WIC Dietitian

Job Title: Dietitian I

Job Status: Full-time

Bilingual: Arabic preferred

Job Summary: Under limited supervision, the Dietitian I or Nutritionist uses intermediate skills obtained through experience and training to provide nutritional counseling to low-income women, infants and children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk by providing nutritious food plans to supplement diets, information on healthy eating and referrals to healthcare and/or community providers. Follows established procedures to screen, assess, evaluate and monitor individuals at nutritional and/or social risk and counsels individuals regarding nutrition and/or social support. Based on assigned functional area, programs operate according to federal guidelines or the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) Maternal Infant Health Program (MIHP) guidelines.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct nutrition assessments on clients and develop nutrition care plans specific to their needs in which assessments may be conducted on ACCESS property or in client’s homes based on assigned functional area
• Collect pertinent health and medical information as well as make referrals and appointments for clients
• Serve as client advocate and may coordinate care for clients based on assigned functional area
• Provide nutrition education to individual client and groups and may develop food package prescription for clients within federal guidelines
• Review, interpret and explain to program participants the policies and procedures of the nutrition program
• Document health, social and nutritional risk factors and services provided based on assigned functional area
• Develop and update educational materials for use by patients utilizing the principles of cultural diversity and when interacting with program participants
• Plan and conduct food service and/or nutritional programs to assist in the promotion of health and control of disease
• Maintain HIPAA compliance
• Participate in emergency preparedness exercises and training
• Participate in patient reviews, staff meetings and training
• Maintain currency on new developments in the nutrition field as mandated by the American Dietetic Association
• Follow the funding sources requirements and the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) standards applicable to the services provided
• May issue Women, Infants and Children (WIC) benefits and explain approved foods and authorized vendors based on assigned functional area
• May participate in time studies, nutrition education pilot programs and breastfeeding initiatives as required based on assigned functional area
• May participate in grant proposal writing and submission
• Operate standard office equipment and use required software applications
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Nutritional guidelines and standards of the federal WIC program or the State MIHP program based on assigned functional area
• Nutritional risk standards and how to appropriately refer clients based on nutritional risks identified
• Fundamental knowledge of concepts, practices and procedures used in nutrition education and counseling as well as in public health working with high risk populations based on assigned functional area
• Basic knowledge of training design and delivery for individuals and groups

Skill in:

• Intermediate mathematic skills
• Operating standard office equipment and using required software applications for program area and other applications, including Microsoft Office

Ability to:

• Actively listen
• Talk to others to convey information effectively
• Communicate effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience
• Use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems
• Instruct or teach others how to do something
• Speak, read and write English
• Speak, read and write Arabic is preferred
• Partner with other functional areas to accomplish objectives
• Provide a high level of customer service
• Maintain a professional working relationship with clients and co-workers

Educational/Previous Experience Requirements:

• Minimum Degree Required:

• Bachelor’s degree

• Required Disciplines:
  • Nutrition, Dietetics or related field

~and~

• Minimum of 1-2 years of experience in nutrition, dietetics or other related health field or any equivalent combination of experience, education and/or training approved by Human Resources

Licenses/Certifications:

• Licenses/Certifications Required at Date of Hire:
  • May be required to be a Registered Dietitian (RD, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist or RD-eligible with examination pending in six months or less) or meets registration requirements administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration based on assigned functional area
  • May be required to have completed dietetic internship approved by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in order to work with high risk/high priority clients

Working Conditions:

Hours: Normal business hours, some additional hours may be required

Travel Required: Local and in-state travel, up to 25%

Working Environment: Climate controlled office