Community Nutritionist

**Job Description**:
In accordance with the Vision, Purpose, and Values, and strategic direction of the Vancouver Island Health Authority, patient safety is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at VIHA; as such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position.

Reporting to the Manager or designate, and working as part of an interdisciplinary team, provides a wide variety of community-based public health nutrition services. The Community Nutritionist has professional, advisory and education responsibilities directed towards health promotion and disease prevention within the community. The Community Nutritionist plans, organizes, coordinates, administers and evaluates specific components of the Prevention Services Nutrition Program. The Community Nutritionist advocates for and implements food and nutrition policies, establishes referral mechanisms, liaises with a variety of health and other personnel as well as individuals, organization and institutions in the community, developing/delivering programs with a primary focus on prenatal, infant, children and family. In addition the Community Nutritionist advocates for the prevention of atopy by collaborating with VIHA staff and other health professionals through consistent standards of practice, as well as education and promotion of resources in the community. In doing so, performs these duties without general supervision.

**QUALIFICATIONS**:
**Education, Training And Experience**:
Baccalaureate Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics and Dietetic Internship from an accredited facility. Registration with the College of Dietitians of British Columbia required. Eligible for membership with the Dietitians of Canada (DC). Two (2) years of recent related community based experience including experience working with a focus on prenatal and postnatal clients, infants, children and youth or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience. Valid BC Driver's Licence.

**Skills And Abilities**:

- Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing including interviewing, interpersonal and leadership skills and problem-solving ability and conflict resolution skills.
- Ability to work independently, organize workload, establish priorities and show initiative and creativity in clinical practice.
- Ability to exercise sound judgement, decision-making and problem solving.
- Ability to work effectively as part of an inter-disciplinary team.
- Ability to establish relationships with internal and external contacts.
- Knowledge of community dynamics, agencies and resources.
- Ability to deal with others effectively.
- Ability to operate related equipment including word processing equipment.
- Ability to teach and conduct presentations.
- Ability to demonstrate sound professional judgement, empathy, tact and integrity and the ability to respect client's rights, values and preferences including multi-cultural issues.
- Ability to work with media such as print, television and radio.
- Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.

**Job Requirements**: