WIC Nutritionist

INTERVIEWS ARE ANTICIPATED TO BE CONDUCTED WITHIN TWO WEEKS OF CLOSING DATE. The New Mexico WIC Program, Department of Health and Food and Nutrition bureau safeguards the health of nutritionally at-risk low-income pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women, infant, and children by providing nutritious foods to supplement diets, nutrition information for healthy eating, health counseling, breastfeeding support, nutrition classes, cooking classes, and referrals to health care providers and social services. Why does the job exist? To screen applicants to determine eligibility by assessing income, residency, and nutritional risk at the Northeast Heights WIC Office. Prescribes food packages, provides group and one-on-one nutrition education, including breastfeeding promotion and support that is responsive to the identified needs/interests of each participant. Identifies the need for individual care plans and implements them for low-risk participants. Refers participants to other health and social services and provides appropriate follow-up to referrals. How does it get done? Maintain effective and efficient Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program operations in the Region by assessing and documenting a participant's nutrition risks; prescribes food packages for each participant certified; determine eligibility and provide one-on-one and/or group nutrition education, including breastfeeding promotion and support. Assess participants needs for use of a breast pump and/or any other breastfeeding education. Obtain and assess hemoglobin and anthropometrics on each participant. Provide quality client services using constructs of Participant Centered Education (PCE) as required by United States Department of Agriculture. Assist families in developing healthy eating goals and provide on-going nutrition education. Refers participants to other health and social services. Perform clerical duties such as filing, typing, data entry, word processing, and other computer software applications; operate photocopiers, fax machines, and other office equipment; and prepare mailings, answer phones, answer questions, deliver messages, and make appointments; electronic card inventory, archiving, vendor monitoring, supply and pharmacy orders. Achieves and maintains quality and customer service satisfaction and maintains and protects the participants and WIC agency confidentiality. Assist Nutrition Supervisor to increase community awareness and positive perception of the Public Health Division and NM WIC Program by providing outreach in the community and interacting with other Public Health programs including participating in health fairs and developing nutrition education bulletin boards with approved messages. Demonstrates support of WIC's mission, vision and philosophy in delivery of all services and the ability to communicate and work with a wide variety of culturally diverse people. Who are the customers? Qualified Pregnant, Breastfeeding and Post-partum women, infants and children - up to the age of five (5) years. Ideal Candidate Fluent in both English and Spanish; experience in entering and retrieving data from multiple information systems including the New Mexico Women, Infants & Children Program Automated Data System; providing and/or coordinating direct nutrition services to clients including nutritional screening, assessment, planning, intervention, education, and evaluation based on program guidelines, client education and management of records; collaborating and coordinating with other organizations within the community; assisting in food and nutrition programs in the department of dietetics to meet nutritional requirements; counseling individuals and groups on basic rules of good nutrition, healthy eating habits, and nutrition monitoring to improve their quality of life. Bachelor's degree in a social, community, health, education, or nutritional field and two (2) years of experience as it pertains to the essential duties and responsibilities of the classification. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling six (6) years may substitute for the required education and experience. Employment Requirements Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License. Must possess and maintain a current Defensive Driving Course Certificate from the State of New Mexico or must pass and receive Defensive Driving Course Certification within six (6) months of date of hire as a condition of continued employment. Working Conditions Work is performed in an office setting with exposure to visual/video display terminal (VDT) and extensive personal computer and phone usage. Extended periods of driving and the ability to lift up to fifty (50) pounds may be required. Potential exposure to communicable diseases and moderate office noise, heat, cold, and smells. Incumbent may be required to respond to Public Health emergencies during non-traditional work hours. Some travel with occasional overnight stay may be required. Bargaining Unit Position This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement and all terms/conditions of that agreement apply and must be adhered to. #J-18808-Ljbffr