Nutrition Program Assistant Jobs in Somerville, MA

Position Title:            WIC Program Nutritionist
Department:               WIC
Supervisor:                Senior Nutritionist
Hours Per Week:       35 hours 
FLSA Status:             Non-Exempt

Pay Range:  The expected base pay for the position is $25-$37 per hour and may be increased based on other factors, such as language, certifications, etc.

Primary Function:

The Program Nutritionist supports the WIC program by providing direct nutrition services to participants, with a primary focus on high-risk prenatal and postpartum individuals, infants, and children. Participants receive nutrition assessments, appropriate food package prescriptions, and individualized counseling. The Program Nutritionist also contributes to education material development, staff training, and quality assurance, helping maintain high standards of care and program compliance.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Provide nutrition care to high-risk prenatal and postpartum individuals, infants and children under the supervision of the senior nutritionist, including all aspects of: 
• Anthropometric and hematological data collection. 
• Dietary assessment, nutritional risk assessment and food package prescription. 
• Nutrition and breastfeeding counseling and education. 
• Documentation and data entry. 
• Referrals to other health and social services. 
• Follow-up nutrition education. 

Participate in planning, development, and evaluation of: 
•    Educational materials and group nutrition education, participant counseling and education strategies, nutrition in-services and outreach activities, and nutrition policies. 

Assist Senior Nutritionist in: 
• Training paraprofessional WIC staff. 
• Conducting quality assurance activities.

Communicate with health care community on issues pertaining to participant needs. 

Provide nutrition care for low-risk applicants and participants as needed. 

Perform other duties as needed, including: 
• Assisting in the training of CPA Is and IIs.
• Quality assurance activities.  

Minimum Basic Knowledge:

• Bachelor’s degree in public health nutrition, nutrition, food & nutrition, or nutrition education required. 
• Master’s degree in public health nutrition, nutrition, or food & nutrition desired; Registration with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, or licensure with the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Dietitians and Nutritionists is ideal.    

Experience & Qualifications:

•    One year’s experience in clinical or community nutrition preferred. 
•    Demonstrated leadership and decision-making capabilities.
•    Solid communications skills. 
•    Sensitivity to the needs of the participant population. 
•    Availability to work at multiple WIC sites and during program clinic hours as needed. 
•    In addition to English, ability to speak other languages, such as Spanish, Cape Verdean Creole, French, and/or Haitian Creole highly desirable. 

Essential Functions:

The Program Nutritionist must be able to perform the following essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation: 
•    Conduct nutrition assessments and collect anthropometric and hematological data for high-risk and low-risk participants.
•    Complete dietary assessments, determine nutritional risk, and prescribe WIC food packages. 
•    Provide individualized nutrition and breastfeeding counseling in person, by phone, or virtually.
•    Document services accurately in the WIC information system and maintain participant records. 
•    Provide follow-up education and make referrals to medical, social service, and community resources. 
•    Assist in developing, evaluating, and delivering individual and group nutrition education.
•    Support staff training, quality assurance efforts, and program outreach activities.
•    Communicate effectively with participants, families, staff, and healthcare providers.
•    Use standard office equipment and WIC tools (computers, phones, infant scales, stadiometers, etc.).
•    Travel between WIC sites or partner locations as needed.
•    Maintain confidentiality, cultural responsiveness, and professional conduct in all interactions. 

Physical Requirements:    

•    Ability to sit or stand for extended periods.
•    Ability to bend or lift infants and small children onto measurement equipment (up to 25 lbs).
•    Ability to move between work areas and sites as needed. 

Supervisory Responsibility:
 None

Define Access Level to PHI:    Level 4: Authorized to access full health information. UCHC position and job responsibilities involve the provision of patient care and working as a clinical team member. Staff in this category level, although allowed full access, should only access the necessary information for each respective treatment encounter/circumstance.