Diet Technician

Texas Children's Hospital • Houston, TX

3d

About The Position

The Diet Technician supports clinical nutrition staff in a fast-paced setting and provides services appropriate to the ages of patients served. The role screens patients for nutrition risk, analyzes nutrient intake, documents findings, coordinates referrals and patient needs, provides education and menu support, and contributes to departmental quality control activities. Care must accommodate patients from neonates through adults.

Requirements

• Technical diploma from a dietetic educational program or a bachelor's degree in a nutrition-related field.

Nice To Haves

• Dietetic Technician Registered (DTR) credential issued by the Commission for Dietetic Registration.

Responsibilities

• Screen and rescreen patients for nutrition risk using established criteria; document results in medical records, refer patients to Clinical Dietitians according to guidelines, and perform follow-up as required.
• Perform nutrient intake analyses and initiate calorie-count studies when requested by a Registered Dietitian or ordered by a physician; calculate and document nutrient intake data according to standards.
• Communicate with clinical, medical, and diet office staff about patients’ nutritional needs, food concerns, eating difficulties, and other nutrition problems; provide pertinent information to dietitians in a timely manner.
• Assist dietitians with DME activities and participate in departmental meetings and committees.
• Coordinate special patient requests and needs with the Diet Office to support accurate implementation of diet orders.
• Make appropriate patient referrals to dietitians, including consultations, NPO referrals, and Food/Drug screening.
• Provide age-appropriate patient education and menu adjustments in support of the patient care plan, including assigned education on formula preparation, Food/Drug interactions, Healthy Eating Guidelines, and single-restriction diets.
• Assist patients with menu selections for specialized menu types.
• Collect and enter data for the Departmental Quality Control Plan as assigned, including formula room or sample audits, NPO/CL monitoring, and Food/Drug Interaction education compliance monitoring.
• Adjust care to accommodate neonates, infants, toddlers, preschool-age children, school-age children, adolescents, and adults.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time