WIC Nutritionist

Nutritionist

Under the supervision of the WIC (Women Infant and Children) Supervisor, the Nutritionist ensures availability and accessibility of WIC program benefits to current and prospective participants. WIC Nutritionists assess, counsel and educate families about lifecycle nutrition and provide referrals for health services and community resources.

Core business hours are Monday through Friday 8:00am to 4:30 pm. Extended hours WIC operations occur every Tuesday until 6:00 pm. Work schedule flexibility to work outside core business hours, which include evenings and weekends.

Outagamie County offers benefit options and paid time off for team members that work 20+ or more hours per week.

Key Responsibilities

The following duties are most critical for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Utilizes critical thinking skills to assess health and nutrition status of pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women; infants, and children to be enrolled in the WIC Program following Federal and State guidelines.
• Identifies and prioritizes health and nutrition risk factors; identifies risk factors that require referral and follow-up; develops plan of care based on identified risk factors.
• Applies evidence based nutrition interventions to provide education and assist WIC participant to set behavior goals to improve identified health and nutrition risks.
• Provides breast-feeding education and support based on evidence based practices and State WIC curriculum.
• Determine appropriate nutrition benefits for participant, issue benefits, provide education to families on benefits and benefit use in the grocery store. Assess benefit use prior to nutrition education and benefit issuance to assure understanding of using WIC Benefits.
• Provides individualized non-certification nutrition education contacts per WIC program policies.
• Plans, implements and evaluates outreach activities to eligible families in the community.
• Complete timely, accurate and case documentation in electronic systems and/or paper charts in accordance with WIC/Division policies and procedures.
• Uses acceptable abbreviations and nomenclature to document identified risk factors, nutrition education, and referrals in participants' files.
• Performs anthropometric/hematological measurements of participants as needed.
• Assesses the immunization status of program participants and provides referrals as indicated.
• Recruits and provides coaching to participants enrolled in the Fit Families Program.
• Trains and monitors retail and Farmers' Market Nutrition Program vendors as required by State regulations.
• Promotes and evaluates Farmer's Market Nutrition Program.
• Aids in development, implementation and evaluation of outcome based objectives.
• Participates in quality assurance activities to assure quality and consistency of services.
• Participates in interdisciplinary case conferences.
• Attends professional development programs to maintain required continuing education credits.
• Provides learning experiences for student nurses/dietetic interns.
• Maintains emergency preparedness core Public Health competencies by participating in preparedness training exercises and planning events.
• Maintains regular and predictable attendance, works overtime/extra hours as required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education/Certifications/Experience Requirements

• Bachelors or Master's Degree in Dietetics, Food and Nutrition, or a Registered Dietetic Technician, required
• Registered Dietitian, or registration-eligible, passing the registration exam within six months of hire and certified in Wisconsin, preferred
• Or any combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge skills and abilities.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.

Required or Preferred Skills

• Knowledge of the Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals.
• Knowledge of and maintenance of Public Health Preparedness and Response Core Competencies by participating in preparedness training, exercises, planning events and responding to actual events.
• Ability to operate general office equipment such as copy machine, FAX machine, personal computer, telephone, etc.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, divide, calculate decimals and percents, and make use of the principles of descriptive statistics.
• Ability to comprehend and interpret a variety of documents, including pertinent State and Federal rules and regulations.
• Ability to prepare a variety of documents including reports, required documentation and referrals.
• Ability to effectively communicate and understand and follow written and oral instructions.
• Ability to communicate effectively with co-workers, County Officials, all socioeconomic groups and the general public, etc. verbally and in writing.
• Ability and skill to work independently prioritizing work to meet mandates; ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.
• Ability to conduct interactive interviews and obtain information in a non-judgmental manner.
• Ability to evaluate nutritional needs.
• Knowledge of nutrition and dietary education, and community health resources.
• Knowledge of and ability to use computer software and applications used by the department and program.
• Ability to stoop, bend, stretch; push, pull and lift up to 35 pounds regularly and up to 40 pounds occasionally, understanding and utilizing proper body mechanics.

Benefits

Outagamie County offers a comprehensive and highly competitive benefits package to its employees. Levels of benefits can vary based on employment status and employee group.

Medical Coverage: Outagamie County currently offers eligible employees a Low-Deductible Health Plan and a High Deductible Health Plan with a Health Savings Account (HSA). Each of these plans are available for single or family coverage at affordable rates.

Dental Coverage: Eligible employees may choose either single, limited family, or family coverage.

Vision Coverage: Outagamie County offers single, employee plus one, employee plus children, and family voluntary vision insurance for those that are benefit eligible. Vision insurance coverage provides an opportunity for employees to save money on routine vision exams, contacts, eyeglass frames, and lenses.

Life Insurance: Outagamie County provides group life insurance for full-time employees. The cost of this coverage is paid for in full by the County.

Voluntary Short-Term Disability Insurance: Short-Term Disability pays the employee a portion of his or her income for a specified period of time, as determined by the plan. The Short-Term Disability plan provides coverage for injuries and illnesses that occur outside of work. The premium for this coverage is paid entirely by the employee and is available to active employees that meet the hours threshold requirements.

Long-Term Disability Insurance: All regular, non-union full-time employees are eligible for long-term disability coverage. Premiums are fully paid by the County.

Wisconsin Retirement System: Wisconsin Retirement Program helps provide for financial security during retirement. Monthly annuity payments at retirement are calculated using years of creditable service, average earnings (based on three highest years of earnings), formula factors, age at retirement and selected annuity option. The retirement plan consists of two parts: an employee-required portion and an employer-required portion. Outagamie County pays the employer portion, and employees are responsible for paying the employee-required portion, which is determined by the state each year. Enrollment is required for eligible employees. Eligibility is determined based on Wisconsin Retirement System plan rules.

Deferred Compensation: Deferred Compensation allows employees to set aside pre-tax earnings toward retirement. Employees can save up to 100% of their compensation, to a maximum of $23,500 annually, or as little as $10.00 per paycheck. The amount deferred reduces year-end state and federal income tax base. All the earnings will accrue tax-deferred until such time as the assets are withdrawn, generally at retirement, termination, or other special circumstances. There is also an after-tax 457 Roth contribution option.

Flexible Spending Account Plan: The Flexible Spending Account Plan saves money by allowing the employee to pay for certain medical related expenses and dependent care expenses on a pre-tax basis, reducing annual taxable income resulting in Federal, State, Social Security, and Medicare tax savings.

Employee Assistance Program: Outagamie County has an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). The services offered as part of the County's plan are a benefit provided at no cost to its employees and their immediate family members to help deal with life's stresses. EAP consists of caring individuals who are certified counselors. They offer professional support and direction towards resolving problems or concerns. They can also help by referring the employee to another resource if assistance is needed beyond the EAP.

Paid Time