TITLE: Dietitian
Reports to: WIC Coordinator
Job Summary
Contribute to the mission and vision of MICA by creating a positive, respectful, and safe environment when working with children, families and agency and community partners. General duties include certifying and counseling/educating families for the WIC/MCH Program. Works to increase participation rates at clinics. Must know HIPAA regulations and follow all HIPAA procedures. Supports MICA’s mission, vision, values, Ways of Working, and Whole Family Approach. This position may perform regular duties at alternative sites with permission of the Program Director.
Summary of Essential Job Functions
Compliance
- Functions as the competent professional authority for the determination of program eligibility and certification;
o As part of the certification process, conducts all of the tests necessary for indicating nutritional risk
o Following assessment for individual anthropometric, biochemical and dietary data, either certifies or denies participation in the program on the basis of nutritional risk
o Documents results in assigned database
- Works to increase participation rates at clinics
- Coordinates efforts with staff dietitians to assure nutrition education to all participants, both on an individual and group basis;
o Supervises documentation of education received into participant records;
o Provides in-depth individual nutrition counseling as needed or requested by participant.
o Promotes breastfeeding to all pregnant WIC participants
§ Provides breastfeeding counseling support and refers to breastfeeding Peer Counselors as needed
§ Issues breast pumps
- Tailors the program food package to meet individual dietary needs of the participant.
- Assures adequate explanation of participant procedures and rights and obligations to all persons undergoing certification into the program
- Assists in referral of WIC/MCAH participants to other sources of health care as needed, including accurate documentation and follow-up of referrals made
- Must maintain strict confidentiality
o Must know HIPAA regulations and follow all HIPAA procedures.
Develop skills and knowledge related to the position
- Attend/complete all trainings as required
- Maintain certifications as required
- Complete Mandatory Child Abuse Reporter training as required
- Is encouraged to attend and participate in state WIC/MCAH nutrition meetings and other conferences, etc. which will serve to enhance training and skill
Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes:
- Able to read, write and speak the English language
- Committed to the inherent worth of every individual
- Able to analyze participant data to determine participant needs or treatment goals
- Knowledge of community resources
- Able to provide breastfeeding guidance to nursing mothers
- Strong knowledge of dietetics and nutrition
- Excellent customer service skills
- Knowledge of HIPAA regulations and practices
- Dedicated to continuous learning
- Strong teamwork skills. Able to collaborate in a positive and respectful way with families, agency co-workers and community partners.
- Strong commitment to achieving results
o Able to work effectively in fast-paced environment
- High level of confidentiality and ethical conduct
Working Conditions (Essential physical, mental and emotional demands): The demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Generally a 36-hour week. Must be able to work assigned schedule. Very rarely is overtime required.
- This position requires constant mental and physical work. Must be able to maintain a calm, composed demeanor in a highly active physical, social and emotional environment
- Constant interaction with program participants and colleagues. Requires constant strong ability to think and reason independently, maintain objectivity, remain calm and pleasant, and to exercise sound judgment
- The physical environment requires the employee to work indoors in a clinic setting
- Occasionally lifts, carries or otherwise moves and positions objects weighing up to 40 pounds when stocking supplies or setting up equipment
- The person in this position needs to move about inside the office to perform various job functions
- Travels to additional MICA county WIC clinics as needed
o Primarily travels in agency-owned vehicle. Must have a valid driver’s license and proof of automobile insurance. License must be in good standing, as this position must be able to drive agency-owned vehicle.
o Must have reliable vehicle, as may need to travel on own to worksites as needed
Education & Experience:
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree in Foods and Nutrition, Dietetics, Community Nutrition or related fields; must have completed the minimum undergraduate requirements that have been outlined by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
- Licensed Dietitian in State of Iowa
- Registered Dietitian through the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR)
- Certified Lactation Counselor, Certified Lactation Specialist or International Board Certified Lactation Consultant OR must obtain within 1 year of hire date.
Preferred: Completed internship or other experience in community nutrition, including services to children 0-6 years of age.
Other:
Candidates offered the position must meet the following criteria:
- Successful completion of all background checks at hire and thereafter according to agency and program standards.
- Staff who work in centers that serve infants will be required to have a Tdap immunization per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations.
- Must have a pre-employment TB assessment, and every year thereafter, to prove ability to perform work duties
Other Duties:
Some dietitians may perform additional duties as a regular part of the job related to nutrition and breastfeeding activities. Individuals performing these tasks may receive additional compensation. These additional duties are as follows:
Nutrition:
- Participates in the completion of the Nutrition Education Needs Assessment
o Will participate in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of local agency nutrition education activities based on results of (NENA)
- Assists with nutrition in-service training for local agency staff.
o Provide training quarterly at CPA meetings
o Identify continuing education opportunities
- Assists with developing training plans for staff who provide nutrition services.
o Provide ongoing support/coaching for new staff
- Oversees nutrition education materials, order as needed
- Participates in meetings with the State Nutrition Coordinator
o Keeps current with up-to-date nutrition education information and disseminates this along with state-provided information to local agency staff.
- Develops, implements, leads, and reports on quality improvement projects related to nutrition and nutrition education.
Breastfeeding:
- Participates in the completion of the Nutrition Education Needs Assessment (NENA)
o Will participate in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of local agency breastfeeding activities based on results of (NENA)
- Ensures local agency staff are properly trained in breastfeeding education and support.
o Provide training quarterly at CPA meetings.
o Identify continuing education opportunities.
- Assists with developing training plans for staff who provide nutrition services.
o Provide ongoing support/coaching for new staff
- Monitors breast pump issuance, inventory, maintenance
- Oversees breastfeeding education materials, order as needed.
- Participates in meetings with State Breastfeeding Coordinator
o Keeps current with up-to-date breastfeeding information and disseminates this along with state-provided information to local agency staff.
- Develops, implements, leads, and reports on quality improvement projects related to breastfeeding and breastfeeding education.
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Additional information
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
- Bachelor’s degree in Foods and Nutrition, Dietetics, Community Nutrition or related fields; must have completed the minimum undergraduate requirements that have been outlined by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
- Licensed Dietitian in State of Iowa
- Registered Dietitian through the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR)
- Certified Lactation Counselor, Certified Lactation Specialist or International Board Certified Lactation Consultant OR must obtain within 1 year of hire date.
Preferred: Completed internship or other experience in community nutrition, including services to children 0-6 years of age.
MICA is seeking a compassionate and dedicated Registered Dietitian to join our health services team working to support the health and well-being of children and families. In this dynamic role, you will function as the competent professional authority determining program eligibility, conducting nutritional risk assessments, and providing personalized nutrition and breastfeeding counseling. If you are an adaptable, collaborative professional with excellent customer service skills, a strong commitment to ethical conduct and HIPAA compliance, and a passion for community health, this is the perfect job for you! This position is full-time, 36 hours per week. While based in our Ames office, there is some travel required to our offsite clinics in our six county service area.
