WIC Nutrition Coordinator

The WIC Nutrition Coordinator provides guidance and support to staff with daily clinical activities to ensure the WIC Program operates in compliance with State and Federal requirements. Coordinates the breastfeeding program and works with breastfeeding peer counselors. In collaboration with the WIC Director, coordinates the nutrition education activities and quality assurance (QA) plans for the WIC program. The WIC Nutrition Coordinator supports the WIC Director in training staff and fulfilling Local Agency reporting requirements to DC Health.
Provides leadership and support to all nutrition and breastfeeding staff. Assesses the client's nutritional and/or health risks and prescribe food packages. Determines and prioritizes nutritional risks of clients. Provides nutritional instruction in individual and group settings. Develops nutritional care plans for high-risk individuals. Also acts as a Competent Professional (CPA) when needed and is responsible for the certification and nutrition education of WIC participants.
Coordinates nutritional care with other members of the health care team to assure medical and social services. Provides individual instruction and follow-up. Keeps abreast of current research findings in maternal and child health nutrition. Establishes and conducts programs to promote, support, and protect breastfeeding.,Minimum Education
Bachelor's Degree Public Health Nutrition, Nutrition Science, Nutrition, Dietetics, or nutrition related field (Required) Or
Master's Degree in nutrition or clinical/professional specialty for new graduates starting after 2024 (Required)
Minimum Work Experience
2 years of job-related experience (Required)
Required Skills/Knowledge
Must have management, supervisory experience, skills and training.
In collaboration with the WIC Director shall coordinate the nutrition education and breastfeeding activities and quality assurance (QA) plans for the WIC program.
Supports the WIC Director in training staff and fulfilling Local Agency reporting requirements to DC Heath
Acts as a Competent Professional (CPA) when needed and is responsible for the certification and nutrition education of WIC participants.
Required Licenses and Certifications
Licensed in the District of Columbia as a Registered Dietitian (RD) or Nutritionist (LN) or licensed in another state with proof of application for District of Columbia licensure (Required) Registered Dietitian (Required) Or
Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) (Required) Or Licensed Dietitian or Nutritionist (LD or LD) in the District of Columbia (Required)
Functional Accountabilities
Coordination
In collaboration with the WIC Director shall coordinate the nutrition education activities and quality assurance (QA) plans for the WIC program
Supports the WIC Director in training staff and fulfilling Local Agency reporting requirements to DC Heath This position also acts as a Competent Professional (CPA) when needed and is responsible for the certification and nutrition education of WIC participants
Reports directly to the WIC Director and will be responsible for providing leadership and support to all nutrition and breastfeeding staff.
Helps in the development and evaluation of the WIC Program’s overall Nutrition Services Plan
Helps in the development of the WIC Program’s policies, procedures and/or guidelines that pertain to nutrition services e.g., nutrition assessment, nutrition education, food package prescriptions, and job descriptions
Coordinates nutrition services with other internal departments and other nutrition assistance program partners, including both public and private organizations
Evaluates participant feedback on nutrition education and makes any necessary changes based on participant feedback
Assists the WIC director with tracking caseload, enrollment, participation, and other WIC metrics
Assists the WIC Director with compliance, monitoring, and evaluation, annual plans, and quarterly reports, and other reporting as needed
Provides guidance to the nutrition and breastfeeding team on day-to-day clinical practice to assure that the WIC Program is conducted in compliance with State and Federal requirements
Monitors the planning, scheduling, and implementation of the training programs for Local Agency WIC and intra-agency clinic staff to address the nutritional and health care needs of the participants
Assists in the development, implementation, and evaluation of nutrition education programs to meet the needs of the WIC community, taking into consideration cultural and ethnic needs, including selection of appropriate materials, formats, and scheduling of sessions
Serves as a breastfeeding coordinator and will coordinate breastfeeding program and monitor breastfeeding peer counselors as needed.
Perform other tasks determined necessary by the Director of the WIC Program
Training
Provides technical assistance and consultation on nutrition services to WIC staff and other health professionals.
Provides in-service training and technical assistance for WIC staff involved in providing nutrition education to participants
Keeps current with up-to-date nutrition and breastfeeding information and disseminates this as well as WIC State Agency-provided information to other staff
Provides technical nutrition support in the development and revisions of State Agency Nutrition
Identifies or develops appropriate nutrition education resources and materials
Ensures delivery by staff of accurate and effective education using creative and interactive methodologies, by observation of individual and group sessions for accurate and appropriate delivery of effective education
Trains and mentors interns in dietetics and community nutrition
Nutrition Education
Assesses anthropometric data, medical history and lab values.
Assigns nutritional risk codes to clients based on established guidelines.
Develops high-risk care plan and follow-up care in
Prescribes food package taking nutritional needs, food preferences, and cultural background into consideration.
Provides individual and group education.
Includes substance abuse education and referrals.
Breastfeeding Advocacy and Coordination
Establishes and conducts activities as necessary to promote and support breastfeeding among the target population and evaluate the effectiveness of these services
Participates in breastfeeding promotion.
Acts as a breastfeeding coordinator on rotation, as needed.
Issues manual and electric breast pumps and maintain issuance log.
Refers clients to breastfeeding peer counselor/lactation specialist.
Caseload Management and Outreach Activities
Ensures effective operation and WIC caseload management in the WIC clinic.
Maintains established show rate at the clinic.
Conducts outreach activities in the community to promote good nutrition and the benefits of the WIC program
Assures comprehensive medical and social services for clients.
Safety
Speak up when team members appear to exhibit unsafe behavior or performance
Continuously validate and verify information needed for decision making or documentation
Stop in the face of uncertainty and takes time to resolve the situation
Demonstrate accurate, clear and timely verbal and written communication
Actively promote safety for patients, families, visitors and co-workers
Attend carefully to important details - practicing Stop, Think, Act and Review in order to self-check behavior and performance
Organizational Accountabilities
Conduct training programs for the WIC staff and intra-agency clinic staff, as needed.
Assist to develop at least one annual plan objective for the assigned site/agency.
Assist with annual plan goals and objectives of the agency.
Keep abreast of current research findings in MCH nutrition in order to insure appropriate intervention
Organizational Commitment/Identification
Partner in the mission and upholds the core principles of the organization
Committed to diversity and recognizes value of cultural ethnic differences
Demonstrate personal and professional integrity
Maintain confidentiality at all times
Use resources efficiently
Customer Service
Anticipate and responds to customer needs; follows up until needs are met.
Address escalated customer service requests and complaints, providing support and resolution at an advanced level.
Teamwork/Communication
Demonstrate collaborative and respectful behavior
Partner with all team members to achieve goals
Receptive to others’ ideas and opinions
Contribute to a positive work environment
Demonstrate flexibility and willingness to change
Identify opportunities to improve clinical and administrative processes
Make appropriate decisions, using sound judgment
Organizational Accountabilities
Annual Plan - Goals and Objectives
Conduct training programs for the WIC staff and intra-agency clinic staff, as needed.
Assist to develop at least one annual plan objective for the assigned site/agency.
Assist with annual plan goals and objectives of the agency.
Keep abreast of current research findings in MCH nutrition in order to insure appropriate intervention.
Organizational Commitment/Identification
Partner in the mission and upholds the core principles of the organization
Committed to diversity and recognizes value of cultural ethnic differences
Demonstrate personal and professional integrity
Maintain confidentiality at all times
Customer Service
Anticipate and responds to customer needs; follows up until needs are met
Teamwork/Communication
Demonstrate collaborative and respectful behavior
Partner with all team members to achieve goals
Receptive to others’ ideas and opinions
Performance Improvement/Problem-solving
Contribute to a positive work environment
Demonstrate flexibility and willingness to change
Identify opportunities to improve clinical and administrative processes
Make appropriate decisions, using sound judgment
Cost Management/Financial Responsibility
Use resources efficiently
Search for less costly ways of doing things
Organizational Accountabilities (Leader)
Deliver
Set and clearly communicate team goals and priorities in alignment with departmental goals and budgets
Develop the budget and assign resources to meet the team goals
Provide the resources and guidance required for employees to perform effectively
Develop procedures to ensure high safety and quality, and course-correct as needed
Identify customers’ needs and ensure service excellence in meeting those needs
Engage
Be the link between the department and the team in defining the strategies to meet team goals
Provide prompt and clear feedback to staff and support their performance
Ensure team adherence to organizational regulations
Manage the working environment to promote productivity and motivation
Represent the team in clearing obstacles to high performance
Hire staff and develop their capabilities
Monitor and promote strong employee engagement
Grow
Encourage and share new ways of making the right work easier to do
Recognize and share incremental improvements in operations
Promote the success of organizational and department initiatives by clearly aligning programs to the mission