Assistant Nutritionist - Women, Infants & Children (WIC)

Careers at DPH: Work that makes a difference!

Pursuing Excellence, Inspiring Innovation, Promoting Teamwork, and Embracing Service

Under the direct supervision of the Nutritionist III Supervisor or the Site Supervisor, performs WIC certification, breastfeeding promotion and support, individual low risk nutrition education and health promotion, and group nutrition education. Delivers services to clients and families in clinics, schools, hospitals or office settings. Provides assistance and education to participants/families on contract and List I Special Formulas. Provides technical assistance and consultation to staff as part of the multidisciplinary team delivering care to clients.

Assessment and Certification: Completes WIC certifications and mid-certifications including health history, nutrition assessment, anthropometrics, immunization screening, hemoglobin or hematocrit testing, evaluation of risk status, prescription of WIC food package, documentation, and referrals following program standards and protocols. Provide participants with information about the WIC program and how to redeem benefits. Schedules upcoming WIC appointments. Performs hemoglobin controls as needed in accordance with CLIA and Agency standards.

Nutrition Education: Provides participants centered nutrition education, counseling, and follow-up for participants. Develops mutual nutrition and physical activity goals with client during certification and mid-certification. Refers clients to web-based nutrition education. Plans, conducts, and evaluates group nutrition education classes using the facilitated learning process. Documents nutrition education contacts.

Food Packages, Special Formulas, and Reports: Prescribes, updates, and explains food packages. Tailors formula package for partially breastfeeding infants. Documents changes to the WIC food package in SCWIC. Issues benefits during certification, mid-certification, nutrition education encounters and as needed from SCWIC reports. Approves List I Formulas. Provides assistance to families with infants on contract and List I formulas including education, dispensing, and monitoring as assigned. Refers participants on List II and metabolic formulas to the registered dietitian according to WIC guidelines. Pulls and completes reports in SCWIC.

Breastfeeding Promotion and Support: Provides breastfeeding promotion and support to pregnant and breastfeeding women. Screens and refers pregnant and breastfeeding women and infants to the breastfeeding staff according to the Referral Guidelines. Issues and monitor breast pumps and breastfeeding supplies.

Outreach : Provides consultation and technical assistance to other members of the multi-disciplinary health care team and community in areas related to normal nutrition, including health promotion and disease prevention. Participates as a member of the multi-disciplinary WIC team in clinic/class scheduling, caseload monitoring, and outreach. Works with other program staff and disciplines to enhance integration and quality of service.

Professional Development and Training: Updates professional skills and knowledge to assure delivery of quality nutrition services. Participates in continuing education opportunities. Completes and maintains certification(s) required for the position. Participates in continuing education, WIC trainings, region in-service programs, and agency required trainings to enhance job-related knowledge and skills. Completes and maintains Certified Lactation Consultant credential(s) if required for the job duties. Prepares and submits reports and documents as required. State Minimum Requirements: A bachelor's degree in home economics, home economics education, human ecology, family and child development, dietetics, or foods and nutrition or institutional management.

Institutions of Higher Learning must be recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

Agency Additional Requirements: Associate degrees in science with two (2) years of relevant nutrition experience in a clinical, public health or institutional setting will be accepted upon HR approval. Relevant nutrition experience will be considered in lieu of educational requirements.

Applicants indicating college credit or degree(s) on the application may upload an unofficial copy of the transcript as an attachment to the application. Please note that the agency will require an official, certified copy of the transcript or diploma prior to hiring.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of normal nutrition related to the maternal, infant, and child population. Must have or be willing to be trained in the specialized technical skills required to collect screening information and anthropometric measurements. Able to provide nutrition education, health promotion, and disease prevention education to clients. Has the ability to work effectively with people from a variety of socioeconomic, racial, ethnic and educational backgrounds. This position requires practical knowledge of the principles of adult learning. Has the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with members of public. Must have good oral and written communication skills, good interpersonal skills, and committed to providing excellent customer service.

The employee must have a valid SC Drivers License and be willing to use their personal car to travel to clinic sites in the region. The standard work week is 37.5 hours and may require some flexibility to meet the needs of clients and staff health clinics, including evening and weekends. Must be able to lift 30 pounds. The employee must participate in preparation and response to emergencies/disasters as required by the supervisor, region public health director and/or agency director. Nutrition experience is preferred but not required. Immunization: All new employees who are healthcare providers are required to provide documentation of immunity or be immunized against Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Pertussis, Varicella, and Hepatitis B prior to beginning employment.

State Disaster Plan: In accordance with the State's Disaster Plan, which includes hazardous weather, DPH employees may be required to work in times of an emergency or disaster.

College Transcripts: Applicants indicating college credit or degree(s) on the application may upload an unofficial copy of the transcript as an attachment to the application. Please note that the agency will require an official, certified copy of the transcript or diploma prior to hiring.

Driving Record : If this position requires the applicant to possess a valid driver's license to operate a state vehicle or personal vehicle, any applicant being considered in the final stages of selection for the position will be required to provide a certified copy of a 10-year driving record.

The South Carolina Department of Public Health offers an exceptional benefits package for FTE positions that includes:

Health, Dental, Vision, Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance for Employee, Spouse, and Children

15 days annual (vacation) leave per year

15 days sick leave per year

13 paid holidays

Paid Parental Leave

State Retirement Plan and

REMOTE WORK: The option to work partially remote or adjusted work hours may be available after six (6) months of employment for approved positions

SC DPH is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employing agency. We are committed to a diverse workforce. SC DPH does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information