Nutritionist

DESCRIPTION: Counsel individuals and groups on nutritional practices designed to prevent/manage disease and promote good health. Evaluates individual needs; develop nutritional care plans; instruct individuals and their families; performs nutrition screenings; and offers advice on diet-related concerns such as weight loss, cholesterol, diabetes and other chronic diseases/conditions.

SUPERVISION: Supervised by Chief of Clinical Services for operations and supervised by Registered Dietitian for clinical purposes.

TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Requires prolonged sitting, standing, long hours, lifting up to 25 pounds. Travel required.

FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assess nutritional needs, diet restrictions and current health plans, to develop and implement dietary-care plans and provide nutritional counseling.
• Consult with physicians and health care personnel to determine nutritional needs and diet restrictions of patient.
• Advise patients and their families on nutritional principles, dietary plans and diet modifications, and food selection and preparation.
• Counsel individuals and groups on basic rules of good nutrition, healthy eating habits, and nutrition monitoring to improve their quality of life.
• Develop policies (related to diet and nutrition) for disease management programs to assist in health promotion and disease control.
• Develop curriculum and prepare manuals, visual aids, course outlines, and other materials used in teaching.
• Coordinate diet counseling services.
• Plan and conduct training programs in dietetics, and nutrition, health-care personnel, health promoters and the general public.
• Function as part of a team while being self-motivated and self-directed.
• Maintains strict confidentiality of patient information and patient records.
• Serves as resource and nutrition specialist for the behavioral health program and the Diabetes Self-Management Education Program staff.
• Supports CMO in program development, implementation and oversight.
• Able to successfully interact with people from diverse backgrounds and occupations.
• Travels to all four clinic sites as requested.
• Maintains strict confidentiality of patient information and patient records.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in nutrition, health sciences or related field required.
• Three years' experience in nutritional education and disease management teaching/counseling.
• Active affiliation with appropriate Dietetic networks and organizations, e.g. American Dietetic Association (ADA), Texas Dietetic Association, etc.
• Must have a current BLS certificate.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Above-average oral and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of goals and general methods of practices used by other professionals, including teaching skills.
• Ability to exercise good judgment.
• Managerial level computer skills in a Microsoft Windows environment. Must include Excel and

skills in database management and record keeping.

• Evidence of the practice of a high level of confidentiality.
• Excellent organizational skills.

HUMAN RIGHTS:

Gateway Community Health Center, Inc. does not discriminate regardless of race, color, marital status, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental handicap or disability, age Vietnam era veteran status, or other grounds as applicable federal, state and local laws or regulations.