Women, Infants, and Children Nutritionist
Berkeley County, SC, USA
Job Responsibilities
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This position is headquartered at the Goose Creek Health Department (Berkeley County)
Under the direct supervision of the Nutritionist Supervisor, perform Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) certification, breastfeeding promotion and support, individual low risk nutrition education and health promotion, and group nutrition education. Deliver services to clients and families in clinics, schools, hospitals or office settings. Provide assistance and education to participants/families on contract and List I Special Formulas. Provide technical assistance and consultation to staff as part of the multidisciplinary team delivering care to clients.Management and Supervision: Recruit, hire, orient, train and supervise the Assistant Nutritionist and other Competent Professional Authority (CPA) providing WIC services. Provide nutrition oversight, program level support, management evaluation preparation, and conduct reviews/audits for other clinics (as determined). Perform quality assurance activities such as staff observations, class reviews, and program audits as required by WIC Program and agency policy. Communicates updated WIC policies and procedures with Nutritionist. Oversee nutrition education materials. Provide consultation and technical assistance to other members of the health care team and the community in areas related to normal nutrition, including health promotion and disease prevention. Conduct outreach activities to providers and the community to assist with increasing WIC participation. Participate as a member of the multi-disciplinary WIC team in clinic, caseload monitoring and outreach. Work with other program staff and disciplines to enhance integration and quality of service.
Assessment and Certification: Complete WIC certifications and midcertifications including health history, nutrition assessment, anthropometrics, immunization screening, hemoglobin or hematocrit testing, evaluation of risk status, prescription of WIC food package, documentation, and referrals following program standards and protocols. Provide participants with information about the WIC program and how to redeem benefits. Schedule upcoming WIC appointments. Perform hemoglobin controls as needed in accordance with (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments) CLIA and Agency standards.
Nutrition Education: Provide participant centered nutrition education, counseling, and follow-up for participants. Develop mutual nutrition and physical activity goals with client during certification and midcertification. Refer clients to web-based nutrition education. Plan, conduct, and evaluate group nutrition education classes using the facilitated learning process. Document nutrition education contacts.
Food Packages, Special Formulas, and Reports: Prescribe, update, and explain food packages. Tailor formula package for partially breastfeeding infants. Document changes to the WIC food package in SCWIC. Issue benefits during certification, midcertification, nutrition education encounters and as needed from SCWIC reports. Approve List I Formulas. Provide assistance to families with infants on contract and List I formulas including education, dispensing, and monitoring as assigned. Refer participants on List II and metabolic formulas to the registered dietitian according to WIC guidelines. Pull and complete reports in SCWIC.
Breastfeeding Promotion and Support: Provide breastfeeding promotion and support to pregnant and breastfeeding women. Screen and refer pregnant and breastfeeding women and infants to the breastfeeding staff according to the Referral Guidelines. Issue and monitor breast pumps and breastfeeding supplies.
Professional Development and Training: Update professional skills and knowledge to assure delivery of quality nutrition services. Participate in continuing education opportunities. Complete and maintain certification(s) required for the position. Participate in continuing education, WIC trainings, region in-service programs, and agency required trainings to enhance job-related knowledge and skills. Complete and maintain Certified Lactation Consultant credential if required for the job duties. Prepares and submits reports and documents as required.
Minimum and Additional Requirements
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State Minimum Requirements: A bachelor’s degree in nutrition, dietetics, public health, family and consumer sciences, health education or related degree with emphasis on nutrition.
Institutions of Higher Learning must be recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Agency Additional Requirements: Bachelor's in Science or Bachelor's in Art degree in Nutrition, Foods and Nutrition, Family and Consumer Sciences, Home Economics, Health Promotion or other approved nutrition or health-related degree. WIC Program experience is preferred but not required.
Applicants indicating college credit or degree(s) on the application may upload an unofficial copy of the transcript as an attachment to the application. Please note that the agency will require an official, certified copy of the transcript or diploma prior to hiring.
Preferred Qualifications
- Knowledge of the principles and practices of normal nutrition related to the maternal, infant, and child population. Must have or be willing to be trained in the specialized technical skills required to collect screening information and anthropometric measurements. Able to provide nutrition education, health promotion, and disease prevention education to clients. Has the ability to work effectively with people from a variety of socioeconomic, racial, ethnic and educational backgrounds. This position requires practical knowledge of the principles of adult learning. Has the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with members of public. Must have good oral and written communication skills, good interpersonal skills, and committed to providing excellent customer service.
Additional Comments
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EEO: The Department of Public Health is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions including, but not limited, to lactation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, or genetic information.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION: Applicants needing accommodation for medical reasons or a sincerely held religious belief may submit a request for accommodation. A reasonable accommodation may be granted if it doesn't impose an undue hardship or pose a direct threat to the health and safety of others.
STATE DISASTER PLAN: In accordance with the State's Disaster Plan, which includes hazardous weather, Department of Public Health employees may be required to work in times of an emergency or disaster.
DRIVING RECORD: If this position requires the applicant to possess a valid driver's license to operate a state vehicle or personal vehicle, any applicant, being considered in the final stages of selection for the position will be required to provide a certified copy of a 10-year driving record.
IMMUNIZATION: All new employees who are healthcare providers are required to provide documentation of immunity or be immunized against Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Pertussis, Varicella, and Hepatitis B prior to beginning employment.
The South Carolina Department of Public Health offers an exceptional benefits package for Full Time Employees (FTE) positions that includes:
- 15 days Annual (Vacation) Leave per year
- 15 days Sick Leave per year
- 13 Paid Holidays
- Paid Parental Leave
- Health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance for employees, spouse, and children. Click here for additional information.
- S.C. Deferred Compensation Program available (S.C. Deferred Compensation)
- Retirement benefit choices *
*Enrollment in one of the listed plans is required for all Full Time Employees (FTE); please refer to the contribution section of hyperlinked retirement sites for the current contribution rate of gross pay.
HYBRID WORK: The option to work partially remote or adjusted work hours may be available after 12 months of employment for approved positions.