WIC Nutrition Educator LTE

Job Summary:
Under the supervision of the WIC Director, this part-time 24-29 hour per week position assesses the health and nutritional risk factors of clients and determines eligibility for the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program. The Nutrition Educator educates participants in basic nutritional principles and implements healthy eating strategies.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

As a member of the WIC program and health department, this position will work under the 10 essential public health services framework to provide the following duties:
Assessment
1. Monitor health status and understand health issues facing the community
• As one of the agency’s Competent Professional Authority (CPA), assess the health and nutritional needs and status of clients enrolled in the WIC Program. Identifies and prioritizes health and dietary risk factors. Formulates dietary goals and care plans for individuals, families and groups served.
2. Protects people from health problems and hazards
• Monitors client immunization records to ensure clients are up to date on recommended vaccines.
• Performs anthropometric and hematological measurements as needed to ensure results are within normal limits.
Policy Development
3. Give people the information they need to make healthy choices
• Provides appropriate individual and group nutrition education in accordance to WIC Program Guidelines.
• Facilitates WIC Breastfeeding Program Initiative.
4. Engage the community to identify and solve health problems
• Represents the WIC program and health department at designated meetings and community events.
• Works collaboratively with other nutrition and health service agencies in the area of health and nutritional education.
5. Develop public health policies and plans
• Implements and evaluates evidence-based nutrition education programs per WIC program guidelines and direction from the WIC Director.
• Assists the WIC Director in conducting periodic assessments and evaluation of WIC plans, goals, and objectives against local health and dietary needs of clients.
Assurance
6. Enforce public health laws and regulations
• Observes and reports signs of abuse or neglect.
7. Help people receive health services
• Performs administrative and clerical duties as assigned by the WIC Director including: scheduling appointments, maintain client records, answer any WIC related concerns and questions, assist in WIC satellite coverage.
• Provides appropriate referrals for other health and social care services as directed by WIC Director.
8. Maintain a competent public health workforce
• Attend and participate in training opportunities that further build capacity and skills pertinent for nutrition education.
• Assumes designated responsibility for WIC program decisions with assistance from the Health Officer in the absence of the WIC Director.
9. Evaluate and improve programs
• Evaluate WIC data for program evaluation, quality assurance, needs assessment, coordination/integration and other management purposes.
• Under the direction of the WIC Director, prepares reports and activity summaries detailing services provided, breakouts of client characteristics, and objective outcomes in accordance with WIC Guidelines.
System Management
10. Contribute to and apply the evidence base of public health
• Model Be-PC (Being Person Centered) skills across all aspects of WIC service delivery.
• Actively participate in the local health department national accreditation process.
• Perform public health preparedness duties as assigned in the Public Health Emergency Response Plan.

Work Requirements:

-Bachelor’s Degree (with DTR credential) in Nutritional Sciences, Community Nutrition, Clinical Nutrition, Dietetics, Public Health Nutrition or Home Economics with emphasis in Nutrition or Registered Dietetic Technician or Associates Degree in Dietetic Technician. The Nutrition Educator must meet the qualifications and requirements specified for a competent professional authority (CPA) per WIC Policy 10.21.

-At least one year of working in a WIC program or related public health agency.