Public Health Nutritionist

Job Description

CLASSIFICATION DETAILS

The Public Health Nutritionist position is located within the Women, Infant, Children (WIC) Program of the Health Department.

DEPARTMENT: Health

HIRING AUTHORITY: Director/Health Officer

F.L.S.A. STATUS: Non-Exempt

EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP: Just cause subject to a probationary period

CURRENT HOURS AND STARTING TIME: Full-time position (37.5 hours per week). The starting time for this position is currently 8:30 a.m.

JOB SUMMARY:

Under direction, assists in the planning and implementation of programs and activities to strengthen and enhance the nutrition programs and activities of the Macomb County Health Department.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Plans, organizes, coordinates and evaluates the nutrition component of a public health nutrition program or initiative, including the WIC program.

Develops and/or implements nutritional plan of care based upon nutritional assessment and available resources.

Participates in the development of Program goals and objectives.

Teaches, consults and acts as a nutrition resource person to individuals, families, community groups, health care professionals, and the Department.

Documents appropriate data, activities and outcomes and maintains related records.

Provides client-centered nutrition counseling and education services to clients, individually or in groups.

Provides client-centered education and referrals to clients and families relative to breastfeeding, immunizations, parenting, health care, prenatal care, safety, substance use, communicable diseases, environmental health, and other subjects as needed by client.

Refers clients to health and social services within the community.

Coordinates client nutrition care with other health care professionals.

Compiles and maintains Program data and prepares statistical reports as assigned. Resolves client complaints and make decisions regarding client services.

Assists with the orientation and training of staff.

Assists in providing training, education and evaluation experience for students and interns enrolled in health-related programs.

Provides direct outreach services at community site locations as needed.

Assists in quality assurance and quality improvement activities, public health nutrition program evaluation, and Accreditation activities.

Performs related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s in Community Nutrition, Clinical Nutrition, Dietetics or Public Health Nutrition from an accredited college or university

Required Licenses or Certifications

• Possession of a valid Michigan driver’s license, operable automobile and insurance

Preferred Education and Experience

• Previous experience working in a public health and/or an outpatient nutrition setting
• Experience in speaking and understanding a language other than English, including but not limited to Spanish, French, Arabic, Bengali, or a Central European Slavic language (e.g.
  Albanian, Bosnian, Serbian, Croatian)

Preferred Licenses or Certifications

• Possession of a current certificate as a Registered Dietitian/Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RD/RDN) by the Commission on Dietetic Registration

COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE OF JOB DUTIES

Knowledge of:

• Current science of human nutrition as it relates to the eating behavior of individuals and families
• Unique nutritional needs and recommendations for the maternal child health population, including breastfeeding, infant feeding, prenatal nutrition, postpartum nutrition, and early childhood nutrition
• Cultural food patterns and preferences
• Health equity principles and the impact of social determinants of health on low-income families
• HIPAA and other laws or County policies for maintaining record confidentiality

 Skill in:

• Interpersonal skills necessary to develop and maintain effective and appropriate working relationships with staff and the public
• Providing customer service to internal and external customers via electronic media including phone, email, messaging, and telehealth as well as in person
• Performing a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of a different nature
• Performing somewhat complex mathematical functions such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percentages, and ratios
• Organization and time management
• Operating personal computers with current versions of office efficiency software and applications
• Performing data entry to multiple types of database applications for registration, enrollment, service provision, billing, inventory and statistical review and reporting
• Assigning, prioritizing, monitoring, and reviewing work assignments

 Ability to:

• Provide excellent customer service to both internal and external customers with tact and courtesy
• Promote the vision, mission and core values of the WIC Program Conduct meetings and make group presentations
• Effectively speak, write and understand the English language
• Understand, communicate, and interact effectively with people across multiple cultures Understand and carry out oral and written directions
• Meet schedules and deadlines of the work
• Accurately organize and maintain paper documents and electronic files Work independently
• Learn new policies, practices and procedures
• Read and understand laws, rulings and other published guidance
• Engage in professional development on issues related to diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice

WORKING ENVIRONMENT/CONDITIONS

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
  N/S=Never/Seldom   O=Occasionally   F/C= Frequently/Continuously

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. 

N/S=Never/Seldom   O=Occasionally   F/C= Frequently/Continuously

General Requirements and/or Disclaimers

Complies with P.A. 390, as amended, known as the State’s Emergency Management Act and the County’s Emergency Management resolution as well as all related plans, policies and procedures covered by these statutes.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities.  Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job.  Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment amongst other possible accommodations.

The UAW 889 – Specialized Offices bargaining unit represents this position.  Therefore, there may be contract language which could require consideration in the selection process.

GRANT OR EXTERNALLY FUNDED POSITION – This position will continue only if sufficient grant or external funds are provided.