WIC Nutritionist

Summary: 

The WIC Nutritionist shall provide accurate nutrition assessments, assigning of risk factors and provide appropriate nutrition education to all participants according to the state WIC program policies and procedures. Successful completion of State approved training must occur within time designated by the State WIC Office.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following:

• May coordinate nutrition and breastfeeding services provided to participants.
• Provides breastfeeding education and support to all participants.
• Provides participant-centered nutrition education and counseling for high-risk participants, completes the high-risk care plan and documents the nutrition education contact.
• Participates in conducting studies and surveys.
• Provides ‘All Required’ contact and certification and recertification.
• Provides recommendations for improvement of nutrition educational materials used in the WIC program.
• Obtains & documents demographic information, height/length, weight measurements, hemoglobin/hematocrit values, oral and nutrition assessments and other necessary medical and/or health information to certify WIC participants. Includes Missouri Dental Health Questions during assessments and documents in file.
• Determines health, medical and nutritional eligibility by assigning risk factors and explaining the certifying risk factors to the participant.
• Recommends appropriate supplemental foods, exempt formulas and WIC eligible medical foods in accordance with policies and procedures.
• Provides relevant health/nutrition information and referral services to participants and helps clients to set goal related to risk factors; includes substance abuse information at every certification and recertification.
• Participates in staff in-services and/or training sessions related to WIC policies/procedural changes.
• Determines participant's cycle for follow up.
• May act as the Breastfeeding Coordinator if assigned by the local WIC provider.
• Conducts train-the-trainer sessions on subjects determined by the State Office.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications : To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. State approved training is required.

Education and/or Experience : 

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree in public health nutrition, dietetics, nutrition, foods, home economics, or closely related field, including or supplemented by at least 15 semester hours in foods and nutrition including at least one (1) course in diet therapy and one (1) course community nutrition; 

or

A master's degree in public health nutrition, human nutrition, nutrition education, or dietetics; including or supplemented by at least 15 graduate or undergraduate semester hours in foods and nutrition including at least one (1) course in diet therapy and one (1) course in community nutrition;