JOB SUMMARY:
- Under the direction of the clinical dietitian, the dietitian assistant screens patients for nutrition risk, updates nutrition profile cards and corrects patient menus.
EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS:
- Read, write and speak English well.
- Good effective verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to work well with the nursing staff and employees.
- Able to communicate with patients of all ages and their families.
- Knowledge of diet therapy, nutrition screening and modified diets.
- Knowledge of computer entry.
- Ability to calculate formula nutrients.
- At least one (1) year experience working as a food service worker or related experience.
EDUCATION:
- High School Graduate or equivalent
- Enrollment in Nutrition classes preferred
LICENSURES/CERTIFICATION:
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES ( These are the essential job functions for this position. The essential functions of this job include, but may not be limited to those listed in this job description. Employees hired for this position must be able to perform the essential function of this job without imposing significant risk of substantial harm to the health or safety of themselves or others) :
- Responsible for screening all patients for nutrition risk and recording in the Kardex.
- Responsible for updating the clinical nutrition rand to reflect the physician’s diet order, patient allergies, food preferences and risk level.
- Responsible for modifying all patient menus to reflect the diet order.
- Works under the direction of the registered dietitian.
- Performs calorie counts. Visits patients for food preferences.
- Performs documentation responsibilities in an accurate, legible and timely manner. Able to use hospital computer programs
- Participates in continuing education to meet own professional development goals. Remains aware of recent research and literature findings.
- Participate in the development and maintenance of department policies and procedures.
- Participate in the department performance improvement activities to continually improve patient care and outcomes.
The following job accountabilities are not unique to this particular job but are common to all jobs at VPH:
Complies with VPH policies and procedures on customer satisfaction and service excellence. Demonstrates professionalism and cultural sensitivity in coordinating activities and communicating with all customers, peers, and the community at large. Conducts self in a professional, respectful and courteous manner during all interactions. Works effectively and collaboratively with others toward common goals.
Communicates accurately, honestly, supportively, and in a timely manner with department and interdepartmental team members. Demonstrates effective business writing and oral communication skills, handwriting is clear and legible.
Participates in operational aspects of the department, and maintains/participates in performance improvement activities within the department.
Participates in all departmental specific training, Environment of Care (injury/illness prevention, fire/life safety, hazardous materials, emergency preparedness, utilities management, medical equipment management, safety and security management), infection control (standard precautions, TB Exposure Control Plan, Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan).
Demonstrates knowledge of and follows safety practices. Understands the importance of safety, including patient safety in the work place. Maintains a safe environment for self and others.
Actively participates in the Patient Safety Program, including event reporting. Identifies sentinel events/near misses and responds per defined organization processes. Participates in education activities and process implementation. Demonstrates advocacy for the patient/customer and appropriately acknowledges patients, customers and visitors.
The above statements reflect the essential functions considered necessary to describe the principle content of the job. They are not intended to be a complete statement of all work requirements or duties that may be inherent in the job.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Primarily an inside building/office environment, well lighted and ventilated, which may consist of multiple treatment and/or work sites.
Fast and continuous work pace with variable workload.
Frequent contact with staff and public under a variety of circumstances. Requires ability to communicate clearly (in English) verbally and in writing for effective communication with other staff members, physicians, vendors, community members, patients and patient families, employees and applicants of all socio-economic levels from a diverse cultural and ethnic population.
Subject to many interruptions from multiple calls and inquiries and potentially emotional situations involving accidents, injuries, illness and/or death.
Handles emergency/crisis situations in accordance with Hospital policy.
Answers phones or pages.
Occasional travel may be required.
Potential risk of exposure to hazards from chemicals (toxic and non-toxic), flammable materials, gas or electrical or radiant energy or equipment with/without moving parts.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Key
Continuous 66 to 100% of time
Frequent 33 to 65% of time
Occasional 0 to 32% of time
Patient Care
Continuous standing/walking and occasional/intermittent sitting.
Continuous use of bilateral upper extremities in fine motor activities requiring fingering, grasping, and forward reaching between waist and shoulder level to handle/operate medical equipment/devices.
Frequent reaching above shoulder level and overhead.
Frequent forward bending, twisting, squatting and kneeling; occasional climbing.
Occasional repositioning and transferring patients weighing up to 200 pounds between bed, chair, and gurney.
Occasional lifting and carrying equipment weighing up to 25 pounds.
Occasional/intermittent pushing of gurneys, wheelchairs, bed and other medical equipment over tiled and carpeted surfaces.
Continuous use of near vision to read medical equipment such as monitoring devices and reading documents and computer screens; hearing and verbal communication to interact with patients, co-workers, and other customers.
Clerical/Administrative Patient Care
Frequent sitting and standing/walking with frequent position change.
Continuous use of bilateral upper extremities in fine motor activities requiring fingering, grasping, and forward reaching between waist and chest level.
Occasional/intermittent reaching at or above shoulder level.
Occasional/intermittent bending, squatting, kneeling, pushing/pulling, twisting, and climbing.
Occasional/intermittent lifting and carrying objects/equipment weighing up to 25 pounds.
Continuous use of near vision, hearing and verbal communication skills in handling telephone calls, interacting with customers and co-workers and performing job duties.
Clerical/Administrative Non-Patient Care
Frequent/continuous sitting with occasional, intermittent standing/walking.
Continuous use of bilateral upper extremities in fine motor activities requiring fingering, grasping, and forward reaching between waist and chest level.
Occasional/intermittent reaching at or above shoulder level.
Occasional/intermittent bending, squatting, kneeling, pushing/pulling, twisting and climbing.
Occasional/intermittent lifting and carrying objects/equipment weighing up to 25 pounds.
Continuous use of near vision, hearing and verbal communication skills in handling telephone calls, interacting with customers and co-workers and performing job duties.
Salary Range: $17.42 - $23.41 per hour
