Nutritionist Consultant

Nutritionist Consultant

The Houston Health Department seeks a skilled Nutritionist Consultant to support the Office of Chronic Disease's Diabetes Awareness & Wellness Network (DAWN) and food access programming. The position will provide individual and group nutrition counseling, nutrition education, and diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES), while also supporting billing and reimbursement activities, program documentation, quality assurance, and reporting. Preference will be given to candidates who are Registered Dietitians (RD/RDN) in Texas.

Duties include the following:

• Provide individual nutrition consultations, assessments, counseling, and follow-up services to clients and their families, with an emphasis on diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, weight management, and other chronic conditions.
• Plan and facilitate individual and group nutrition education, including nutrition classes, food demonstrations, grocery store tours, meal planning activities, and other practical nutrition education opportunities.
• Deliver evidence-based chronic disease and diabetes curriculum (DSMES, DPP, CDSMP, etc.) and serve as a nutrition subject matter expert in the implementation and delivery of curriculum.
• Assist with DSMES accreditation and ongoing program requirements, including curriculum updates, documentation, quality assurance activities, record reviews, and preparation for accreditation and monitoring activities.
• Support OCD food access programming through nutrition education, healthy food demonstrations, community-based nutrition activities, and other initiatives designed to increase access to and use of healthy foods.
• Maintain accurate and timely client documentation, including nutrition assessments, care plans, counseling notes, education provided, follow-up activities, and outcomes in designated electronic systems.
• Conduct chart and record reviews to assess documentation completeness, service delivery, quality, and compliance with program and reimbursement requirements.
• Assist with billing and reimbursement activities by reviewing documentation, identifying eligible services, supporting billing processes, and ensuring services are appropriately documented to support reimbursement.
• Collect and maintain program data and assist with reports related to nutrition services, food access programming, client participation, outcomes, billing, and program performance.
• Perform other duties and special assignments as requested.

Working conditions are physically comfortable, with discretion about walking, standing, etc. There are no major sources of discomfort, i.e., essentially normal office environment with acceptable lighting, temperature, and air conditions.

Educational requirements include a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition or Dietetics; and the successful completion of an internship which meets the approval of the A.D.A. is preferred. Experience requirements are three (3) years of experience as a nutritionist, dietitian, or closely related field are required. A Master's degree in Dietetics or Nutrition may be substituted for two years of the experience requirement.

License requirements include a valid Texas driver's license and compliance with the City of Houston's policy on driving.

Preference shall be given to eligible veteran applicants provided such persons possess the qualifications necessary for competent discharge of the duties involved in the position applied for, such persons are among the most qualified candidates for the position, and all other factors in accordance with Executive Order 1-6. Registered Dietitian (RD/RDN) credential preferred. Directly related professional experience or training in diabetes, nutrition counseling, chronic disease prevention and management, or community nutrition preferred.

Experience providing individual and group nutrition counseling, health education, DSMES, or health coaching preferred. Experience with clinical documentation, chart reviews, billing/reimbursement, or DSMES accreditation preferred. Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish and/or Vietnamese, as well as experience using Microsoft Office and electronic health records, preferred based on program needs.

Selection/Skills tests required:
None. The selection process will involve application review and/or interview. Safety impact position:
Yes. If yes, this position is subject to random drug testing and if a promotional position, candidate must pass an…