Nutrition Educator- Wic

**Description**:
Under general supervision of the Supervisor of the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program provides nutrition services and education to individuals and families enrolled in the WIC Program.

**Examples of Duties**:
Analytical/Assessment Skills
- Decisions within area of responsibility are made independently.
- Review WIC computer-generated reports on an ongoing basis and utilize for program evaluation, QA, needs assessment and coordination/integration with other agencies.
- Audit charts of other staff members for completeness/follow-up on high-risk care.
- Completes PNCC questionnaire with pregnant participants, scores completed questionnaire and makes appropriate referrals.
- Evaluate potential participant nutritional status.
- Identify and prioritize health and dietary risk factors.
- Build and maintain ROSIE scheduler.
- Enroll and coach Fit Families participants.
- Policy Development/Program Planning Skills
- Help in coordinating and planning outreach efforts.
- Utilize reports to help in maintaining caseload.
- Help in coordinating and planning Fit Families event.

Communication Skills
- There is significant interaction with clients and other community service agencies.
- Work with computer support staff to trouble shoot computer problems.
- Make referrals to various services and programs in the community. Initiate appropriate health care and social service providers as needed.
- Provide nutrition assessment, counseling and education to participants. Utilize Value Enhanced Nutrition Assessment (VENA) approach.
- Experience utilizing motivational interviewing to assist participants with SMART goal creation.

Cultural Competency Skills
- Employ strategies to assure culturally-sensitive public health and health service delivery systems.

Community Dimensions of Practice Skills
- Work with other agencies/programs to promote community health; including outreach efforts to promote the WIC program.
- Maintain a work environment that supports and accommodates the needs of breastfeeding participants, their infants and families.

Public Health Science Skills
- Perform health assessment, including height/weight, hemoglobin, lead and appropriate health counseling.
- Keep abreast of latest nutrition and breastfeeding trends and research. Attend educational and training programs as needed. Obtaining at least 75 hours of continuing education every 5 years per identified training needs.
- Initiate referrals to appropriate health care and social service providers as needed.
- Respond to Public Health emergencies, as needed, including outside regular office hours.

Financial Planning and Management Skills
- Responsible to fill out and submit timesheet in a timely manner.
- Help choosing NERI items for Fit Families program.

Leadership and Systems Thinking Skills
- May provide direction to clerical and aide staff.
- May be assigned to coordinate or manage projects, such as breast-feeding support program, vendor monitoring/training, fraud and abuse monitoring, and outreach coordination.
- Serve as vendor contact for all vendor related activities in the program and ensure vendor compliance with federal WIC program requirements.

Direct Service Skills
- Responsible for completing all phases of client enrollment in the WIC program, including individual’s needs assessment using person-centered principles. Certify, refer and follow up high risk individuals.
- Provide nutrition counseling for qualifying women, infants and children; counsels high risk individuals concerning various health issues. Provide education services to WIC mothers related to breast-feeding.

Other duties may be required and assigned, including responding to an emergency event.

**Typical Qualifications**:
**Minimum Training and Experience Required to Perform Essential Job Functions**
- Bachelor or Associate Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics or related field from an accredited University. DTR (Dietetic Technician Registered)/RDN (Registered Dietitian Nutritionist) or registry eligible preferred.
- Minimum of one-year experience in a clinic, hospital setting or WIC clinic is preferred.
- Experience with Breastfeeding desired; Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) or International
- Board Certified Lactation Counselor (IBCLC) preferred.
- Valid Wisconsin driver’s license.