Assistant Nutritionist -Women, Infant & Children (WIC) - 61008535
State of South CarolinaJob Responsibilities
Pursuing Excellence, Inspiring Innovation, Promoting Teamwork, Embracing Service.Under the direct supervision of the Nutritionist III Supervisor or the Health Dept. Manager, performs Women, Infant & Children (WIC) certifications, breastfeeding promotion and support, individual low risk nutrition education and health promotion, and group nutrition education. Delivers services to clients and families in clinics, schools, hospitals or office settings. Provides assistance and education to participants/families on contract and List I Special Formulas. Provides technical assistance and consultation to staff as part of the multidisciplinary team delivering care to clients.
Job Duty - Assessment and Certification: Completes WIC certifications and mid-certifications including health history, nutrition assessment, anthropometrics, immunization screening, hemoglobin or hematocrit testing, evaluation of risk status, prescription of WIC food package, documentation, and referrals following program standards and protocols. Provides participants with information about the WIC program and how to redeem benefits. Schedules upcoming WIC appointments. Performs hemoglobin controls as needed in accordance with Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) and Agency standards.Job Duty – Nutrition Education: Provides participant centered nutrition education, counseling, and follow-up for participants. Develops mutual nutrition and physical activity goals with client during certification and mid-certification. Refers clients to web-based nutrition education. Plans, conducts, and evaluates group nutrition education classes using the facilitated learning process. Documents nutrition education contacts.Job Duty - Food Packages, Special Formulas, and Reports: Prescribes, updates, and explains food packages. Tailors formula package for partially breastfeeding infants. Documents changes to the WIC food package in SCWIC. Issues benefits during certification, mid-certification, nutrition education encounters and as needed from SCWIC reports. Approves List I Formulas. Provides assistance to families with infants on contract and List I formulas including education, dispensing, and monitoring as assigned. Refers participants on List II and metabolic formulas to the registered dietitian according to WIC guidelines. Pulls and completes reports in SCWIC.Job Duty - Breastfeeding Promotion and Support: Provides breastfeeding promotion and support to pregnant and breastfeeding women. Screens and refers pregnant and breastfeeding women and infants to the breastfeeding staff according to the Referral Guidelines. Issues and monitor breast pumps and breastfeeding supplies.Job Duty - Outreach: Provides consultation and technical assistance to other members of the multi-disciplinary health care team and community in areas related to normal nutrition, including health promotion and disease prevention. Participates as a member of the multi-disciplinary WIC team in clinic/class scheduling, caseload monitoring, and outreach. Work with other program staff and disciplines to enhance integration and quality of service.Job Duty - Professional Development and Training: Updates professional skills and knowledge to assure delivery of quality nutrition services. Participates in continuing education opportunities. Completes and maintains certification(s) required for the position. Participates in continuing education, WIC trainings, region in-service programs, and agency required trainings to enhance job-related knowledge and skills. Completes and maintains Certified Lactation Consultant credential if required for the job duties. Prepares and submits reports and documents as required.Minimum and Additional Requirements
State Minimum Requirements: Bachelor's degree in nutrition, food science, dietetics, family and consumer sciences or other science related degree with emphasis on nutrition. An associate degree in science relevant nutrition experience in a clinical or public health setting may substitute for the required bachelor's degree.
Institutions of Higher Learning must be recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Agency Additional Requirements: B.S. or B.A. degree in Nutrition, Foods and Nutrition, Family and Consumer Sciences, Home Economics, Health Promotion or other approved nutrition or health-related degree. Associate degrees in science with two (2) years of relevant nutrition experience in a clinical, public health or institutional setting will be accepted upon HR approval. Relevant nutrition experience will be considered in lieu of educational requirements.
Knowledge of the principles and practices of normal nutrition related to the maternal, infant, and child population. Must have or be willing to be trained in the specialized technical skills required to collect screening information and anthropometric measurements. Able to provide nutrition education, health promotion, and disease prevention education to clients. Has the ability to work effectively with people from a variety of socioeconomic, racial, ethnic and educational backgrounds. This position requires practical knowledge of the principles of adult learning. Has the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with members of public. Must have good oral and written communication skills, good interpersonal skills, and committed to providing excellent customer service.
The employee must have a valid SC Driver’s License and be willing to use their personal car to travel to clinic sites in the region. The standard work week is 37.5 hours and may require some flexibility to meet the needs of clients and staff health clinics, including evening and weekends. Must be able to lift 30 pounds. The employee must participate in preparation and response to emergencies/disasters as required by the supervisor, region public health director and/or agency director.
Preferred Qualifications
Women, Infant & Children (WIC) Nutrition Experience is preferred but not required.
Additional Comments
Immunization: All new employees who are healthcare providers are required to provide documentation of immunity or be immunized against Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Pertussis, Varicella, and Hepatitis B prior to beginning employment.
State Disaster Plan: In accordance with the State's Disaster Plan, which includes hazardous weather, DPH employees may be required to work in times of an emergency or disaster.
College Transcripts: Applicants indicating college credit or degree(s) on the application may upload an unofficial copy of the transcript as an attachment to the application. Please note that the agency will require an official, certified copy of the transcript or diploma prior to hiring.
Driving Record: If this position requires the applicant to possess a valid driver's license to operate a state vehicle or personal vehicle, any applicant being considered in the final stages of selection for the position will be required to provide a certified copy of a 10-year driving record.
The South Carolina Department of Public Health offers an exceptional benefits package for FTE positions that includes:
• Health, Dental, Vision, Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance for Employee, Spouse, and Children
• 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year
• 15 days sick leave per year
• 13 paid holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• State Retirement Plan and Deferred Compensation Programs
• HYBRID WORK: The option to work partially remote or adjusted work hours may be available after six (6) months of employment for approved positions.
The Department of Public Health is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions including, but not limited, to lactation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, or genetic information.