HIV Wellness Nutritionist (Term), Grade 21

Nutritionist Position

This position is a one-year term position; scheduled to end on July 1, 2027. Continued employment in this position is contingent upon renewal of term.

Montgomery County is located adjacent to Washington, D.C., and with over one million residents, is the most populous County in the State of Maryland. The County is also the most diverse County in the State and ranks among the top ten most diverse Counties in the nation. Montgomery County contains many major U.S. government offices, scientific research and learning centers, and business campuses.

The Department of Health and Human Services is responsible for delivery of the County's public health and human services that meets the needs of our community's most vulnerable children, adults and seniors. The Department provides services through more than 120 programs at more than 20 locations. With over 2,000 employees, the Department of Health and Human Services is the largest County Department.

As a department, we believe the health and wellness of the county can only be achieved by ensuring that every resident has fair opportunities to reach their fullest potential. This means access to quality housing, transportation, education, employment, health care, human services, safe neighborhoods, and healthy food. HHS provides critical services for residents who face a variety of obstacles in achieving their full potential. HHS plays an essential role in building a healthy and strong community.

Public Health Services is currently seeking an innovative Nutritionist to join our clinical team at the forefront of HIV wellness. The ideal candidate is an expert in Medical Nutrition Therapy who is eager to manage the evolving needs of people living with HIVfrom supporting immune recovery to addressing long-term metabolic health. If you are ready to use your clinical skills to make a life-changing difference in a supportive and high-impact environment, we invite you to apply.

Nutritionists in HIV clinics within health departments play a critical role in managing the health of people living with HIV (PLWH) through Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) and public health advocacy. Their responsibilities generally bridge clinical care and community resource management.

Main responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Management and implementation of Medical Nutrition Therapy services to Ryan White eligible persons living with HIV
• Conduct Nutritional Assessments: Evaluate patients' nutritional status, including body mass index (BMI), body compartment estimates, and biochemical data such as lipid profiles and blood glucose levels.
• Develop Individualized Care Plans: Create tailored nutrition plans to manage weight loss, wasting, and co-morbidities like diabetes, heart disease, or hypertension.
• Provide Side-Effect Management: Educate patients on managing side effects of ARV's, including gastrointestinal issues, lipodystrophy, and drug-nutrient interactions.
• Food Safety Education: Teach severely immunocompromised patients about preventing foodborne illnesses through proper food handling.

Program Coordination and Community Support

• Coordinate Food Assistance: Refer eligible Ryan White patients to community food resources, food pantries, or other programs.
• Facilitate Group Education: Design and lead workshops focused on healthy eating on a budget and general wellness.
• Oversee Specialized Food Programs: Manage "food prescription" programs or supplemental voucher systems for high-risk participants.
• Oversight and management of Ryan White funded grocery gift cards

Professional Duties

• Collaborate with Interdisciplinary Teams: Work alongside physicians, case managers, and nurses.
• Document and Monitor Progress: Maintain detailed medical records of patient assessments, interventions, and outcomes.
• Stay Current on Research: Continuously update clinical practices based on the latest HIV and nutritional science research.

Experience: Three (3) years of professional experience in the field of nutrition.

Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in Nutrition or Dietetics.

Equivalency: an equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.

LICENSE: Possession of a valid license to practice dietetics issued by the Maryland State Board of Dietetic Practice.

Note: There will be no substitutions for this section.

Medical Protocol: This position requires completion of a pre-employment Medical History Form to assess your ability to safely perform the essential duties of the role.

The applications of those individuals meeting the minimum qualifications will be reviewed to determine the extent, relevancy of training, and experience in the following areas:

• Experience providing Medical Nutrition Therapy for people living with HIV.
• Experience conducting comprehensive nutritional assessments and developing individualized care plans using clinical and laboratory indicators.
• Experience counseling clients from diverse communities through culturally responsive nutrition approaches.
• Experience coordinating nutrition care with interdisciplinary teams such as physicians, nurses, social workers, or case managers.
• Experience working in HIV clinical or HIV related public health settings.
• Experience integrating social determinants of health, including food insecurity and other social needs, into nutrition care.

Montgomery County Government(MCG) is an equal opportunity employer, committed to workforce diversity. Accordingly, as it relates to employment opportunities, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities, in accordance with the law. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should email OHR at View email address on click.appcast.io . Individual determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made in accordance with all applicable laws.

MCG also provides hiring preference to certain categories of veterans and veterans/persons with a disability. For more information and to claim employment preference, refer to the Careers webpage on Hiring Preference .

All applicants will respond to a series of questions related to their education, relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities required to minimally perform the job. The applicant's responses in conjunction with their resume and all other information provided in the employment application process will be evaluated to determine the minimum qualifications and preferred criteria or interview preference status. Based on the results, the highest qualified applicants will be placed on an Eligible List and may be considered for an interview. Employees meeting minimum qualifications who are the same grade will be placed on the Eligible List as a "Lateral Transfer" candidate and may be considered for an interview.

This will establish an Eligible List that may be used to fill both current and future vacancies.

If selected for consideration for this position, you may be required to provide evidence that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities indicated on your resume.

Montgomery County Ethics Law : Except as provided by law or regulation, the County's "Public Employees" (which does not include employees of the Sheriff's office) are subject to the County's ethics law including the requirements to obtain advanced approval of any outside employment and the prohibitions on certain outside employment. The outside employment requirements of the ethics law can be found at 19A-12 of the County Code . Additional information about outside employment can be obtained from the Ethics Commission website.