Nutritionist/CPA chez Unity Health Care

INTRODUCTION

The Nutritionist/CPA is responsible for assisting the WIC Director.  The Competent Professional Authority (CPA) is responsible for the certification and nutrition education of WIC participants. 

MAJOR DUTIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS 

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to the following: MAJOR DUTIES

• Assesses nutritional and/or health risks, including an assessment of eating patterns, breastfeeding goals, economic and cultural background, food preferences, medical history, laboratory values, and other pertinent data. Determines and prioritizes the nutritional risks of clients based on established priority factors. 
• Prescribes a food package to address the individual client’s medical and nutritional needs, taking into consideration food preferences and cultural background, as well as the availability of refrigeration and cooking facilities.
• Executes full access to the CARES module.
• Ensures confidentiality of WIC data and protects WIC information systems against unauthorized access.
• Provides education and counseling in individual and group settings to women or caretakers concerning breastfeeding goals, nutritional needs of women and children, and preventive health, including substance abuse education and referrals.
• Develops high-risk nutritional care plans for designated individuals and provides individual follow up counseling as required to assure that the health and nutritional needs of the clients are adequately addressed.
• Coordinates nutritional care with other members of the health care team to assure comprehensive medical and social services for clients, including referrals for related services, such as substance abuse intervention, Food Stamps, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and Medicaid/DC Healthy Families benefits and child protection as required.
• Plans, schedules, and conducts training programs for Local Agency WIC and intra-agency clinic staff to address the nutritional and health care needs of the participants. Supervises day-to-day clinical operations to assure that the WIC program is carried out in compliance to State and Federal requirements.
• Assists in the development, implementation, and evaluation of nutrition education programs to meet the needs of the WIC community, taking into consideration cultural and ethnic needs, including selection of appropriate materials, formats, and scheduling of sessions. 
• Keeps abreast of current research findings in maternal and child health and nutrition in order to assure that appropriate intervention strategies are provided to participants.
• Establishes and conducts activities as necessary to promote and support breastfeeding among the target population and evaluates the effectiveness of these services.
• Assures that nutrition education and counseling services are documented as appropriate and that anthropometrical and hematological data are appropriately recorded.
• Maintains daily caseload goals as assigned by supervisor.
• Maintains licensure in the District of Columbia (Licensed Dietitian or Licensed Nutritionist).
• Assures that proper documentation of voided checks, immunization records, demographic information, appointments, education, and all other required documentation is appropriately recorded.
• Maintains passing grades on any training post-tests and observations done by the WIC Director and Nutrition Coordinator. 
• Proactively acts to resolve routine problems that arise regarding the CARES (or MIS) system.
• Demonstrates proficiency using software such as the WIC MIS and Microsoft Office.
• Complies with requirements set forth by the Management Evaluation results. 
• Complies at all times with WIC policies regarding all aspects of service delivery.
• Attends and completes all WIC-related trainings as assigned by the WIC Director.
• Follows Local Agency guidelines concerning attendance, scheduling, meetings, holidays, sick days, emergencies, etc.
• Follows all site rules and performs work duties as designated, individually or part of a team.
• Attends mandatory staff trainings for Unity and for the DC WIC State Agency.
• Uses office equipment for work related purposes only.
• Respects each client by keeping their information strictly confidential.
• Performs additional tasks assigned by supervisor, as needed.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor of Science degree in clinical nutrition, nutrition services, nutrition, dietetics, or nutrition-related field
• Master’s degree is strongly preferred.
• Registered Dietitian (RD) with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics preferred, or eligible to obtain RD. 
• Licensure in the District of Columbia, or licensed in another state with proof of application for licensure in the District of Columbia. 

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & EXPEREINCE

• Ability to supervise and to work independently and in a team-oriented environment.
• Excellent people and communication skills.
• Must be well organized, flexible and action oriented.
• Demonstrated excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent customer service and time management skills.
• Proficiency in Spanish or a second language is strongly preferred.
• Strong computer skills (Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel).
• Demonstrated excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent customer service and time management skills.
• Ability to work well in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment.
• Willingness and ability to work at multiple Unity Health Care, Inc. sites.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

The position reports directly to the WIC Director. 

GUIDELINES

The position follows OSHA standards of safety and universal precautions and Unity policies and procedures.

PERSONAL CONTACTS

The position requires contact with staff at all levels throughout the organization.  There are also external organization relationships that may be a part of the work of the incumbent.

PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The position is required to be able to move easily about the health center and to and from the health center to meetings in other locations within the community or at another Unity location.  Unity Health Care provides primary health care services to underserved patients in Washington, DC.  As a federally qualified health center there is a commitment to serving traditionally underserved people in the community.  

OTHER SIGNIFICANT FACTS

Although the position is assigned a specific shift this position may be assigned alternate shifts to address the needs of Unity Health Care.

RISKS

The position involves everyday risk and discomforts, which require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices, meetings, training rooms, and other UHC health Care Sites.  The work area is adequately lit, heated, and ventilated.  All medical services shall be provided according to medically accepted community standards of care.  The employee shall provide evidence of a recent (within the past twelve (12) months) health assessment that includes a MMR, PPD and/or chest x-ray results.  

The statements contained herein describe the scope of the responsibility and essential functions of this position, but should not be considered to be an all-inclusive listing of work requirements.  Individuals may perform other duties as assigned including work in other areas to cover absences or relief to equalize peak work periods or otherwise balance the workload.