The job outlook for nutritionists is average of July 2010, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Opportunities are expected to grow nine percent between 2008 and 2018. WIC nutritionists will see fluctuating job opportunities based on economic environment, with greater opportunities in developed WIC nutrition states like California, Maine and Texas.

WIC nutritionists monitor client dietary progress and ensure families are properly utilizing their benefits to meet their nutritional needs. Some nutritionists may assign food logs to help families determine what needs are still going unmet. WIC nutritionists are often in contact with healthcare providers and express any concern over dietary deficiencies or excesses to the proper medical support so changes can be made. If necessary, WIC nutritionists refer clients to other agencies that can assist with medical difficulties or concerns such as Medicaid or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).

WIC nutritionists are required to help determine benefits based upon need. This will require communication with other state workers (such as social workers or human service workers) to ascertain eligibility for WIC benefits. After determining their nutritional needs, the WIC nutritionist will then make a dietary plan that fits their benefit eligibility. Working closely to ensure that WIC benefits can satisfy basic dietary needs, the nutritionist may then outline supplementary dietary needs based on client history and possibly refer clients to food stamp programs to assist with additional costs.

One of the major job duties of a WIC nutritionist is to assess the nutritional needs of an entire family. This requires knowledge of both adult and child nutrition standards. WIC nutritionists will conduct a client intake, determine current diet and compare that against the ideal nutritional requirements for all family members. After assessing their needs, along with their deficiencies and excesses, the nutritionist will often make a plan to improve their regimen.

WIC nutritionists must hold a bachelor’s degree in nutrition, health sciences or a related field. Most employers require a minimum of two years of job experience or internship experience as a general nutritionist to be eligible for WIC nutritionist positions. Some states offer lower-level nutrition consultant positions that require only a bachleor’s degree. California, for example, has several WIC positions, from registered dietitians to dietitian consultants to degreed nutritionists. WIC nutritionists there must also go through an apprenticeship program and training period before becoming WIC certified.

The WIC dietitian provides community based nutrition programs focused on improving the nutrition status of women and children. They provides community education and outreach regarding the benefit of WIC services and the importance of good nutrition. Assists in developing press releases and media publicity for WIC services and educational information for the target population. Responsible for coordinating with lay outreach workers.

Prescribes food packages and diet plans for participants based on their medical and nutritional needs according to women, infants, and children (WIC) program policies. Writes and issues vouchers for WIC approved foods. Determines WIC eligibility of clients through nutritional, health and medical, and income evaluations and assessments. Confers with public health staff regarding food and nutrition problems of clientele. Completes and submits periodic program evaluation reports, and develops and implements program guidelines. Reviews, recommends, and selects nutrition education and visual aid materials for educating participants, staff, and community groups.

WIC Dietitian Job Description

Accreditation is required for Medicare reimbursement of the G codes for DSMT. Accreditation does not, however, guarantee reimbursement. Although most payers require that a DSME/T program has accreditation, reimbursement criteria vary. For example, Medicare provides reimbursement for accredited DSMT programs that are considered “Certified Providers.” Many private payers require that provider agreements be in place prior to providing reimbursement.

At least one of the instructors must be a registered nurse, dietitian, or pharmacist. The instructors must have recent educational and experiential preparation in diabetes education and/or are a CDE. All instructors (including a CDE) will have documentation of at least 15 continuing education hours yearly specified as being diabetes-specific, diabetes-related, and behavior change self-management education strategies (e.g., AADE7 Self-Care Behaviors).

Diabetes education, also known as diabetes self-management training (DSMT) or diabetes self-management education (DSME), is defined as a collaborative process through which people with or at risk for diabetes gain the knowledge and skills needed to modify behavior and successfully self-manage the disease and its related conditions.

DSMT/DSME is an interactive, ongoing process involving the person with diabetes (or the caregiver or family) and a diabetes educator(s). The intervention aims to achieve optimal health status, better quality of life and reduce the need for costly health care.

Diabetes education focuses on seven self-care behaviors that are essential for improved health status and greater quality of life. The AADE7™ Self-Care Behaviors are:

• Healthy eating
• Being active
• Monitoring
• Taking medication
• Problem solving
• Healthy coping
• Reducing risks

Diabetes education is most often provided by diabetes educators. Diabetes educators give people with diabetes the knowledge, skills and tools they need to successfully manage their diabetes and avoid many of the complications associated with the disease.

Many insurance companies allow physician to get reimbursed for the patient visit only if they see the patient face-to-face.

The dietitian can negotiate fees based on hourly wages or fee per patient initial visit or follow-up visit.

Pros:

• Flexible schedule
• Tax benefits for home office, equipment, utilities, services,
• Set own costs and fees

Cons:

• No show – no pay
• Responsible for everything
• Keep up on reimbursement issues and regulations
• No accounts-receivable department