Nutritionist/CPA

$60,000 - $65,000/Yr

Unity Health Care - Washington, DC

Full-time - Entry Level

Washington, DC

Ambulatory Health Care Services

About the position

The Nutritionist/Competent Professional Authority (CPA) at Unity Health Care plays a crucial role in supporting the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program by assisting the WIC Director in the certification and nutrition education of WIC participants. This position is responsible for assessing nutritional and health risks of clients, which includes evaluating their eating patterns, breastfeeding goals, economic and cultural backgrounds, food preferences, medical histories, and relevant laboratory values. The CPA will prioritize nutritional risks based on established factors and prescribe tailored food packages that address individual medical and nutritional needs while considering cultural backgrounds and available resources. In addition to individual assessments, the Nutritionist/CPA will provide education and counseling in both individual and group settings, focusing on breastfeeding goals, nutritional needs for women and children, and preventive health measures, including substance abuse education and referrals. The role also involves developing high-risk nutritional care plans and coordinating care with other healthcare team members to ensure comprehensive services for clients, including referrals for additional support such as substance abuse intervention and public assistance programs. The Nutritionist/CPA will be responsible for planning and conducting training programs for Local Agency WIC and intra-agency clinic staff, ensuring that the WIC program complies with State and Federal requirements. This includes the development, implementation, and evaluation of nutrition education programs that meet the diverse needs of the WIC community. The position requires staying updated on current research in maternal and child health and nutrition to provide effective intervention strategies. The Nutritionist/CPA will also maintain accurate documentation of services provided and ensure compliance with WIC policies and procedures, while actively participating in mandatory training sessions. Overall, this position is vital in promoting and supporting breastfeeding among the target population and evaluating the effectiveness of these services, all while maintaining a high standard of care and confidentiality for clients.

Responsibilities

• Assess nutritional and/or health risks of clients.
• Determine and prioritize nutritional risks based on established factors.
• Prescribe food packages to meet individual medical and nutritional needs.
• Ensure confidentiality of WIC data and protect information systems.
• Provide education and counseling in individual and group settings.
• Develop high-risk nutritional care plans and provide follow-up counseling.
• Coordinate nutritional care with other healthcare team members.
• Plan, schedule, and conduct training programs for staff.
• Supervise day-to-day clinical operations of the WIC program.
• Assist in the development and evaluation of nutrition education programs.
• Stay updated on current research in maternal and child health and nutrition.
• Promote and support breastfeeding among the target population.
• Document nutrition education and counseling services appropriately.
• Maintain daily caseload goals as assigned by supervisor.
• Comply with WIC policies regarding service delivery.
• Attend and complete all WIC-related trainings as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree in clinical nutrition, nutrition services, dietetics, or a related field.
• Master's degree is strongly preferred.
• Registered Dietitian (RD) with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics preferred, or eligible to obtain RD.
• Licensure in the District of Columbia, or licensed in another state with proof of application for licensure in DC.
• Ability to supervise and work independently and in a team-oriented environment.
• Excellent people and communication skills.
• Strong organizational, flexible, and action-oriented skills.
• Demonstrated excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent customer service and time management skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.

Nice-to-haves

• Proficiency in Spanish or a second language is strongly preferred.
• Experience working in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment.
• Willingness to work at multiple Unity Health Care sites.