What are the responsibilities and job description for the WIC Nutrition Specialist position at District Health Department No 10?
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.