Nutrition Assistant - Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) program

Nutrition Educator

Salt Lake County…A career with a purpose in the community you love!

Salt Lake County invites you to explore our exciting career opportunities. We seek highly enthusiastic individuals to enrich our County with your experience and talent. If you enjoy working in a team environment that is committed to changing the lives of its community, please keep reading.

What it is like to work here:

At Salt Lake County our culture is woven into all aspects of our work and our employees' lives, from the way we treat each other to the way we support the community. To promote and foster a fun and healthy work environment, we appreciate employees through great benefits, a healthy work life balance and room to grow and develop.

Surround yourself with:

Peers who are motivated to make a difference in the lives of those we serve. We serve Salt Lake County and envision a safe and beautiful place for all to live, work and have fun. Salt Lake County is about connecting people and championing our community. Community is more than a place….its our heart and service that bring us together.

We encourage a work life balance:

Working for Salt Lake County is more than just a paycheck. A career with Salt Lake County includes several benefits and perks. We support our employees with 12 holidays, up to 24 vacation days, 12 sick days and one personal day every year.

Additional Benefits include:

• Retirement options for hybrid pension/401(k) or 401(k) only with a 10% contribution
• Medical coverage including a 100% county paid premium option-Dental and Vision coverage including coverage for adult designees
• Health Savings account with a county contribution up to $1200/year, Flexible Spending Account
• 100% county-paid Long-Term Disability and Short-Term Disability option
• Professional Development including professional membership fees paid
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Plus: Onsite medical clinic, childcare and gym; hospital insurance, pet insurance auto and home insurance and discounts at County facilities.

JOB SUMMARY Provides individual and group nutrition education, determines client's nutritional risk assessment, assigns and issues appropriate food packages, promotes, supports, and educates breastfeeding women. Provides referrals to other agencies, documents intervention

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Human Nutrition, Community Nutrition, Clinical Nutrition, Public Health Nutrition, Dietetics, Nutrition Sciences, Home Economics with emphasis in Nutrition, or Health related field. Preference may be given to applicants who can speak, read, and write fluently in both English and Spanish, without using a translation app or program. Due to the nature of this position, the successful applicant must pass a required background check through fingerprinting and enrollment in the continuous RAP Back (Record of Arrest and Prosecution Back) program in accordance with current County Human Resources policy requirements. A valid Driver's License accepted by the State of Utah is required at the time of hire. A valid Driver's License issued by the State of Utah must be obtained within six (6) months of hire to operate a County vehicle. Due to the nature of this role, proof of vaccination may be required.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Evaluates and counsels low-risk clients in the absence of the dietitian; counsels' high-risk clients on nutrition needs during pregnancy, breastfeeding, growth and development of infants and children up to the age of five, postpartum, teen mothers and other health-related issues.
• Plans, develops, and evaluates the group nutrition education provided to the target population based on the annual nutrition education plan.
• Provides WIC core contact information and Reviews the Right and Responsibilities with clients.
• Counsels' clients on the importance of the nutrition education component of the WIC program.
• Develops a plan with clients to make positive changes, improves nutritional status and prevents nutrition related problems.
• Provides a basic assessment of the client's nutritional status and determines nutritional risk by evaluating anthropometrical and biochemical data and medical and nutritional history to determine WIC eligibility.
• Identifies high-risk participants and refers to those who would benefit from individualized follow-up by a Registered Dietitian in the WIC program.
• Schedules appropriate nutrition education and contact appointments.
• Assists clients in finding resources and refers clients using referral sources in the community.
• Assigns appropriate food packages to meet the nutritional needs of eligible WIC clients, including specialized formula. And evaluates food packages assigned, and tailors food package as needed
• Reviews clients' immunization records and refers clients to the immunization program.
• Issues food vouchers to eligible WIC clients and reviews Authorized Food and Vendor List with client.
• Provides breastfeeding support, technical assistance, and education to WIC clients, breastfeeding peer counselors, and staff.
• Issues breastfeeding aids and equipment. Evaluates, tracks and counsel clients regarding their use.
• Provides timely, accurate, and professional legal documentation using SOAP format per State WIC Policies and Procedures.
• Ensures confidentiality of client records and information received according to established policies and procedures.
• Assists in planning, development, and implementation of special nutrition projects which are program and/or community oriented.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSA)

Knowledge of:

• Basic nutrition
• Diet recall
• Meal Planning
• Infant and Child Development
• Public health practices
• Breastfeeding principles
• Food safety
• Pregnancy and Postpartum period
• Nutrition Assessment
• Legal documentation and professional writing
• Basic mathematics
• Community Resources
• Interviewing and counseling techniques

Skills and Abilities to:

• Effectively solve problems
• Work with computer software related to job specific duties
• Perform professional documentation and writing
• Operate audiovisual equipment
• Apply teaching techniques
• Present effective nutrition education classes
• Work cooperatively with clients, coworkers, professionals and others
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with people of various social, economic, and ethnic backgrounds
• Organize and prioritize assignments and responsibilities, and keep time expectations
• Comply with confidentiality guidelines and expectations
• Provide education and guidance to public and/or others

Additional Information

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Work is performed in a busy clinic. Sitting for a long period of time, regularly walk, stand, or stoop; May occasionally lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects weighing up to 25-30 pounds. The environment may be noisy.

May be required to travel within Salt Lake County

Work schedule is Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Wednesday 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM.