Nutritionist 2 - 05182023-46129 Jobs

Job Information

LOCATION OF (1) POSITION(S) TO BE FILLED: DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, LOCAL HEALTH DIVISION, RUTHERFORD COUNTY

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience: Possession of proof of registration in active status as a Registered Dietitian (RD) with the Commission on Dietetic Registration and experience equivalent to one year of full-time professional nutrition work.
OR
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a master's degree in human nutrition, dietetics, or any public or community health field dealing with applied human nutrition; and possession of proof of registration in active status as a Registered Dietitian (RD) with the Commission on Dietetic Registration.

Other Requirements

Necessary Special Qualifications: Possession of proof of registration in active status as a Registered Dietitian (RD) with the Commission on Dietetic Registration is required at the time of appointment and must be maintained during employment in the Nutritionist 2 job classification. A valid vehicle operator's license may be required for employment in some positions.
Note: A transcript is required for a proper evaluation for this class.

Examination Method: Education and Experience, 100%, for Preferred Service positions.

Job Overview

Summary: Under general supervision, is responsible for professional nutrition work of average difficulty which often includes leading lower Nutritionists in work; and performs related work as required.
Distinguishing Features: An employee in this class is responsible for evaluating nutrition services and medical nutrition therapy provided and assessing community needs at a county or district level within a region of the state. This class differs from that of Nutritionist 1 in that an incumbent of the latter performs work of more routine difficulty and may be subordinate to a Nutritionist 2. This class differs from that of Nutritionist 3 in that an incumbent of the latter acts as a program manager for one or more nutrient programs in a multiple-county region.

Work Activities

Making Decisions and Solving Problems:

• Develops and documents appropriate nutrition plan of care to comply with program guidelines and practice standards.
• Certifies patients who meet criteria and documents in medical records to provide appropriate services.
• Assigns appropriate supplemental food packages to comply with program guidelines.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings:

• Performs home visits to observe and assess nutrition status, as needed.
• Monitors patient's nutrition status to identify needs.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People:

• Evaluates how well a subordinate or peer performs according to policies and program guidelines, as required.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others:

• Handles complaints and misunderstandings to minimize disputes and facilitate performance, as needed.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards:

• Determines patients' eligibility for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) to comply with program guidelines.
• Determines patient eligibility for therapeutic products to comply with program guidelines, as required.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge:

• Maintain continuing education as required by the Commission of Dietetic Registration.
• Attends required trainings in order to stay up to date with current knowledge and policies.

Processing Information:

• Performs calculations to determine client risk criteria such as body mass index, gestational age, appropriate nutrition intake, and estimated date of delivery.

Training and Teaching Others:

• Develops and provides a variety of teaching strategies and tools, including posters or lesson plans to promote healthy lifestyle behaviors.
• Serves as the nutrition expert on multi-agency committees by providing technical nutrition information and advice.
• Conveys information on breastfeeding techniques, diabetes care, and other nutrition issues by using multiple media to promote lifestyles behaviors.

Performing Administration Activities:

• Enters patients' information according to Subjective Objective Assessment Plan or other required format according to the polices and guidelines.
• Prepares report as directed by supervisors to track nutrition activities, as required.
• Documents information associated with the patients' nutrition care plan, Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT), nutrition counseling, and education into patients' medical records according to the policies and guidelines.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others:

• Interprets and explains nutrition data and risk to patient to promote behavior change and comply with program guidelines.

Developing Objectives and Strategies:

• Assists in the development of long range goals and objectives to create nutrition and breastfeeding plans, as needed.

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates:

• Provides guidance and direction to subordinates, including monitoring performance to improve or maintain standards, as needed.

Getting Information:

• Interviews patients to assess their literacy level, cultural background and readiness to learn.
• Consults with healthcare providers to determine nutrition related needs of the patient.
• Assesses nutrition related questionnaire and data to determine the patient's stage of readiness and goals.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work:

• Develops specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work in an efficient manner.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates:

• Communicates with supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates using multiple media to effectively relay work related information.

Staffing Organizational Units:

• Assists in the recruiting and/or interviewing process to fill staff positions, as required.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization:

• Promotes community nutrition and education activities for healthy lifestyle behavior changes.
• Identifies and contacts health care providers and staff of health facilities, health department programs, and agencies within the community that can offer medical care and social services assistance to patients.
• Maintains knowledge of community resources to provide referrals and resources to public.

Analyzing Data or Information:

• Analyzes medical information including cholesterol and blood glucose levels, biochemical data, or anthropometric data, to indentify lab value fluctuations, how food interacts with patients' medication, or other nutrition related information, as required.
• Evaluates progress on nutrition goals utilizing patient input to determine patient stage of change.
• Compares patient's data against program nutrition risk criteria to determine program eligibility.
• Identifies and assess community nutrition trends and needs at the local level to develop appropriate services for the public.

Coaching and Developing Others:

• Mentors others to improve their knowledge or skills, as needed.

Scheduling Work and Activities:

• Schedules activities for subordinates to assure the provision of quality nutrition services, as required.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relations:

• Develops and maintains constructive and cooperative working relationships with others to promote effective work environment.

Monitoring and Controlling Resources:

• Monitors and inventories resources related to infant feeding such as breastfeeding aids and infant formula according to policies and program guidelines, as required.

Competencies (KSA'S)

Competencies:

• Written Communications
• Understanding Others
• Action Oriented
• Decision Quality
• Listening
• Customer Focus
• Problem Solving
• Interpersonal Savvy

Knowledge:

• Psychology
• Sociology and Anthropology
• Biology
• Therapy and Counseling
• Mathematics
• Chemistry

Skills:

• Active Listening
• Speaking
• Critical Thinking
• Judgment and Decision Making
• Reading Comprehension
• Instructing
• Social Perceptiveness
• Writing

Abilities:

• Written Expression
• Written Comprehension
• Speech Clarity
• Speech Recognition
• Oral Expression
• Oral Comprehension
• Auditory Attention
• Problem Sensitivity

Tools and Equipment Used

• Printer
• Smart Phone
• Calculator
• Personal Computer
• Fax Machine
• Impedance Meters
• Scanner
• Electronic Devices
• Retail Sales Equipment
• Microfilm
• Copy Machine
• Microfiche

Other office related equipment as required
Various medical equipment and devices

TN Driver Standards

State of Tennessee positions that may involve driving responsibilities require candidates to meet the following minimum driver qualifications:

• A valid driver's license
• For the past five years, the candidate's driver record must not have record of the following violations: driving under the influence (DUI), reckless driving, license suspension for moving violations, more than 4 moving violations.

Please include your Driver's License Information under the Licenses and Certifications section of your application.

**Agencies may allow an exception based on other factors.