WIC Nutritionist

Outagamie County; Appleton (WI); On-site; USD 60,000 - 82,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Wisconsin Retirement System

Paid time off for 20+ hours per week

Job summary

Outagamie County is seeking a WIC Nutritionist under the supervision of the WIC Supervisor to ensure access to program benefits. You will assess, counsel and educate families on lifecycle nutrition and provide referrals for health services and community resources.

The role requires applying evidence-based nutrition interventions, delivering breastfeeding education, and planning outreach to eligible families. Core hours are Mon-Fri 8:00–4:30 with some evenings/weekends as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Dietetics, Food and Nutrition, or a Registered Dietetic Technician, required.
• Registered Dietitian, or registration-eligible, passing the registration exam within six months of hire and certified in Wisconsin, preferred.
• Or any combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge skills and abilities.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Assesses health and nutrition status of pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women; infants, and children enrolled in WIC.
• Identifies and prioritizes health and nutrition risk factors; develops plan of care based on identified risk factors.
• Applies evidence based nutrition interventions to provide education and assist WIC participant to set behavior goals.
• Provides breast-feeding education and support based on evidence based practices and State WIC curriculum.
• Determine appropriate nutrition benefits for participant and educate on their use in the grocery store.

Skills

Nutrition assessment

Counseling

Education planning

Public health outreach

Communication

Education

Bachelor's or Master’s Degree in Dietetics, Food and Nutrition, or a Registered Dietetic Technician

Job description

Under the supervision of the WIC (Women Infant and Children) Supervisor, the Nutritionist ensures availability and accessibility of WIC program benefits to current and prospective participants. WIC Nutritionists assess, counsel and educate families about lifecycle nutrition and provide referrals for health services and community resources.

HOURS: Core business hours are Monday through Friday 8:00am to 4:30 pm. Extended hours WIC operations occur every Tuesday until 6:00 pm. Work schedule flexibility to work outside core business hours, which include evenings and weekends.

BENFITS: We offer a comprehensive benefits package including being a part of the Wisconsin Retirement System! Outagamie County offers Benefit options and paid time off for team members that work 20+ or more hours per week. Learn more today by visiting: https://www.outagamie.gov/Our-County/Human-Resources/Employee-Benefits-Information

The following duties are most critical for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Utilizes critical thinking skills to assess health and nutrition status of pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women; infants, and children to be enrolled in the WIC Program following Federal and State guidelines.
• Identifies and prioritizes health and nutrition risk factors; identifies risk factors that require referral and follow-up; develops plan of care based on identified risk factors.
• Applies evidence based nutrition interventions to provide education and assist WIC participant to set behavior goals to improve identified health and nutrition risks.
• Provides breast-feeding education and support based on evidence based practices and State WIC curriculum.
• Determine appropriate nutrition benefits for participant, issue benefits, provide education to families on benefits and benefit use in the grocery store. Assess benefit use prior to nutrition education and benefit issuance to assure understanding of using WIC Benefits.
• Provides individualized non-certification nutrition education contacts per WIC program policies.
• Plans, implements and evaluates outreach activities to eligible families in the community.
• Complete timely, accurate and case documentation in electronic systems and/or paper charts in accordance with WIC/Divisionpolicies and procedures.
• Uses acceptable abbreviations and nomenclature to document identified risk factors, nutrition education, and referrals in participants' files.
• Performs anthropometric/hematological measurements of participants as needed.
• Assesses the immunization status of program participants and provides referrals as indicated.
• Recruits and provides coaching to participants enrolled in the Fit Families Program.
• Trains and monitors retail and Farmers' Market Nutrition Program vendors as required by State regulations.
• Promotes and evaluates Farmer's Market Nutrition Program.
• Aids in development, implementation and evaluation of outcome based objectives.
• Participates in quality assurance activities to assure quality and consistency of services.
• Participates in interdisciplinary case conferences.
• Attends professional development programs to maintain required continuing education credits.
• Provides learning experiences for student nurses/dietetic interns.
• Maintains emergency preparedness core Public Health competencies by participating in preparedness training exercises and planning events.
• Maintains regular and predictable attendance, works overtime/extra hours as required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Bachelors or Master’s Degree in Dietetics, Food and Nutrition, or a Registered Dietetic Technician, required
• Registered Dietitian, or registration-eligible, passing the registration exam within six months of hire and certified in Wisconsin, preferred
• Or any combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge skills and abilities.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.

• Knowledge of the Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals. (http://www.phf.org/resourcestools/Pages/Core_Public_Health_Competencies.aspx). Developed by the Council on Linkages, the Core Competencies reflect skills that are desirable for professionals who deliver the Essential Public Health Services. The Core Competencies serve as the foundation for public health practices and are intertwined in the key responsibilities listed above.
• Knowledge of and maintenance of Public Health Preparedness and Response Core Competencies by participating in preparedness training, exercises, planning events and responding to actual events.
• Ability to operate general office equipment such as copy machine, FAX machine, personal computer, telephone, etc.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, divide, calculate decimals and percents, and make use of the principles of descriptive statistics.
• Ability to comprehend and interpret a variety of documents, including pertinent State and Federal rules and regulations.
• Ability to prepare a variety of documents including reports, required documentation and referrals.
• Ability to effectively communicate and understand and follow written and oral instructions.
• Ability to communicate effectively with co-workers, County Officials, all socioeconomic groups and the general public, etc. verbally and in writing.
• Ability and skill to work independently prioritizing work to meet mandates; ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.
• Ability to conduct interactive interviews and obtain information in a non-judgmental manner.
• Ability to evaluate nutritional needs.
• Knowledge of nutrition and dietary education, and community health resources.
• Knowledge of and ability to use computer software and applications used by the department and program.
• Ability to stoop, bend, stretch; push, pull and lift up to 35 pounds regularly and up to 40 pounds occasionally, understanding and utilizing proper body mechanics.