Posting number: 511194
Department: Community Support & Outreach
Job classification: NUTRITIONIST
Posting type: Open
Categories: Community Services, Nutrition
The Nutritionist, under general supervision, provides comprehensive nutrition services to participants enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Responsibilities include conducting nutrition assessments, determining program eligibility, providing participant-centered nutrition education and counseling, prescribing WIC food benefits, promoting and supporting breastfeeding, maintaining accurate electronic medical records, and collaborating with healthcare providers and community partners. The Nutritionist ensures services are delivered in accordance with USDA, North Carolina WIC Program, county, and local agency policies while supporting positive maternal and child health outcomes.
Conducts comprehensive nutrition assessments utilizing anthropometric, biochemical, dietary, medical, developmental, and socioeconomic information.
Determines participant eligibility based on federal and state WIC nutrition risk criteria.
Completes WIC certification, recertification, and mid-certification assessments in accordance with program policies.
Accurately assesses height, weight, length, hemoglobin values, and Body Mass Index (BMI).
Develops individualized nutrition care plans based on participant needs.
Provides participant-centered nutrition education and counseling utilizing evidence-based practices and motivational interviewing techniques.
Provides nutrition education through individual counseling, group education, classes, printed materials, and other approved educational methods.
Teaches infant feeding and other nutrition education classes as assigned.
Promotes healthy eating behaviors throughout pregnancy, infancy, and early childhood.
Determines and issues appropriate WIC food benefits in accordance with federal and state regulations, ensuring that food packages that reflect participants' nutritional needs, medical conditions, and breastfeeding status.
Promotes and supports breastfeeding as the normal and preferred method of infant feeding.
Provides breastfeeding education during pregnancy and postpartum visits, assists participants with common breastfeeding concerns and provides referrals to lactation specialists or healthcare providers as appropriate.
Encourages informed infant feeding decisions through evidence-based education.
Documents all participant encounters accurately, completely, and timely within the electronic health record.
Maintains compliance with USDA, NC WIC Program, state, county, and local agency policies and procedures.
Protects participants’ confidentiality in accordance with program requirements.
Communicates and coordinates care with physicians, healthcare providers, hospitals, and community agencies as appropriate to initiate and respond to requests for medical documentation and nutrition-related information.
Provides nutrition-related presentations and outreach activities within the community as requested.
Attends required trainings, staff meetings, and continuing education activities.
Assists with clinic operations, including obtaining anthropometric measurements, when needed.
Performs other duties as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience:
Graduation from a Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education- approved Didactic Program in Dietetics; or Dietetic Technician, Registered with the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education with a Bachelor’s degree in any subject area from an accredited four-year college or university; or a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Dietetics, Public Health Nutrition or Community Nutrition from an accredited four-year college or university.
Licenses or Certifications:
Must have a valid Driver's License and be able to maintain a safe driving history as defined by the Union County Vehicle Use Policy.
Special Requirements:
TRANSCRIPTS ARE REQUIRED.
In order to perform work in this role, within (30) thirty days of employment you must provide immunization records, provide proof of immunity, or receive/start the required vaccination series, as applicable, along with complying with any necessary screenings, as required by the Union County Division of Public Health and its Healthcare Personnel Immunization and Tuberculosis Screening Policy, in accordance with applicable law.
This position may be subject to a fingerprint background check. Per NC General Statute 153A-94.2(b), applicants for a position of employment required to work with children in any capacity will be required to electronically submit fingerprints to the NC State Bureau of Investigation for a state and national criminal history record.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Must be physically able to operate a variety of machinery and equipment including computers, calculators, printers, binding sets, pallet jacks, copiers, postage machines, etc. Must be physically able to operate a motor vehicle. Must be able to exert up to 30 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for Sedentary Work. Light Work usually requires walking or standing to a significant degree. However, if the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for Sedentary Work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for Light Work.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Work is performed in a safe and secure work environment that may periodically have unpredicted requirements or demands.
This is the official LinkedIn profile for Union County Government. Visit unioncountync.gov for information on county departments, services, programs, job openings, and more. Union County is one of the fastest-growing counties in the Carolinas. Union County has something for everyone and offers its own distinct pride and character. We serve nearly 240,000 residents with services such as law enforcement, water and wastewater utilities, planning, zoning, tax administration, emergency services, parks and recreation, agricultural support, and many others. With the perfect blend of rural and suburban lifestyles, Union County has vast professional, cultural and educational opportunities that make it an ideal place to live, work and play.
