WIC Nutrition Educator

Position Summary
To determine eligibility for the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program through a comprehensive assessment process; provide nutrition education and breastfeeding support; connect families to other social and community services; provide educational resources; make referrals to medical providers; and perform related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications
Education: Completion of an Associate Degree program in Dietetic Technology and registered or eligible to be registered as a Dietetic Technician by the Commission on Dietetic Registration.

Experience: None.

Substitution: The following options may substitute for the education requirement: (a) Bachelor’s Degree in Nutrition Sciences, Community Nutrition, Clinical Nutrition, Dietetics, or Public Health Nutrition from a college or university accredited by the Association of Colleges and
Schools; (b) Bachelor’s Degree in Home Economics with emphasis in nutrition as defined by the Minnesota Department of Health WIC Program; or (c) any other nutrition related Bachelor’s Degree acceptable to the State WIC Program. (No other substitution for education allowed.)
Certifications/Licensure: If minimum qualifications are met by completion of Associate Degree in Dietetic Technology, must be registered as a dietetic technician by the Commission on Dietetic Registration before the end of the probation period.

Examples of Work Performed
Determine program eligibility by a comprehensive assessment (nutrition, social, economic, health, cultural, etc.) of the client/family.

Perform anthropometric screening and assessment including complete height and weight measurements and assess growth according to World Health Organization (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) growth grids, pregnancy weight gain grids; and perform hemoglobin blood test; complete and evaluate a health history form to aid in identifying risk factors; and complete a dietary assessment.
Assess the participant health and nutrition status based on anthropometric and nutrition screening; and develop and implement individualized patient care plans to address any dietary or health concerns to meet identified nutritional, social, cultural, health, economic needs based on WIC program criteria.
Coordinate, provide direct services, and document appropriate referrals to health care and community resources and programs; and monitor and re-evaluate participate health and nutritional status.
Educate, counsel, and advise clients using nutrition, health and community resources to address identified needs by building on individual and family strengths; incorporate motivational interviewing and behavior change techniques to provide tailored nutrition education; and motivate families to make healthy changes.
Determine appropriate food package for participants based on assessed needs through health and nutrition screenings.
Issue WIC benefits and educate participants on use of the WIC benefits; and promote redemption of WIC foods.

Provide breast/chest feeding promotion, education and support to pregnant participants.
Explain WIC program policies, procedures, rights and responsibilities to WIC participants.
Assist with other duties such as, but not limited to: filing; data entry; appointment scheduling; phone calls and reminder calls; and assist clinic coordinator.
Assist in the training of new WIC Nutrition Educators by orienting them to clinic procedures.

See additional details on the position posting.