WIC Nutrition Specialist

Why work here?

As local public health, we protect and promote the highest level of health possible for the communities we serve. Our positive work culture is strengthened by our commitment to making all employees feel valued and respected.

Our values:

• Integrity
• Service Oriented
• Health Equity
• Communication
Community Engagement

What we offer:

• Family-first company culture
• 13 Paid Holidays
• Paid Days Off (PDO)
• Personal Days
• Competitive Insurance – 3 options to choose from
• Dental and Vision
• MERS Retirement Plan
• Professional Development opportunities
• Employer Paid Short/Long Term Disability and Life Insurance
• Weeks 5-12 50% paid Maternity/Paternity leave

Under general direction, completes health and nutrition screening and assessment for women, infants and children. Provides nutrition education, breastfeeding support and referrals for clients and families, serving as an integral part of multi-disciplinary maternal-child health and public health teams.

Essential Duties

• Completes assessment of nutrition, medical, anthropometric and laboratory data to identify individualized food packages, educational and referral needs.
• Evaluates, approves, assigns and documents special formulas for qualifying medical conditions.
• Performs height, weight and head circumference measurements as well as hemoglobin and lead laboratory tests for medical and nutritional risk assessment.
• Provides client centered services (CCS) education applying motivational interviewing techniques.
• Establishes and documents nutrition education plan by engaging clients. This includes engaging and setting behavioral changes and goals, and supporting commitment to success.
• Promotes, protects and supports breastfeeding initiation and duration among clients and the community. Display a positive attitude related to breastfeeding to clients and the general public.
• Provides breastfeeding support, education, intervention and referrals. This includes assessment, education and distribution of breast pumps.
• Identifies, assists and coordinates client referrals with public health and community partners.
• Documents all client medical and nutritional and educational information in the State WIC and agency electronic health record.
• Depending on profession or specialized training, may perform advanced treatments or consultations such as:
  a. Oral screening and fluoride varnish applications for children (Registered Nurses.)
  b. Advanced breastfeeding interventions and recommendations (Certified Lactation Educators, Specialists, and Consultants.)
• Conducts community outreach to support and increase participation in WIC and other public health programs.

Other Duties & Responsibilities

• May serve as the local agency representative for State work groups such as Breastfeeding, Nutrition Education and Promotion and Retention. IBCLC may serve as the district’s Breastfeeding Coordinator.
• Maintains up-to-date vaccines including flu (influenza,) in accordance with CDC guidelines: Recommended Vaccines for Healthcare Workers.

• Knowledge of theories and practices of professional body of knowledge in relevant field such as Nutrition, Dietetics, Nursing, or Home Economics (with nutrition emphasis,) as acquired through completion of a Bachelor of Science degree.
• Knowledge of community health, and competence in nutrition and/or breastfeeding assessment, support, and education at a level normally acquired through one year related experience.
• Registered Nurse: must be licensed by the Michigan Board of Nursing to practice.
• Ability to navigate and uses databases and electronic health record for assigned programs; and proficiency in Microsoft 365 applications.
• Self-motivated and works independently with minimal supervision.
• Applies critical thinking and problem-solving skills in client care and clinic operations.
• Communicates and works effectively with all levels of staff, clients and community partners.
• Engages clients from diverse socio-economic, cultural and educational backgrounds.
• Emotional and mental maturity and non-judgmental approach to achieve good working relationships with clients, families and co-workers.
• Works effectively in a team environment.
• Reliable transportation with valid Michigan driver’s license and certificate of insurance to travel to other locations for work, training, or meetings.