Employment Center

Transylvania County, NC

JOB DESCRIPTION                           

Department:    Public Health    

Pay Grade:       114

FLSA Status:   Exempt   

Salary Range:  $46,862.40-72,633.60

JOB SUMMARY

The primary purpose of the WIC Program is the promotion of good dietary habits through nutrition education and supplemental foods tailored to the individual's need.  The population at risk includes pregnant, breastfeeding, postpartum women, and children to age five.  Referrals are made to other health department programs as well to programs, agencies, physicians within the community for necessary services.This position is required to counsel and educate clients in the WIC program regarding nutrition information related to pregnancy, the peripartum period, infancy, and childhood up to age 5.  The position provides professional nutrition services to community members enrolled in the Diabetes Prevention Program and to other community members on occasion as needed by the Department of Public Health

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Provides nutrition counseling & education to WIC clients according to their needs after assessing anthropometric, biochemical, clinical, dietary, and ecosocial data.  Provides nutrition care plans and follow-up contacts to meet WIC requirements.  Documents all activities in the CrossRoads electronic health record system.  Conducts nutrition education activities through individual counseling, group classes, or workshops.  Determines appropriate food packages for WIC participants.  Maintains a good working knowledge of WIC nutrition education rules, regulations, & procedures.  Conducts educational sessions for the Diabetes Prevention Program using motivational interviewing techniques.  Collects anthropometric measures for inclusion in data sent to Centers for Disease Control. Obtains appropriate consumer nutrition education materials for participants by keeping informed of current nutrition literature.  Plans & implements nutrition program for clients receiving services through the Health Department.  Provides nutrition consultation & in-service education to other agency staff having contact with program recipients.  Provides backup for clerical duties including, but not limited to, answering telephones, making appointments, issuing WIC benefits, and other programmatic functions of the WIC program.  Communicates with physicians regarding patient care and follow-up, including, but not limited to formula prescriptions and changes. Collects anthropometric measures on women, infants, and children enrolled in the WIC program.

QUALIFICATIONS

Registered Dietitian with the Commission on Dietetics Registration; or Master’s degree in Dietetics, Public Health Nutrition, or Nutrition; or graduation from a Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education- approved Didactic Program in Dietetics and two years nutrition experience; or Dietetic Technician, Registered with the Commission on Dietetics Registration with a bachelor’s degree in any subject area from an accredited four-year college or university and two years nutrition experience; or a Bachelor of Science degree in Dietetics, Public Health Nutrition or Community Nutrition from an accredited four-year college or university and two years nutrition experience

Required Licenses or Certifications:

Current Driver's License valid in the State of North Carolina

Additional Requirements:

None specified.                                                    

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Considerable knowledge of principles of normal and therapeutic nutrition are needed.  Considerable knowledge and skill in nutrition and dietary assessment techniques (anthropometric, biochemical, clinical, dietary, and ecosocial), and interpretation of data are required.  Knowledge of interrelationships between health and social service programs, and of appropriate community resources for referral clients is necessary. Knowledge of human behavior and techniques for effecting behavior change are essential for the position.  Skill in writing clear, concise entries using the Nutrition Care Process in clients' health/medical record is needed.  Skill in ability to understand an individual's socio-economic status and lifestyle with respect for individual differences is also needed. Interviewing and counseling skills are required.  Skill in ability to monitor and maintain quality standards of nutrition care using current standards of practice is necessary, and skill and ability to organize and manage time and resources is also essential to the position.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Moderate physical effort required with lifting educational equipment, supplies, and children.  Standing, kneeling, walking is also necessary at times. Daily noises which consist of children's voices, crying, and screaming.  Odors are present on daily basis due to certain patient's poor health habits, including dirty children, dirty diapers, and soured bottles. Additionally, there are odors present daily which result from routine disinfectant sprays and cleaning agents. Interaction with patients daily and exposure to various physical conditions and illnesses. Conditions will include exposure to distractions, communicable diseases, and inclement weather.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is generally performed indoors in a temperature-controlled climate.  The sound of children crying is a consistently present noise.  The employee will routinely be subject to the odor of soiled diapers.   Some clients may come into clinic when they are sick with communicable disease, thus exposing the employee to illness on a regular basis.