Nutritionist Health Educator

Impact Lives, Impact Community

Family Health Centers of San Diego (FHCSD) is passionate about providing exceptional health care to all, especially underserved communities with limited health care options. Founded by a Latina grandmother/community advocate over 50 years ago in Barrio Logan, FHCSD has grown into one of the largest community health systems in the country. With over 90 sites, over 227,000 patients, and over 1.1 million healthcare visits last year, we provide a wide variety of health care and outreach services to a very diverse patient population. We are proud of our mission, our lasting community impact, and the cultural and individual diversity of our staff.

General Job Description

*As a Nutritionist-Health Educator for Family Health Centers of San Diego, you provide individual nutrition assessment, education, and care plans for our patients. You participate in and support individual, family, and group nutrition/chronic disease education services by creating culturally and linguistically appropriate curriculums, planning programs, delivering education, and evaluating effectiveness. You have a passion for community health promotion, for serving the medically underserved, and you understand-and can easily communicate-how nutrition drives patient health and outcomes.

Job Roles

*Actively keeps knowledge up-to-date by attending in-services, conferences, and seeking on-going educational opportunities. Continually seeks self-growth opportunities.

*Actively participates in and contributes to Health Education/project staff meetings, projects and other activities.

*Completes all required documentation accurately, in a timely manner, and thoroughly in accordance with department standards.

*Conducts nutrition/health education assessments, establishes individual care plans, and uses medical data to determine health risks and needs of patients. Ensures maximum utilization of schedules by proactively managing visits, including scheduling follow-up appointments, calling no-shows, working with recall technicians, PSRs, and Case managers.

*Individually and/or with the nutrition team, plans, creates, and develops nutrition and health education topic outlines and curriculums, incorporating various learning techniques and formats (i.e., group discussion, lectures, role-play, etc.). Reviews and assists in determining the linguistic and cultural appropriateness of materials, teaching aids, activities, methods, strategies, programs, etc. Review the efficacy of materials and programs and provides positive, action-oriented feedback. Assists with the translation and/or revisions of translated materials as appropriate.

*Performs other duties as assigned.

*Provides group classes on nutrition/health education topics, ensuring correct material is delivered in culturally appropriate and relevant ways.

Education/Certifications/Licenses/Registrations

*3 years of experience in nutrition and/or chronic disease education or closely related field.

*Bachelor's degree in Foods & Nutrition, Health Science, Nutritional Science, or closely related field required.

*Traveling between sites and other locations is occasionally required. Must have a valid California driver’s license, an automobile, and proof of minimum levels of car insurance as required under California law, although limits of $100,000 are recommended. An acceptable driving record is also required. California law requires all drivers to obtain a valid California driver’s license within ten days of establishing residency. Reasonable accommodation may be provided on a case-by-case basis. Mileage and other reimbursement governed by policy.

Experience/Specialized skills (including Language)

*Ability to work effectively with patients from diverse social, cultural and economic groups.

*Ability to work well in both a team-based environment and independently.

*Basic computer literacy ability to comply with department needs and expectations (i.e., electronic medical record documentation, obtaining background information and reports on patients, following up on appts, etc.).

*Bilingual in Spanish/English required.

*Demonstrated ability to be culturally sensitive and respect diversity.

*Good written and verbal communication skills.

*Knowledge of adult and child education techniques, practices, and tools.

*Knowledge of current nutritional science theories and best practices, and ability to translate best practices into meaningful, culturally appropriate resources.

*Knowledge of the community resources, health and social service systems in San Diego County and skill in establishing working relationships