Nutritionist I

WIC PROGRAM

Salary Grade:

63

Salary Range:

$ 31,930 – $ 41,510 – $ 51,090 (hiring range)

Closing Date:

Open until filled

Location:

Rutherford County, NC

Description of Work:

• The nutritionist’s primary role is to provide nutrition services to clients eligible for the Women, Infant, and Children Special Supplemental Food Program (WIC) in Rutherford and McDowell Counties. These services include certifying for WIC program eligibility, direct nutrition education, counseling, and outreach.
• This position is responsible for interviewing, assessing, counseling and certifying clients for WIC nutrition services. The Nutritionist will function as a team member of the Foothills Health District.
• Interview and assess clients by collecting appropriate data, evaluating the client’s current and past Anthropometric (height, weight, BMI, birth weight, birth length, parental BMI), Biochemical (hemoglobin, blood lead), Clinical and Medical history (pregnancy history, substance abuse, medical conditions, medications, immunizations, and other information), Dietary (concerns, food availability, appropriate foods and practices for age, special diet, food safety, dietary supplements, oral health, and intake), and Eco-social (food security, working stove/refrigerator/microwave, breastfeeding support, drug/alcohol abuse, foster care, or caretaker abilities).
• Develop a plan of care along with clients.
• Assign appropriate food packages.
• Motivate clients to change nutrition behaviors, being able to communicate nutrition information in a manner clients can understand and use, especially when low-literacy or non-English speaking.
• Record information in medical records and/or WIC system.

Minimum 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 of Science Degree in Dietetics, Public Health Nutrition or Community Nutrition from an accredited four-year college or university.

Necessary Special Qualifications:

Specialized knowledge in principles and application of nutrition and dietetics to improve health outcomes. Knowledge of relevant medical terminology and skill in documenting in the medical record. Ability to deliver nutrition education programs and communicate with individuals and small groups. General knowledge of behavior change theory and learning theory. General knowledge of life-cycle nutrition with preference for knowledge of maternal and child nutrition, and lactation.