SR DIETICIAN- NUTRITION

DIETITIAN

General Summary

Under the supervision of the Public Health Supervisor, plans, develops and implements, and evaluates the nutrition assessment and education component of Health Department programs. Enrolls and recertifies clients based on eligibility and anthropometric measurements as mandated by the Michigan Department of Community Health. Conducts nutritional assessments, prepares nutrition care plans, counsels clients, and serves as a nutrition resource person for departmental staff.

Essential Functions

1. Enrolls and recertifies Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) clients based on eligibility and anthropometric measurements as mandated by the Michigan Department of Community Health. Educates clients in medical and nutritional results of enrollment and recertification.
2. Conducts nutritional assessments and provides nutritional education services to participants of the WIC and Maternal Support Services and Infant Support Services (MSS/ISS) programs.
3. Educates and counsels high-risk clients on an individual basis taking into consideration medical and nutritional needs, laboratory results, cultural and personal preferences, finances, and client’s goals to prepare nutritional care plans.
4. Teaches group education sessions related to nutrition or oversees such training presented by other staff. Develops nutrition lesson plans, nutrition education handouts, pamphlets and visual aids. Reviews and updates nutrition education materials for use by the department.
5. Conducts home visits, providing nutrition counseling for pregnant and postpartum women and mothers of infants and children.
6. Discusses clients nutritional care and instruction with other staff involved in client care. Serves as nutrition resource person for all staff members compiling information, including pamphlets, booklets, articles, and other resources for use in nutrition programs.
7. Makes referrals to community agencies according to goals mandated by the Michigan Department of Community Health. Communicates with physicians, public health nurses, and other public health organizations regarding referrals and client follow-up.
8. Interprets laboratory results and prepares nutrition care plans accordingly.
9. Interprets state policies and procedures, develops the annual Nutrition Services Plan, and prepares for audits. Develops policies, procedures, and forms for nutrition related purposes and compiles various statistics, assisting in the preparation of reports for annual summaries.
10. Maintains records and files regarding services and activities and documents services by preparing requested reports.
11. Represents the department before interest groups to present nutrition education materials.
12. Ensures that clinical documentation regarding clients is kept secure and confidential and maintained consistent with Health Department policies and procedures.
13. Develops and implements breastfeeding education, promotion and support activities, including coordinating with other community breastfeeding programs. (WC)
14. Prepares and assists with MDHHS WIC Management Evaluation/Accreditation process and quality assurance, as well as ongoing assessment and implementation of corrective plans. (WC)
15. Manages the WIC Peer Counselors: including implementing, training and mentoring the peer counselors as well as coordinating services for reporting and budget. (BFC)

Other Functions

None listed

This list may not be inclusive of the total scope of job functions to be performed. Duties and responsibilities may be added, deleted or modified at any time.

Employment Qualifications

Education: Possession of a bachelor’s degree in Dietetics, or equivalent experience.

Experience: One to two years of professional experience as a Dietitian, preferably in a hospital or public health setting.

Qualifications:

Knowledge of current nutrition practice and principles, nutrition assessment process and procedures.

Knowledge of principles of life-cycle nutrition including issues specific to maternal/child nutrition.

Knowledge of best practices in breastfeeding promotion and support.

Knowledge of program (WIC) food, formula (including specialty formulas) and client needs

Knowledge of referral sources and eligibility, including immunization, lead screening, SNAP (food stamps), MIHP (Maternal Infant Health Program) and other community resources.

Knowledge of WIC risk criteria identification and verification.

Skill in interviewing, communication/rapport building, critical thinking and positive counseling approaches using client centered services.

Skill in documentation in the state electronic record system for WIC (MI-WIC).

Skill in presenting for staff training, record review and quality improvement.

Skill in evaluation of client materials including materials for clients with low literacy.

Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.

Ability to assign nutrition risk.

Other Requirements: Registration as a Dietitian by the American Dietetics Association.

The qualifications listed above are intended to represent the minimum skills and experience levels associated with performing the duties and responsibilities contained in this job description. The qualifications should not be viewed as expressing absolute employment or promotional standards, but as general guidelines that should be considered along with other job-related selection or promotional criteria.

FLSA Status: Exempt

Worker’s Compensation Code: 8835

Occupational Employment Statistical Code: 32521

Physical Requirements {This job requires the ability to perform the essential functions contained in this description. These include, but are not limited to, the following requirements and working conditions. Reasonable accommodations will be made for otherwise qualified applicants unable to fulfill one or more of these requirements}:

Prolonged standing while teaching.

Bending and stooping to access departmental files.

Ability to enter and retrieve information from a computer system.

Lifting and transporting materials and equipment weighing up to 30 lbs.

Working Conditions:

Works in office conditions and travels throughout the county to visit clients.

Salary : $29 - $41