Requisition No: 214061
Agency: Department of Health
Working Title: NUTRITION EDUCATOR - 64067461
Position Number: 64067461
Salary:  $31,049.98
Posting Closing Date: 08/13/2020
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH – HILLSBOROUGH
WIC/Nutrition Division – Nutrition Educator
9827 Sheldon Road, Tampa, FL 33635
NUTRITION EDUCATOR
Thank you for your interest in career opportunities with the Florida Department of Health - Hillsborough County.  If you're looking to build a great career in public health - you've come to the right place.  Many of our innovative and successful health programs are recognized throughout Florida. We hope you decide to join this team and make the Florida Department of Health - Hillsborough County your employer of choice.
The Department of Health’s mission is to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, and community efforts.
The Florida Department of Health is responsible for the health and safety of all citizens and visitors to the state. As a public health agency, the Florida Department of Health must monitor the health status of Floridians, diagnose and investigate health problems, and mobilize local communities to address health-related issues. The Florida Department of Health develops policies and plans that support health goals, enforce laws and regulations that protect the health of all residents and visitors, and link people to needed health care services. The Florida Department of Health also provides specialized assistance to pregnant women, infants, and children with special health care needs, regulates health care practitioners, and provides medical disability determinations.
Nutrition Educator
T his entry level nutrition position for the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infant and Children (WIC) Program. Certifies clients for participation in the WIC Program. Provides individual counseling sessions to WIC clients meeting high and low nutritional risk criteria. Assesses clients' nutritional needs, counsels and documents session prior to the end of the day. Provides referrals to services as needed. Develops care plans when necessary. Care plans are written in SOAP format with appropriate client centered goals. Assigns food packages based on nutritional assessment. Counsels on interconception care for postpartum/ breastfeeding clients.
Works with clients, answering questions regarding nutrition and diet, assessing anthropometric data and diet intakes, and entering medical data into a computer database.  Strong communication skills are a must. This position may also be required to present nutrition education to small groups of WIC participants.  Applicant should be detail-oriented and able to multi-task.
Responsibilities include:
Certifies clients for WIC. Provides individual counseling to WIC clients meeting high and low nutritional risk criteria. Assesses clients' nutritional needs, develops care plans with goal setting using soap note format and provides 2nd nutrition education contacts to all clients in the family record.
Reviews client records for medically high risk criteria and makes referrals to the licensed dietitian. If fluent in another language, you may be required to assist with translating to ensure quality client services.
Collects anthropometric data of clients through conducting heights/stature and weight measurements. Performs fingers sticks to assess hemoglobin levels of WIC participants. Will receive training on proper anthropometric and hematological collection methods by an approved trainer prior to job duties.
Conducts and/or attends health related meetings, staff meetings, committees, and workgroups. Assists with outreach activities, health fairs and other community activities as needed. Completes related assignments as necessary. Employee works for the FDOH - Hillsborough and at times will be scheduled to work in other locations.
Provides breastfeeding education, encouragement, guidance, and referrals to ensure success. Assists with WIC breastfeeding activities.
Receives exempt formula upon arrival to the clinic site. Documents receipt and returns inventory paperwork to the employee responsible for the master inventory. Participates in performing formula inventory on the last working day each month.
Documents smoking cessation referrals in client education notes and in the HMS system. Issues WIC benefits to participants when appropriate or directed by clinic supervisor.
If fluent in another language, you may be required to assist with translating to ensure quality client services.
Seeks to improve professional development within the scope of public health by way of approved workshops and training activities.
Attends staff meetings and other health related meetings, committee meetings, and workgroups as needed. Travels to clinics and performs other duties as assigned by supervisor. Employee works for the HCHD and at times will be scheduled to work in other locations.
Submits reports such as travel, HMS, People First  within the timeframe assigned
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor of Science degree from a Nutrition/Dietetics Program that is recognized by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)
Preferred Qualifications:
Bilingual, English and Spanish
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Bachelor of Science degree from a Nutrition/Dietetics Program that is recognized by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).  Effective verbal and written communication skills. Knowledge of local, state, and federal WIC Program policies and procedures. Knowledge of current science and practice of food, nutrition and dietetics; normal nutrition principles and dietary needs throughout the life cycle. Ability to asses appropriate and effective feeding for women, infants and children. Effectively counsel using the VENA techniques. Medical terminology. Nutrition charting techniques using the SOAP format. Ability to use computer, digital scale, balance scale, stature board, HemoCue machine, copier, telephone. Computer skills:  thorough knowledge, skills and ability to use Excel, Word, Outlook, FL WiSE.
Department of Health Career Service employees enjoy the following benefits:
• State of Florida Retirement package - 3% employee contribution required
• 9 Annual paid holidays
• Ability to earn 104 hours of paid Annual Leave (annually)
• Ability to earn 104 Hours of paid Sick Leave (annually)
• Health insurance for individual or family coverage - State pays 80% of premium
• Life insurance – State pays 100% of premium
• Additional supplemental insurances available such as dental, disability, etc.
• Tax Deferred Medical and Child Care Reimbursement Accounts available
• Tuition waivers to attend State Universities/Community Colleges
• Public Service and Nurse’s Forgiveness Program
• Additional benefits information can be found under the employment section of http://hillsborough.floridahealth.gov/about-us/careers.html
Important Notices- Please be advised:
***Note: Your responses to qualifying questions for this position must be verifiable by documentation provided through the electronic application process. Please review your resume and application thoroughly.
When completing the online application, all gaps of employment or education greater than 90 days starting from high school must be explained (approximate date, month and year) identifying company name or if unemployed.  Incomplete applications/resumes will not be considered.
The application includes background information questions.  A “yes” answer to these questions will not automatically bar you from employment.  The nature, job-relatedness, severity, and date of the offence in relation to the position you are applying are considered.   Please make sure all questions are answered thoroughly.
Incumbents may be required to perform emergency duty before, during, and/or beyond normal work hours or days.
Current State Employees - Salary for current employees is based on employee’s current pay band/ paygrade.  Salary for promotions will be based on budget availability and Senior Management Team approval.
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, visit http://www.sss.gov .
This position requires a security background check and/or drug screening and participation in direct deposit. Note: You will be required to provide your Social Security Number (SSN) in order to conduct this background check.
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 on 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.
Veteran Information : Certain veterans and spouses of veterans receive preference in employment by the state (applies only to positions within the Career Service).
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 Departments 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.
The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.
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.  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.