NUTRITION EDUCATOR - 64054326

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NUTRITION EDUCATOR

Your Specific Responsibilities:

The Florida Department of Health in Manatee (DOH-Manatee) is a customer driven public health organization in continuous pursuit of performance excellence. Our Mission – To protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts. Our Vision – To be the Healthiest State in the Nation. Our Values - Innovation, Collaboration, Accountability, Responsiveness, Excellence (ICARE)

This position may serve clients that speak languages other than English. It may require performance of interpreter duties if bilingual, or implementation of the Department’s Limited English Proficiency Plan. Performs other duties as required, including performance of additional interpreter duties, consistent with skill level, and as needed.

Information Security: Maintains the confidentiality for information in accordance with state and federal statutes, rules, regulations, and DOH Information Security Policies, Protocols, and Procedures, in accordance with Protocol: Security 3, V, Section 1-3.

Nutrition Education Duties:

The incumbent of this position will function as a Nutrition Educator in the main WIC office and may periodically be located at various other locations in the county as needed for the WIC Program. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, certifying eligible clients into the WIC Program, handling customer issues and providing clients with nutritional counseling and appropriate health related information. Incumbent is responsible for making referrals to other programs, which may include breastfeeding and any other social service agencies, as needed. This individual will interact with the WIC Director, other WIC staff nutrition team members, and clerical staff.

• Provides individual and group nutrition education and therapeutic counseling for WIC clients according to all local, state, and federal guidelines.
• Certifies clients for participation in the WIC Program in accordance with policies of the State of Florida WIC Program and regulations stated in DHM 150-24.
• Documents all nutrition education in the client’s electronic record, located in WIC WiSE program, and on EARs; using proper SOAP format.
• Provides nutrition programs through outreach efforts to health care professionals and members of the community.
• Ensures that clients get the recommended number of nutrition education contacts. Provides nutrition education on a group or individual basis in the areas of infant, childhood, prenatal and postnatal (including breastfeeding) nutrition to promote development and maintenance of good nutrition habits according to all local, state, and federal guidelines.
• Follows policies and procedures for collection, entry, and management of data as well as the operation of computer terminals and printers according to the WIC Manual and DHM 150-24.
• Selects, develops, and evaluates client educational materials. Coordinates nutrition education services for assigned clients and makes referrals for appropriate services.

Assists the Public Health Nutrition Program Director in the completion of the monthly report and in the development of quality improvement (QI) tools and QI monitoring activities. Conducts outreach efforts.

Accurately completes all forms such as timesheets, EARs, encounter documentation, leave and attendance records, mileage and other necessary items by the required deadlines. 

Attends and participates in staff meetings, in-service training, and other professional and staff development activities.

Performs other related duties as required by the supervisor.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the terminology, principles, techniques, and practice of the science of nutrition, nutritional treatment techniques, chemistry, biochemistry, statistics, research methods, and other supporting nutrition sciences. 
• Skilled in the theories and concepts of preventative health care in a community or public health setting and the principles of interviewing and counseling patients along with the principles and techniques of effective communication. 
• Ability to coordinate participation in nutrition care plans, to perform nutritional assessments, to determine nutritional problems, to monitor the quantity and quality of nutritional care, and to work independently and with others. 
• Ability to plan work priorities and evaluate work outcomes. 
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others and to contribute to the organization and implementation of program activities. 
• Skilled at independently handling the majority of customer problems and making decisions based on applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures. 
• Ability to analyze and interpret nutrition and other scientific related materials and to formulate andor apply policies and procedures.
• Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate activities in a multi-task work environment.
• Computer skills in Windows and Microsoft Office software. 
• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing effectively.
• Ability to use WIC Program related software and provide proof of successful completion of the WIC WiSE competency test, or new hires be able to pass this test within 60 days following date of hire. This information may be verified through the State WIC office, local agencies, or through competency testing at the time of the interview.

Qualifications:

 Minimum-

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Nutrition, Food Science, or Dietetics in accordance with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and Florida Chapter 468.
• Proficient with Windows and Microsoft Office software. 

Preferred-

• Bilingual
• Experience with WIC Program

Florida Department of Health Mission, Vision, and Values:

Mission:

To protect, promote & improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county & community efforts.

Vision:

To be the Healthiest State in the Nation.

Values:

I nnovation: We search for creative solutions and manage resources wisely.

C ollaboration: We use teamwork to achieve common goals & solve problems.

A ccountability: We perform with integrity & respect.

R esponsiveness: We achieve our mission by serving our customers & engaging our partners.

E xcellence: We promote quality outcomes through learning & continuous performance improvement.

Where You Will Work:

Manatee County

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including:

• Annual and Sick Leave benefits;
• Nine paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year;
• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options;
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions

(For more information, please click www.myfrs.com);

• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• Tuition waivers;
• And more!

For a more complete list of benefits, including monthly costs, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.

Please be advised:

Your responses to qualifying questions for this position must be verifiable by documentation provided through the electronic application process.  

This position requires a security background check and/or drug screening and participation in direct deposit. Any misrepresentations or omissions will disqualify you from employment consideration. Note: You will be required to provide your Social Security Number (SSN) in order to conduct this background check Successful completion of a drug test is a condition of employment for safety-sensitive positions.

Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion unless they are registered with the Selective Services System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS. For more information, please visit the SSS website: http://www.sss.gov 

If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida.  Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement. 

The successful candidate will be required to complete the Form I-9 and that information will be verified using the E-Verify system.  E-Verify is operated by the Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the Social Security Administration to verify employment eligibility.   

Incumbents may be required to perform emergency duty before, during, and/or beyond normal work hours or days.

All Florida Department of Health positions require the incumbent to be able to learn and communicate effectively, orally and in writing, in English. Applicants who do not meet this requirement will not be considered.  

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace. 

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-877-562-7287). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation. 

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act. 

Florida has the third largest population of veterans in the nation with more than 1.5 million service men and women.  The Florida Department of Health (department) is committed to serving members of the United States Armed Forces, veterans and their families by encouraging them to apply for vacancies that fit their area of knowledge and/or expertise.  Through the Department's VALOR program, which expedites licensing for military veterans, the Department also waives initial licensing and application fees for military veterans who apply for a health care professional license within 60 months of an honorable discharge. These initiatives help ensure that the transition from military service into the workforce is as smooth as possible and reflects our appreciation for the dedication devoted to protecting our country. 

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE.  Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply.  Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements.  Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.  Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here.  All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.