Nutritionist

POSITION
The Nutrition Coach is responsible for nutritional assessments and care plans designed for clients and their families which include health, exercise levels, sleep patterns, and food habits.  Also coaches and assists with the adaptation to new dietary lifestyles and success under the direction of the Public Health Director and/or their designee. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES 

• Evaluate/determine the dietary needs of clients by assessing their health and exercise levels, sleep patterns, and food habits.
• Counsel patients on any dietary issues/restrictions and healthy eating habits.
• Develop personalized nutrition plans while considering the client’s budget and tastes.
• Evaluate if the meal plans have a positive effect on clients’ health.
• Value and incorporate client individual choices and cultural preferences as appropriate for the best compliance and results.
• Clarify information to clients and explain the effects of nutrients on overall health condition.
• Set clear objectives and provide support to clients to help them in their progress.
• Actively participate in individual/group coaching, workshops, and other educational/outreach efforts.
• Create educational material about healthy eating habits.
• Read and contribute to the latest nutritional research.
• Speak to groups about the importance of nutrition to prevent specific diseases.
• Document client progress.
• Utilize creativity and passion to make a difference in client lives.
• Maintain a thorough and current knowledge of standard of care, assessment practices, protocols, and equipment.
• Provide input at case conferences, evaluations, planning committees, and outreach activities.
• Participate in peer review activities and evaluation of program effectiveness.
• Manage assigned grants and / or contracts, ensure that objectives and deliverables are met, reports are completed on time, and resubmit grant applications as applicable.
• Have working knowledge of the organizational budget.
• Collaborate effectively with agency administration to provide services for community intervention.
• Comprehensive understanding and ability to implement the Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act (HIPAA) Security and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) worksite components.
• Maintain a consistent and reliable attendance record.

 
ASSOCIATED DUTIES

• Perform other duties as assigned or required.
• Participate in team and general staff meetings.
• Acts as a first responder in a natural disaster or any public health, chemical, biological, nuclear or radiological event.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Qualified applicants will possess a bachelor’s degree or higher in nutrition, dietetics, foods and nutrition or related area from an accredited college or university with academic credits in biochemistry, research methods, and human physiology. In addition, a minimum of two (2) years of employment in the field of nutrition with demonstrated expertise in all requisite areas.

• A valid Wisconsin driver’s license and reliable motor vehicle with mandatory levels of insurance coverage.
• Current CPR/AED/First Aid Certification or the ability to obtain such certification within six months of hire. Certifications must be maintained for the duration of employment.

Preference will be shown to candidates who demonstrates the following:

• Three (3) years’ work experience with a governmental public health agency.
• Bilingual proficiency (Spanish/English).
• Experience working with various racial and ethnic groups.
• Enhanced familiarity/experience with statistical theory/methods.
• Experience in public speaking with the ability to present data and other program materials in Microsoft PowerPoint.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Working knowledge of community systems, ability to initiate referrals to community health care providers, social service, and advocacy agencies, and the ability to effectively refer clients as needed.
• Knowledge of HIPAA compliance standards and all aspects of client privacy practices.
• Knowledge/experience evaluating health trends and risk factors of target populations.
• Ability to establish professional relationships with clients, peers, supervisors, and community organization members.
• Personal initiative combined with the ability to work independently and interdependently.
• Substantial working knowledge of and experience with current Microsoft Office suite or newer (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Publisher), desktop publishing, and the internet, combined with the ability to pass all required skills tests.
• Previous experience working with large/specialized databases and preparing data for analysis.
• Ability to analyze data and/or manipulate data in Microsoft Excel and/or applicable databases using established criteria to determine significance and assess outcomes.  Must be able to compare, count, measure, copy, compute, tabulate, and categorize data combined with the ability to pass all required skills tests.
• Ability to effectively acquire and utilize scientific/client data obtained from a variety of sources including patient records, lab reports, physician orders, maps, flow charts, and statistical reports.
• Ability to comprehend, utilize, and implement information from a variety of sources including personnel policies, employee performance evaluations, time study sheets, policy documents, nursing procedure manuals, scientific medical textbooks, and computer software operating manuals.
• Proficient oral/written English language skills, including proper spelling, punctuation, and grammar with the ability to pass required skill tests.
• Effective oral and written communication skills at all levels of responsibility including clients and their families, physicians, local, state, and federal personnel, pharmacists, hospital, and jail personnel.
• Ability to assist in the development, submission, and implementation of successful grant proposals.
• Ability to interpret, regulate, and enforce state/local/federal laws, regulations, and rules.
• Ability to effectively train and coordinate activities of interns and visiting students.

PHYSICAL & ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

• Standing, walking, sitting, and stooping.
• Kneeling, crouching, climbing, balancing and bending/twisting.
• Reaching, lifting, carrying, pushing/pulling (up to 35 lbs.).
• Handling, grasping, fingering, filing, typing, and writing.

 
ENVIRONMENTAL/WORKING CONDITIONS
Office and a wide variety of indoor environments.   Day, evening, and weekend hours.

EQUIPMENT
Effective utilization of computer workstations and associated equipment, copy center, fax machine, multi-line telephone system, cellular telephone, typewriter, flashlight, digital / video camera, audio / visual and miscellaneous office / medical / inspection / laboratory equipment.

This job description is intended to identify essential duties and also illustrates other types of duties that may be assigned. It should not be interpreted as describing all of the duties that will be required of an employee or be used to limit the nature and extent of assignments that an individual is required to perform. In addition to the responsibilities and duties listed, it is expected that employees maintain a consistent and reliable attendance record. Job descriptions are subject to revision at any time at the discretion of the City of Racine.

The City of Racine is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.