General Definition of Work:
Nutritionist I: Provides skilled nutrition services to Women, Infants and Children (WIC) participants. Performs a nutrition screen and assessment to determine nutritional risk. Provides client-centered nutrition education and counseling to individuals and groups. Build rapport and trust while creating a supportive environment that encourages healthy behavior change and positive learning experiences. Refers participants to various health care programs, including but not limited to breastfeeding support, Registered Dietitian, maternal and infant care programs, and social services as appropriate. Provides breastfeeding education, promotion, and support in accordance with WIC program guidelines and evidence-based practices. Act as a nutrition resource for participants, families, community groups, and health care professionals. Assists in the creation of nutrition education materials and in-service training for staff. Performs additional program support activities as needed, including assisting with participant communications, community outreach, staff training, and coverage of clerical or technical functions. Work is performed under the limited supervision of the WIC Coordinator.
Nutritionist II:
In addition to performing Nutritionist I responsibilities, provides advanced nutrition assessment and counseling to high-risk participants. Develops individualized care plans, monitors participant progress, approves Class III food packages, and evaluates outcomes in accordance with WIC policies and procedures. Work is performed under the limited supervision of the WIC Coordinator.
Nutritionist I starting at $25.85/hr
Nutritionist II starting at $27.66/hr
Essential Functions:
Nutritionist I:
- Counsels at risk clients; creates, assesses dietary intakes, recommends changes in eating habits, explains nutritional needs, identifies Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC) foods and benefits to clients; reviews height, weight, lab values, diet, etc. and assesses client for risk codes; educates client on why they are eligible nutritionally for program.
- Develops and teaches interactive nutrition education classes for WIC clients; enters participation and completion of education process into WIC tracking system.
- Speaks to community groups about WIC program, nutrition, and special topics; develops nutrition education materials using state/federal criteria for distribution to clients who utilize Health Department services.
- Counsels clients on current feeding practices and promotes breastfeeding; assesses clients, determines need for breast pumps and initiates breast pump program; documents breastfeeding activities.
- Reviews information on National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) growth charts and dietary forms; reviews chart for infant's/child's condition, and information from physician/hospital when infant/child needs alternate formula/food package other than standard WIC formula/standard food package, to determine need; refers all Class Ill Formula requests to Registered Dietician.
- Performs clerical duties as needed such as filing, enrolling clients, downloading benefits, answering telephones, and making appointments.
- Performs technical back up duties, as needed, such as blood pressure checks, anthropometric measurements and hemoglobin checks on infants, children, and women.
- Performs nutrition education time study which is a requirement of federal/state guidelines.
- Promotes and performs community outreach
Nutritionist II:
- Screens and assess clients for nutritional risk, assess anthropometric and hematological data; assesses health, diet, and breastfeeding history and determines need for service; provides breastfeeding promotion, protection, support, and education; conducts individualized client-centered nutrition education; develops nutrition care plan; determines appropriate food prescription based on client's needs; refers clients to nutrition, breastfeeding, health, public assistance, or community services.
- Runs the completed online nutrition education report; determines the clients who need benefits; assesses online learning completed and verify in system; issues benefits; determines and schedule client's next appointment; contacts client and review new benefits and appointments; discusses and answers any questions or concerns expressed by parent.
- Determines nutrition risk of all clients; develops and writes an individualized care plan for all high-risk clients; provides nutrition counseling and follow-up and document appropriately; schedules continuing high risk counseling appointments; approves class II and class III formularies and monitor infant/child status; determines the need to continue with a class III formula and work with medical doctor offices to transition infant to standard formula.
- Provides follow-up nutrition education for scheduled and walk-in clients; reviews initial care plans and education with the clients, assess client's current stage of behavior change; provides client-centered nutrition education based on client's needs.
- Counsels clients on walk-in basis requesting food prescription change; collects returned formula and required documentation of accepting returned formula, as needed; conducts new high risk code determination and care plan development; voids and re-issues benefits as necessary for current and future food benefits; inquiries into state benefits system for accurate account of benefits.
- Runs client eligibility for benefit reports and determines client status; contacts clients to schedule appointments; issues benefits allowed.
- Answers client questions and appointment needs; makes changes to food prescriptions and benefits; attends required meetings and trainings; provides back up for clerical and technical staff, as needed; develops and teaches nutrition education classes for participants; conducts community outreach.
Minimum Qualifications:
Nutritionist I:
Education: Bachelor's degree with coursework in nutrition, dietetics, or related field.
Experience: Minimal (less than 1 year) experience in prenatal, infant and child nutrition counseling and education, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Special Requirements: Valid driver's license in the State of Michigan.
Nutritionist II:
Education: Bachelor's degree with coursework in nutrition, dietetics, or related field.
Experience: Moderate (1+ years) experience in prenatal, infant and child nutrition counseling and education, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Special Requirements:
Registered Dietitian issued by the Commission on Dietetic Registration upon hire.
Valid driver's license in the State of Michigan.
