This beginning-level public health nutrition role involves providing nutritional assessment, education, and counseling to individuals and groups, primarily within the WIC program, and certifying participant eligibility. Responsibilities also include serving as a resource on nutrition to other healthcare providers and preparing/presenting nutrition classes.
Requirements summary
Candidates must have a bachelor's degree in foods and nutrition, dietetics, or public health nutrition, or a related degree with 12 credit hours in nutrition, and must complete all WIC Web Based Nutrition Education Program Modules. The role requires knowledge of dietetics principles, community health resources, and strong skills in interviewing, counseling, and developing educational materials.
Level 3 – High Intervention Level – Expanded assessment, can certify all participants.
This is beginning level work in public health nutrition.
Provides nutritional assessment, education and counseling to individuals and groups.
Serves as a resource on nutrition and dietetics to nurses, health educators and other health care providers in local health departments, local public and private health care facilities and the community.
Work is governed by local agency protocol, federal regulations and state policies and procedures.
Performs related work as required.
Serve as preceptor for Nutrition Assistant and Nutrition Associate.
Minimum Qualifications
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree in foods and nutrition, dietetics or public health nutrition; or a bachelor's degree in a related field with 12 hours in nutrition.
Training
Complete all WIC Web Based Nutrition Education Program Modules.
See Policy 11.01, WIC Training Modules.
Nature of Work
Under general supervision, performs beginning level professional work by promoting and presenting public health nutrition programs. Performs related work as required. Public contact and travel are required.
Distinguishing Characteristics
This is beginning level work in public health nutrition.
The Nutritionist 1 provides nutritional assessment, education and counseling to individuals and groups, primarily prenatal and pediatric clinics, with emphasis on participants in the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
Serves as a resource on nutrition and dietetics to nurses, health educators and other health care providers in local health departments, local public and private health care facilities and the community.
Work is governed by federal regulations and state policies and procedures.
Performs related work as required
Examples of Work
Evaluates and certifies the eligibility of applicants for participation in the Women, Infants and Children Program.
Assesses and documents nutritional risk status of participants.
Counsels participants concerning diet and food selections (including breastfeeding, infant feeding, and other nutrition related topics).
Educates mothers about breastfeeding benefits and how to prevent and handle common breastfeeding problems, as well as providing assessment, education, and support for breastfeeding complications.
Recommends a WIC food package tailored to the participant's needs.
Prepares and presents nutrition classes to WIC participants, as well as other interested groups.
Refers WIC participants to appropriate health and social agencies for additional assistance.
Serves as a resource on nutrition and dietetics to the staff of local health departments, local health care facilities, community health and human service agencies.
Assigns eWIC cards, and loads benefits to eWIC cards (EBT).
Schedules next appointment as needed.
Offers phone education to participants who cannot attend a class or view education online.
On occasion, this position also carries out assigned tasks in participant outreach and screening including obtaining preliminary, individual health and nutrition data (height, weight, health history, and hemoglobin screening) in preparation for WIC nutrition and eligibility assessment.
Distributes current nutrition promotional/educational materials.
Attends in-service training, meetings, seminars and workshops pertaining to current practices in the field of nutrition.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of the principles and practices of dietetics, nutrition and breastfeeding, as related to public health and individual and family food needs.
Knowledge of the organization of community health services, food services, food assistance and nutrition education resources.
Knowledge of developments in the field of public health as related to nutrition.
Skill in interviewing participants, assessing their nutritional status and counseling them concerning nutrition.
Skill in conducting group nutrition and breastfeeding education sessions.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with professional and lay groups concerning the development of nutrition and breastfeeding programs.
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
Ability to create and develop educational and instructional materials effectively.
Ability to assess and evaluate nutritional requirements according to standard protocols of care.
Summary
The WIC Nutritionist I / Certified Professional Authority must be knowledgeable on nutrition, health and breastfeeding topics; acquire a working knowledge of the WIC Program State and Federal Policies and Procedures; and be able to function independently and as part of a team. The Nutritionist I will work under the supervision of a Nutrition Coordinator (Nutritionist II) and Director (Nutritionist III).
