Assistant

Job Responsibilities

Careers at DPH: Work that makes a difference! Embracing service, inspiring innovation, promoting teamwork, pursuing excellence, and advancing equity.

Under the direct supervision of the Nutritionist Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Team Leader Supervisor or the WIC Nutrition Services Coordinator perform WIC certification, breastfeeding promotion and support, individual low risk nutrition education and health promotion, and group nutrition education. Deliver services to clients and families in clinics, schools, hospitals or office settings. Provide assistance and education to participants/families on contract and List I Special Formulas. Provide technical assistance and consultation to staff as part of the multidisciplinary team delivering care to clients.

Assessment and Certification: Complete WIC certifications and midcertifications 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. Provide participants with information about the WIC program and how to redeem benefits. Schedule upcoming WIC appointments. Perform hemoglobin controls as needed in accordance with Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) and Agency standards.

Nutrition Education: Provide participant centered nutrition education, counseling, and follow-up for participants. Develop mutual nutrition and physical activity goals with client during certification and midcertification. Refer clients to web-based nutrition education. Plan, conduct, and evaluate group nutrition education classes using the facilitated learning process. Document nutrition education contacts.

Food Packages, Special Formulas, and Reports: Prescribe, update, and explain food packages. Tailor formula package for partially breastfeeding infants. Document changes to the WIC food package in SCWIC. Issue benefits during certification, midcertification, nutrition education encounters and as needed from SCWIC reports. Approve List I Formulas. Provide assistance to families with infants on contract and List I formulas including education, dispensing, and monitoring as assigned. Refer participants on List II and metabolic formulas to the registered dietitian according to WIC guidelines. Pull and complete reports in SCWIC.

Breastfeeding Promotion and Support: Provide breastfeeding promotion and support to pregnant and breastfeeding women. Screen and refer E pregnant and breastfeeding women and infants to the breastfeeding staff according to the Referral Guidelines. Issue and monitor breast pumps and breastfeeding supplies.

Outreach: Provide consultation and technical assistance to other members of the multi-disciplinary health care team and community in areas M related to normal nutrition, including health promotion and disease prevention. Participate 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.

Professional Development and Training: Update professional skills and knowledge to assure delivery of quality nutrition services. Participate M in continuing education opportunities. Complete and maintain certification(s) required for the position. Participate in continuing education, WIC trainings, region in-service programs, and agency required trainings to enhance job-related knowledge and skills. Complete and maintain Certified Lactation Consultant credential if 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 with 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: Bachelor's in Science or Bachelor's in Arts. 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.

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.

Preferred Qualifications

Nutrition experience is preferred but not required.

Additional Comments

EEO: 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.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION: Applicants needing accommodation for medical reasons or a sincerely held religious belief may submit a request for accommodation. A reasonable accommodation may be granted if it doesn't impose an undue hardship or pose a direct threat to the health and safety of others.

STATE DISASTER PLAN: In accordance with the State's Disaster Plan, which includes hazardous weather, Department of Public Health employees may be required to work in times of an emergency or disaster.

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.

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.

The South Carolina Department of Public Health offers an exceptional benefits package for Temporary Grant Employees (TGE) positions that includes:

• 15 days Annual (Vacation) Leave per year
• 15 days Sick Leave per year
• 13 Paid Holidays
• Health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance for employees, spouse, and children.
• S.C. Deferred Compensation Program available (S.C. Deferred Compensation)
• Retirement benefit choices *

*Enrollment in one of the listed plans is required for all Temporary Grant Employees (TGE); please refer to the contribution section of hyperlinked retirement sites for the current contribution rate of gross pay.

HYBRID WORK: The option to work partially remote or adjusted work hours may be available after 12 months of employment for approved positions.