories and methods related to nutritional counseling and case management;
• Anthropometric, biochemical and clinical parameters relating to nutrition;
• Established protocols for collection of anthropometric measurements;
• Interviewing techniques;
• Preventive health;
• Basic computer skills;
• Applicable Federal and State nutrition program regulations;
• Public Health programs, services and community resources;
• Breastfeeding promotion and support.

Ability to:

• Communicate effectively orally and in writing;
• Assess client needs and develop a plan with specific outcomes and documents;
• Comply with established protocols for collection of anthropometric measurements;
• Interview clients in a public health setting;
• Solve problems;
• Collect and compile nutrition/health data from clients or records;
• Communicate effectively with clients through use of verbal and nonverbal cues;
• Apply contemporary nutrition/health knowledge and skills;
• Conduct group education classes and advise clients on an individual basis;
• Interpret Federal, State and Local regulations affecting program operation;
• Develop and maintain a working relationship with individuals of diverse culture, ethnic, education and socio-economic backgrounds, community agencies and health professionals.