Senior Nutritionist (DOH/PHD/WIC #11773)

The New Mexico WIC Program, Department of Health and Family Health Bureau, safeguards the health of nutritionally at-risk low-income pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, infants, children, and seniors through the provision of nutritious foods, nutrition information, health counseling, breastfeeding support, nutrition classes, cooking classes, and referrals to health care providers and social services.

About the role

To screen applicants to determine eligibility by assessing income, residency, and nutritional risk; prescribe food packages; provide group and one-on-one nutrition education, including breastfeeding promotion and support; identify the need for individual care plans and implement them for high-risk participants; refer participants to other health and social services and provide appropriate follow-up to referrals; document nutrition services provided, including referrals and follow-up to referrals.

Responsibilities

• Supports program operations by meeting caseload goals in performing clinic duties, traveling to clinics to perform services, outreach to health fairs and other programs to increase caseload, and provide customer service to applicants/participants.
• Screens applicants to determine eligibility by assessing income, residency, and nutritional risk.
• Prescribes food packages.
• Provides group and one-on-one nutrition education, including breastfeeding promotion and support that is responsive to the identified needs/interests of each participant.
• Identifies the need for individual care plans and implements them for high-risk participants.
• Refers participants to other health and social services and provides appropriate follow-up to referrals.
• Documents nutrition services provided, including referral and follow-up to referrals.
• Facilitates Nutrition Education classes using "Facilitators of Change" - Participant Centered Services (PCS) design.
• Provides clinical nutrition assessments and/or prescribe food packages.

Requirements

• Qualified Pregnant, Breastfeeding, and Post-partum women, infants, and children - up to the age of five (5) years.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License and a current Defensive Driving Course Certification from the State of New Mexico or pass a certification as a condition of continued employment.
• Extended periods of driving and the ability to lift up to fifty (50) pounds may be required.
• Potential exposure to communicable diseases and moderate office noise, heat, cold, and smells.
• Incumbent may be required to respond to Public Health emergencies during non-traditional work hours.
• Some travel with occasional overnight stay may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a social, community, health, education, or nutritional field and two (2) years of experience as it pertains to the essential duties and responsibilities of the classification.
• Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling six (6) years may substitute for the required education and experience.

Skills

• The ability to communicate in both English and Spanish is highly valued.
• A commitment to New Mexico WIC Mission to improve the health of eligible women, infants, and children.
• Strong communication skills - written and verbal - to educate participants and collaborate with colleagues and community partners.
• Cultural competence is crucial to understand the diverse cultures of a varied population.
• Organizational skills needed to efficiently manage participant files, documents, and clinic schedules.
• Problem-solving skills to identify nutritional issues and develop effective strategies to help participants adopt healthy habits and behaviors.
• Proficient technical skills using WIC specific computer system and MyWIC apps.
• A willingness to stay updated on nutrition research and incorporate new knowledge into daily practice.

Benefits

Salary range: $27.37 - $41.06 hourly, $56,931 - $85,396 annually.