The nutritionist shall conduct nutrition assessments, assign risk factors and provide appropriate nutrition and breastfeeding education to all participants according to the state WIC program policies and procedures. The nutritionist may assist with the day-to-day supervision of any WIC staff, including a clerk, health professional assistant (HPA), competent professional authority (CPA) or nutritionist regarding program standard eligibility duties and activities.
Primary Functions:
Conducts individual counseling and group education classes in nutrition and health promotion.
Assist in preparing and implementing nutrition education plans and providing appropriate educational materials.
Assesses and monitors client dietary intake and nutritional status; addresses nutritional or health related concerns.
Obtains and documents demographic information, height/length, weight, hemoglobin and hematocrit, oral assessment, nutrition assessment and other necessary medical and/or health information to certify WIC participants.
Determines program eligibility, assigns risk factors, sets appropriate nutritional goals and issues WIC benefits to clients.
Refers patients to other health or social services and maintains communication to assure coordination.
Monitors daily phone calls, appointments, patient files and monthly reports.
Prescribes appropriate food packages, exempt formulas and WIC-eligible nutritional in accordance with policies and procedures.
Participate in staff in-services and/or training sessions related to WIC policies/procedural changes.
Provides breastfeeding education and support to all participants. a. Completes breastfeeding assessments. b. May issue manual and electric breast pumps to breastfeeding participants. c. May act as the breastfeeding coordinator if assigned by the local agency.
Education/ Qualification Requirements:
Must meet one of the following qualifications:
Bachelor’s or master’s degree in the field of nutrition from an accredited college or university, including or supplemented by at least 15 semester hours in food and nutrition, including nutrition counseling, nutrition education (theories and practices), nutrition in the life cycle and food science; OR
Completion of an undergraduate curriculum accredited or approved by The Academy of Nutrition and DieteticsAccreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) resulting in a verification statement from a Didactic Program in Nutrition and Dietetics, OR
Completion of a dietetic internship program accredited or approved by ACEND resulting in a verification statement; OR 4. Registered dietitian (RD), licensed dietitian (LD) in the state of Missouri (registration or current eligibility for by the Commission on Dietetic Registration [CDR]).
Nutrition Education Requirements:
Registered, licensed dietitians (RD/LD) must maintain active registration and Missouri licensing from a participating board for monitoring purposes.
Dietetic technician registered (DTR) with a bachelor’s degree must maintain active registration from a participating board for monitoring purposes.
Nutritionists (other than RDs and DTRs) must complete a total of six nutritional or breastfeeding-related CEUs per federal fiscal year (FFY). One CEU must be breastfeeding-related.
Experience & Qualifications:
Working knowledge of the principles and practices of nutrition and food, particularly in relation to health and disease.
Knowledge of the benefits of breastfeeding and understanding of how to support the breastfeeding mother.
Some knowledge of social, cultural and economic problems and their impact on public health nutrition.
Ability to gather and analyze the data and accurately input into computer database.
Ability to handle multiple tasks.
Good oral and written communication skills including the preparation of the brief narrative reports.
Demonstration of rapport building by establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with WIC participants, WIC team members and other health and social services personnel.
Preferred:
One year’s experience as a public health nutritionist.
One year’s counseling and customer service experience desired.
- Medical benefits (including a Health Savings Account option), dental and vision
- 401(k) retirement plan with company match
- Company-paid benefits such as life insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, and Short- and Long-Term Disability
- Flexible Spending Account
- Paid Days Off beginning at 12 days annually, effective the first day of employment
- Eight annual company-paid holidays; One annual paid personal day.
About Swope Health Services:
Each year, Swope Health serves over 45,000 patients, encompassing more than 200,000 visits in four counties on both sides of the state line. Our team members are proud of the work we do and the promise we've made – delivering coordinated care that values the needs of the whole person and championing better health in our community.
Swope Health is a special place that cares for the people who need it most, wherever they are in the community. As part of our promise to battle health inequities and provide high-quality, comprehensive care, we make care visible. That means we proudly deliver our promise through every action, every day.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
