Nutrition Service Liaison

Job Description

Job Description

Job Category: Non-Exempt Full-time

Salary: $36,000

Residency Requirement: Primary residence must be in the state of Georgia

Job Summary

Open Hand Atlanta is hiring a Nutrition Services Liaison to support new and ongoing projects in partnership with health systems under the supervision of Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN). This position contributes to the fulfillment of Open Hand Atlanta’s comprehensive nutrition care mission by accepting referrals and providing a broad range of nutrition and health related assessments and screening, as well as assisting the RDNs and educators with nutrition education to the organization’s clients, partners, and employees.

Supervisory Responsibilities

None.

Duties/ Responsibilities

• Screen eligible patients into nutrition risk categories and schedule into appropriate nutrition intervention (e.g. Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) or nutrition classes) working closely with the RDNs and Research and Evaluation Manager.
• Provide patient engagement by phone, text, or telehealth platform daily reviewing intake forms, referral platforms, surveys, and while gathering other information. Must be able to explain basic food safety, allergy, and nutrition information to patients. 
• Provide accurate data entry into CARES database, RedCap, and other data collection tools as patients are recruited, contacted, and initiated to start services.
• Communicate with patient’s care team to successfully obtain referrals with accurate information and provide referrals for other wraparound services.
• Attend and assist the RDN with education classes preparing samples and paperwork, obtaining anthropometric measurements, and providing education or other tasks requested by the RDN.
• Develop nutrition education materials and content for a variety of populations and ages to increase health promoting behaviors.
• Monitor and support selected nutrition, health, and wellness programs to ensure optimal patient reach and that benchmarks are achieved.
• Attend client services team meetings, as able, to ensure clients are receiving accurate and efficient services. Problem-solve with team when there are issues. 
• Assist with additional food or nutrition-related projects as needed such as support group education (e.g. evidence-based programs or demos) to community patients.
• Provide oversight and feedback to dietetic/diet tech interns throughout their rotation.
• Stay abreast of current research in community nutrition, HIV/AIDS, senior nutrition, as well as chronic disease management.
• Actively participate in a diverse environment across Open Hand and community partners and be a positive teammate to all.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Skills/Abilities

• Ability to remain engaged and motivated in a phone-based position. 
• Demonstrates respect, professionalism, and the ability to work effectively with colleagues, clients, and community members from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. 
• Ability to perform job with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to interact with others in a consistently pleasant manner.
• Ability to meet tight deadlines with little or no supervision.
• Ability to enter data into a relational database and utilize Microsoft Office Suite applications.
• Excellent verbal and written communications. 
• Experience in organization and assessment of priorities is a must, as well as ability to multi-task.
• Work as part of a team and individually.

Education/Experience

• Associates or Bachelor's degree in nutrition, public health or related field.  
• Credentialing as a Nutrition and Dietetics Technician, Registered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) Or DTR-eligible taking the exam within 1 month of start date preferred but not required. After 1 year of employment with Open Hand, assistance with obtaining NDTR will be available.
• Minimum of one (1) to two (2) years of relevant professional experience if candidate is not credentialed/eligible as a Nutrition and Dietetics Technician, Registered
• Community experience and knowledge of chronic condition management such HIV/AIDS, diabetes, hypertension, and other serious illnesses preferred. 
• Experience speaking and educating in Spanish preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Travel may be required for conferences and training. Local travel required to attend/teach classes across metro Atlanta.  
• Working vehicle, vehicle insurance, and valid driver’s license.
• The employee is regularly required to sit at a computer, answer the telephone and perform other office duties.
• The employee is occasionally required to walk, stand, drive a car, and lift and/or move 25 pounds.  

Drug Free Workplace

Open Hand is a drug free and substance abuse free work environment. All candidates hired are subject to a pre-employment drug screen. Random drug testing may be conducted by an external, neutral tester on all employees.  Any perceived use of drugs or reporting to work under the influence of alcohol may be grounds for immediate dismissal.

Equal Opportunity 

Open Hand is an equal employment opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on merit and business needs, and not on race, color, citizenship status, national origin, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, marital status, veteran status, political affiliation, or any other factor protected by law. Open Hand complies with the law regarding reasonable accommodations for handicapped and disabled employees.