WIC Nutritionist

Optimus Health Care is a Federally Qualified Health Center with sites operating in Bridgeport, Stamford, and Stratford, CT. We are the largest provider of primary health services in Fairfield County, proudly serving all patients regardless of their ability to pay.

Join our team based model of care delivered in a kind and compassionate manner.

We are currently recruiting for a WIC Nutritionist for our Stamford, CT location. This is s 100% grant funded position and the Nutritionist participates in a Saturday rotation ( about 4 times per year) and includes one late evening per week.

POSITION SUMMARY

Responsible for providing nutrition education, information, and referrals to participants of the WIC Program.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES

1. As a Competent Professional Authority (CPA) on the staff of the local program, conducts a complete WIC nutrition assessment, determines, and documents nutritional risk of WIC participants as appropriate develops and follow-up on care plans for high-risk participants.
2. Provides and document nutrition education, counseling, and breastfeeding support appropriate to the WIC participant.
3. Provide Nutrition Education consistent with risk criteria Facilitate participant/caretaker setting goals to address risk criteria or participant concerns.
4. Is responsible for appropriate food package assignment and tailoring of WIC food package for WIC participants.
5. Issue WIC food package in accordance with Federal and State regulations.
6. Assures proper certification of eligible applicants.
7. Assists in assuring that WIC meets all Federal, State, and local Agency guidelines.
8. Implements the nutrition and breastfeeding promotion and support services component of the local agency plan.
9. Collects and enters information for the certification process that includes anthropometric and hematological data collection into the CT-WIC program.
10. Provide and document referrals to health and social service programs and appropriate documentation of follow-up.
11. Assists the program with meeting State and local objectives.
12. Attends all mandatory WIC training and all agency training as required.
13. Attends conferences to continue professional development, as time and budget allow. JOB QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION: A Bachelor's degree from a four-year institution accredited by a recognized regional accrediting body with a major in foods and nutrition, community nutrition, nutrition education, or nutritional sciences. Preferably has credentials of a Registered Dietitian (R.D.) or eligibility with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ Commission on Dietetic Registration; if applicable, has State license or certified as a nutritionist/dietitian OR A Master's degree from an institution accredited by a recognized regional accrediting body in nutritional sciences, community nutrition, clinical nutrition, dietetics, public health nutrition, home economics with a major in foods and nutrition.

EXPERIENCE:

1. College graduate with nutrition related courses/subjects required.
2. Education/training or work experience in computer basics and data entry necessary. Competent in word processing programs, i.e., Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.
3. Effective communication and a one-to-one counseling situation and group setting.
4. Prior WIC experience preferred.
5. Knowledge, understanding, and sensitivity to multicultural groups, encompassing their socioeconomic backgrounds.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Bi-lingual Spanish preferred.. Excellent oral and written skills.

LICENSURE /CERTIFICATION: Certified Lactation Consultant not required but a plus

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Basic arithmetic

REASONING ABILITY: Ability to deescalate/reason when dealing with irate participants.

To be part of our organization, every employee should understand and share in Optimus’ Vision, support our Mission, and live our Values. These values-outstanding, patient-centered, trustworthy, integrity, multicultural, understanding, and supportive -help guide what we do, as individuals and professionals, every day.

Working for Optimus:

• OHC provides a fun, fast-paced working environment, where our commitment to quality is present in every job function.

• 100% Outpatient Setting

* Excellent health & welfare benefit options

• Competitive Compensation

• Optimus and its caring, multilingual staff proudly serve our community in a patient-centered environment.

Optimus Healthcare is an Equal Opportunity Employer