Public Health Nutritionist

Posting number: 2026-00081

Department: Health Department

Job classification: NUTRITIONIST I

Posting type: External & Internal

Categories: Public Health

Summary

Provides professional nutritional services to clients identified with high risk factors. This includes performing WIC certifications, nutritional assessments, and providing normal and high-risk nutrition counseling. Identifies nutritional needs of individuals and the community. Assesses the identified needs and plans and implements effective strategies to meet those needs. Provides basic information on guidelines and regulations to eligible participants of the Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program.

Examples of duties

100% FTE. Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Rotates with other Nutritionists for a weekly OB/FP and WIC Tuesday evening clinic in the Nashville Office.

Nutrition Education/Patient Services and Breastfeeding

Assists in the local application and operation of the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). The nutritionist is responsible for performing nutritional assessments for pregnant and breastfeeding women, infants, and children in the WIC Program.

Provides direct nutritional services to patients with complex nutritional needs resulting from high risk and chronic medical conditions, such as, adults with diabetes, hypertension, substance abuse, obesity, anemia, and clinical risks suggestive of IUGR and gestational diabetes in the prenatal patient; infants with birth weight less than 1500 grams, gestational age less than 32 weeks, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, hypoglycemia, hyperbilirubinemia, neonatal seizures, congenital anomalies affecting feeding, CNS infection/trauma, congenitally acquired infection; children with developmental delay/disability, behavioral disorder, chronic illness, failure to thrive, genetic disorder, substantiated abuse/neglect, and neuromotor disorder; Women, Infants, and Children with clinical risks, such as, growth failure, anemia, obesity, and lead poisoning.

Receives referrals on both WIC and non-WIC patients with the above conditions from Maternity Clinic, Child Health Clinic, OBCM’s, and CC4C’s.

Consults with private physicians regarding case management to coordinate nutritional care plans with the client’s medical management.

Completes nutrition assessment and examines food preferences.

Develops client care plans and specific client action steps as it relates to the client's needs and condition.

Counsels concerning therapeutic diets, nutrition principles, and modification of dietary habits.

Communicates with other local agencies and resources, physicians, and Regional Medical Centers to ensure that all of the client's needs are met and makes necessary referrals based on needs assessed.

Evaluates the nutritional status of WIC applicants to determine eligibility for WIC services by:

Interpretation of the following anthropometric data: Height, Weight

Assessment of the following biochemical and clinical data: Hematocrit/Hemoglobin/Anemia profile, Blood Pressure, Urine, Blood Sugar/GTT, Sickle Cell, Newborn Screening,

Blood Lead, History, Physical Assessment, Dietary Assessment.

Provides appropriate initial nutrition counseling at certification to participants based on evaluation determined needs in order to develop a plan of care with client actions steps.

Provides follow-up assessment and counseling to participants between certifications and at recertifications.

Provides nutrition counseling to eligible participants of the Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program.

Prescribes appropriate food packages to WIC participants tailored to individual needs.

Documents entries in Crossroads.

Other Duties

Provides nutritional education for agency staff, community agencies and groups.

Attends staff meetings, workshops and continuing education activities related to job performance.

Serves as a resource in nutrition and WIC Program services for other disciplines on staff.

Promotes the WIC Program in the community by Health Fairs, outreach, etc.

Assists in orienting and training new staff.

Assists with Management Support functions as needed to ensure meeting WIC Program deadlines.

Serves as backup to the WIC Director and Nutritionist II in their absence.

Participates in disaster services as required.

Maintains personnel records.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Complete finger sticks for Bailey Outreach Site.

Qualifications

Specialized knowledge in principles and application of nutrition and dietetics to improve health outcomes. Knowledge of relevant medical terminology and skill in documenting in the medical record. Ability to deliver nutrition education programs and communicate with individuals and small groups. General knowledge of behavior change theory and learning theory. General knowledge of life-cycle nutrition with preference for knowledge of maternal and child nutrition and lactation. Ability to maintain good rapport with fellow employees and be a team player. Ability to learn and independently apply laws, departmental rules, and regulations covering WIC Program and services and deal with the public.

Supplemental information

Required Minimum Training:

Graduation from a Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics. Education-approved Didactic Program in Dietetics; or Dietetic Technician, Registered with the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education with a bachelor’s degree in any subject area from and accredited four-year college or university; or a Bachelor of Science degree in Dietetics, Public Health Nutrition or Community Nutrition from an accredited four-year college or university.

Additional Training/Experience:

Breastfeeding Supplies Competency Training

License or Certification Required by Statute or Regulation:

Valid North Carolina Drivers License