Nutritionist - New Hire Incentive Available

SUMMARY: Serves WIC participants by determining eligibility of applicants, providing nutrition counseling/education, and making referral to other health and social services.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Be committed to the vision and mission of Community Progress Council.
• Prepare nutrition care plans for high-risk participants and document high-risk contacts.
• Prescribe food packages for participants.
• Deliver and document nutrition education.
• Participate in meetings and continuing education programs as appropriate to assigned job duties.
• Assure local agency compliance with requirements for documenting medical/nutritional risk status and all nutrition education services provided in participant files.
• Promote and support breastfeeding among WIC participants.
• Collects and interprets anthropometric data such as height, weight, and head circumference.
• Collects blood specimens and performs blood testing for hemoglobin/hematocrits in compliance with quality control standards and universal precautions.
• Reviews immunization records and enters data into MIS system.
• Complies with Motor Voter Act per state policies.
• Travels to satellite clinics and performs nutritionist responsibilities.
• Packs/unpacks supplies for travel to and from satellite clinics.
• Schedules participant appointments.
• Complete formula prescription changes as needed.
• All other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Competencies:

• Communication Skills – Oral and Written
• Customer Service – Internal and External
• Personal Responsibility
• Flexibility
• Cooperation/Teamwork
• Dependability
• Professionalism
• Leadership/Supervision

The Nutritionist shall demonstrate the following job skills and knowledge:

• Knowledge of basic principles and practices of nutrition and dietetics, both normal and clinical.
• Ability to present educational information through the use of a variety of methods such as written leaflets, posters, flip chart exhibits, slides, lectures, or food demonstrations, etc.
• Ability to present ideas clearly, both verbally and in writing, using language appropriate to the intended audience.
• Knowledge of anthropometric measurement and techniques and the use and interpretation of growth charts and gain in weight grids.
• Knowledge of correct hematological testing procedures.
• Knowledge of correct procedures for determining medical/nutritional risk and ability to analyze nutritional problems of individuals.
• Ability to interpret public health nutrition policies, procedures, and techniques to individuals and community groups.

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE: A minimum of one year’s experience is strongly recommended, or the individual may be supervised in the agency by the Nutrition Education Coordinator. One year of graduate work can replace the one year of experience.

QUALIFICATIONS: Be registered or eligible for registration with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: or have at least a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, with emphasis on one of the following: food and nutrition, community nutrition, public health nutrition, nutrition education, human nutrition, nutrition science, or equivalent.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS: Reliable transportation for regular and timely attendance as an essential job requirement. Ability to be reached by telephone in a timely manner. May be required to commence workday at different agency sites without compensation for travel time or mileage to the site and the return. Ability to respond to change in a productive manner and handle other tasks as assigned. Ability to work with diverse individuals.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference. Ability to apply concepts such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

REASONING ABILITY: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exist. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.

COMPUTER: Experience with Microsoft Office Suite in a Windows environment helpful and preferred.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS: Department of Human Services FBI Clearance, PA State

Criminal History, Childline Child Abuse Certification, and submission to the National Sex Offender Registry (NSOR) required prior to hire. A physical assessment including a tuberculosis skin test and the Child Abuse “Mandated Reporter” training due within 90-days of hire. Must have a valid driver's license with acceptable driving history.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, and feel; reach with hands and arms, and talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, and sit. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee may be required to lift up to 50 pounds. Close vision may be required.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and fumes or airborne particles. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.