WIC Nutritionist (RD) at Fond du Lac County in Wisconsin

Under general supervision of the Director of the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program performs specific tasks that require a Registered Dietitian provides nutrition services and education to individuals and families enrolled in the WIC Program following WIC state policy 10.21. This position may also serve as Nutrition Coordinator for the WIC Project.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Analytical/Assessment Skills

• Perform computer applications skills using the Wisconsin WIC program system (ROSIE).
• Assure quality nutrition services per United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Nutrition Services Standards.
• Works with WIC Director for compliance with nutrition policies and procedures per WIC Operational Manual.
• Assure the WIC participants receive monthly nutrition education per WIC Standards.
• Coordinate direct nutrition service to participants per policy.
• Implement all nutrition services policies in the Wisconsin WIC Operations Manual.
• Oversees all nutrition services at the local agency.
• Oversees nutrition services staff, including CPAs and other staff involved in the nutrition assessment or delivery of nutrition services. According to Policy 10.21A Nutrition Staff Monitoring.
• Review WIC computer-generated reports on an ongoing basis and utilize for program evaluation, needs assessment, and coordination/integration with other agencies.
• Evaluate potential participants nutritional status.
• Identify and prioritize health and dietary risk factors

Policy Development/Program Planning Skills

• Help in coordinating and planning outreach efforts.
• Utilize reports to help in maintaining caseload.

Communication Skills

• There is significant interaction with clients and other community service agencies.
• Make referrals to various services and programs in the community. Initiate appropriate health care and social service providers as needed.
• Provide nutrition assessment, counseling and education to participants. Utilize Value Enhanced Nutrition Assessment (VENA) approach.
• Experience utilizing motivational interviewing to assist participants with SMART goal creation.

Cultural Competency Skills

• Employ strategies to assure culturally-sensitive public health and health service delivery systems.
• Maintain a work environment that supports and accommodates the needs of breastfeeding mothers and their infants.
• Incorporate strategies for interacting with persons from diverse backgrounds and respond to diverse needs that are the result of cultural diversity.

Community Dimensions of Practice Skills

• Work with other agencies/programs to promote community health; including outreach efforts to promote the WIC program.
• Maintain a work environment that supports and accommodates the needs of breastfeeding participants, their infants and families.

Public Health Science Skills

• Perform health assessment, including height/weight, hemoglobin, lead and appropriate health counseling.
• Have a role in promoting and providing support for the successful initiation and continuation of breastfeeding.
• Keep abreast of latest nutrition and breastfeeding trends and research. Attend educational and training programs as needed. Obtaining at least 75 hours of continuing education every 5 years per identified training needs.
• Initiate referrals to appropriate health care and social service providers as needed.
• Respond to Public Health emergencies, as needed, including outside regular office hours.

Leadership and Systems Thinking Skills

• May provide direction to support staff in health department.
• Serve as a preceptor for dietetic interns.
• May be assigned to coordinate or manage projects, such as breast-feeding support program, vendor monitoring/training, fraud and abuse monitoring, and outreach coordination
• May serve as vendor contact for all vendor-related activities in the program and ensure vendor compliance with federal WIC program requirements.
• Demonstrate the ability to work independently, prioritize responsibilities, and complete duties with minimal supervision.

Direct Service Skills

• Responsible for completing all phases of client enrollment in the WIC program, including individual’s needs assessment using person-centered principles. Certify, refer and follow up high risk individuals.
• Provide nutrition counseling for qualifying women, infants and children; counsels high risk individuals concerning various health issues. Provide education services to WIC mothers related to breast-feeding.
• Provide education and support services to WIC mothers related to breast-feeding. Assess the needs of breast-feeding women for breast pumps. Issue pumps keeping accurate records.
• Assist clerical staff with client applications, scheduling appointments, answering phone, etc.
• Other duties may be required and assigned, including responding to an emergency event.

Minimum Training and Experience Required to Perform Essential Job Functions Refer to 10.21 Nutrition Services Staffing: Qualifications, Roles, and Responsibilities

Registered Dietitian (RD) (registered with the Commission on Dietetic Registration) or eligible for registration and pass the CDR registration within six months of hiring.

If designated project nutrition coordinator, refer to WIC policy 10.21.

Desired Knowledge and Abilities:

Understand the goals and objectives of the WIC Program in particular, and public health services in general. Respect the diversity of the population served by WIC, and have the ability to work effectively with a low income, multicultural population. Have breastfeeding competencies; knowledge and skills to screen, assess, counsel and educate, provide appropriate referrals, and support the breastfeeding goals of the WIC Program. Knowledge of adult learning theory and counseling skills.