Nutritionist Associate

Title: Nutritionist Associate

State Role Title: Direct Service Associate II

Hiring Range: $33,000-$34,000

Pay Band: 2

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location: NEW RIVER HQ

Agency Website: www.vdh.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is dedicated to protecting and promoting the health of Virginians. The VDH is made up of a statewide Central Office in Richmond and 33 local health districts. The New River Health District provides public health services to the residents of Floyd County, Giles County, Montgomery County, Pulaski County and the City of Radford.

The Nutritionist Associate independently determines nutrition eligibility of applicants/clients within program guidelines and independently prescribes appropriate food packages. Assesses nutritional status/eligibility for program services by: Nutrition Assessment using VENA technique process/food frequency history, assessing growth patterns, weight patterns, biochemical values and medical history. Independently sets dietary goals based on the assessment. Provides patient counseling specific to the individual’s nutritional needs. Makes referrals for high risk counseling with Nutritionists when appropriate.

This is a restricted position, which is solely funded by the WIC grant for a 1 year period ending 9/30/2025. The availability of funding is reviewed before the grant expiration date and periodically thereafter. Continued employment is contingent on the continued availability of funds.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must complete required training to obtain the Certification as a Competent Professional Authority (CPA) within 6 months of hire
• Basic knowledge of nutrition and nutritional standards
• Ability to conduct interviews and collect information
• Ability to interpret, document, calculate, and compile routine data
• Experience providing patient education and/or communicating information to individuals
• Good communication skills, verbally and in writing, to interact with a variety of patients, peers, and supervisors
• Ability to work effectively individually and as a team member
• Experience multi-tasking and prioritizing workloads
• Skills using computer systems

Additional Considerations

• Training, job experience, or coursework in Nutrition, Dietetics, food services, or a related area preferred
• Bilingual in Spanish and English
• Experience obtaining blood samples/finger sticks, and taking heights and weights of individuals

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

VDH accepts only on-line applications. Faxed, mailed, or e-mailed applications will not be considered. Applications are accepted until 11:55 p.m. on the job closing date. Applications and/or resumes should include relevant work history which indicates your qualifications for this position.

Employment is contingent upon satisfactory results of a state and federal criminal history background check and the Department of Social Service’s Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry check, U.S. HHSIG Exclusion List check, employment reference check and E-Verify. Other financial, credit, driving, background checks or completion of Statement of Economic Interests may be required for certain positions.

It is the policy of the Commonwealth and VDH that all aspects of human resource management be conducted without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists); sex; color; national origin; religion; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; age; veteran status; political affiliation; disability; genetic information; and pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. VDH employees have a shared Code of Ethics, which can be found in the bottom banner of our website: www.vdh.virginia.gov.

If you have been affected by DHRM Policy 1.30 layoff and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card), you must submit the card before the closing date for this position. The Card may be submitted with the state application as an attachment.

As a V3 (Virginia Values Veterans) employer VDH Welcomes Veterans to apply!

Supplemental Questions: You may be required to respond to position-specific questions at the end of this application. This information will help us evaluate your credentials and qualifications for the job. Failure to respond to any questions may disqualify you from further consideration.

VDH requires all Health-Care Personnel (HCP) to provide documentation of immunization or evidence of immunity to the following: hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella; a one-time dose of tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine regardless of the interval since the last dose of tetanus-diphtheria (Td) vaccine was administered (Td or Tdap boosters shall be received every 10 years); and the current year's seasonal influenza vaccination.

Contact Information

Name: Nicole Altizer

Phone: 540-585-3327

Email: nicole.altizer@vdh.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.