Dietetic & Nutrition Spec III

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS•El Paso, TX

20h•Onsite

About The Position

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage. Come work in an environment where we truly value and respect those we serve and believe in the mission that all people can achieve a higher level of wellness and independence. The state supported living centers serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are medically fragile or who have behavioral problems. The centers provide campus-based direct services and supports at 13 centers located throughout the state. Learn About Our State Supported Living Centers If you are looking for a place to work where you can establish a career that is filled with purpose, this is the job for you! The Nutritionist III performs advanced (senior level) nutrition services work. Work involves planning, coordination, and evaluating nutrition programs and services, developing policies and procedures, supervision of nutrition staff, investigating complaints and/or deficiencies and maintaining compliance with regulatory agencies and departmental standards. Other work involves providing training to staff and family members, assessing nutritional status of ambulatory and medically fragile individuals, planning special therapeutic menus, serving as a member of inter-Disciplinary Team, Physical and Nutrition Management Team, and project teams, preparing reports, providing quality assurance monitoring of menu and nutrition service activities, and providing technical assistance to other healthcare team members. Interprets and complies with ICF/IID regulations. Works under minimal supervision of designated supervisor, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Requirements

Skill in providing nutrition care.
Knowledge of food and nutrition, food systems management, food science as documented by graduation from an accredited four-year university or college plus completion of a dietetic internship.
Knowledge of food and nutrition, including normal and therapeutic nutrition.
Knowledge of food service standards and procedures, and food science principles.
Knowledge and skills in addressing nutrition needs related to population, i.e. persons with developmental disabilities, mental health and/or behavioral issues.
Ability to counsel and train others in food and nutrition.
Ability to evaluate and communicate nutrition requirements.
Ability to develop and evaluate nutrition service plans and educational materials.
Knowledge of common drug/nutrient interactions which impact nutritional status.
Ability to interact effectively with consumers, families, and staff.
Ability to work with various teams.
Skill in professional oral and written communication.
Ability to perform basic and complex math calculations.
Functional skills and knowledge of computer word processing, spreadsheets, e-mail and how to electronically store files/documents on a computer.
Skill in Medical Nutrition Therapy including assessment, counseling, planning, and evaluating interventions, such as lab data.
Knowledge and ability in management/administration.
Ability to interpret regulations, policies, and procedures, ability to implement new systems and procedures and evaluate their effectiveness.
Current registration as a Dietitian (R.D or R.D.N.) with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), and current Licensed Dietitian (L.D.) with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).
Minimum of 1 year of experience as a Registered Dietitian or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist/Licensed Dietitian in a health care facility working with persons at nutritional risk

Nice To Haves

2 years of experience as a Registered Dietitian or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist/Licensed Dietitian in a health care facility working with persons at nutritional risk is preferred.

Responsibilities

Attends work on a regular basis and may be required to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned. May serve in an on-call status on a rotating schedule as required to meet operational needs of the facility.
Provides Medical Nutrition Therapy for medically fragile consumers with multiple chronic conditions. Evaluates nutritional status of consumers, and develops, implements, and evaluates nutrition care plans based on consumer needs and expectations, current evidenced based knowledge, and professional experience. Updates and reviews annual nutrition plans for individuals. Calculates/evaluates specialized enteral feedings.
Prepares updates and/or reviews for quarterly, annual and other (IPN) reports for consumers. Enters updates in the progress notes.
Core member of the Inter-Disciplinary Team, Physical and Nutritional Management Team and other clinically related teams in developing care plans for individuals at higher nutritional risk. Works toward team consensus in supporting consumer goals.
Provides nutrition clinical oversight. Liaisons with Hab Therapy for Department of Justice nutrition compliance. Develops, monitors, and revises departmental policies and procedures and maintains approved Facility Diet Manual. Evaluates quality assurance monitoring of department activities and participates in Quality Management activities of other campus departments. Plans, directs and monitors nutrition programs and activities to assure compliance with ICF/IID regulations and professional standards of care.
May be required to direct, supervise, train and monitor clinical nutrition employees in performance of their duties including developing job descriptions, administering performance evaluations, and ensuring assigned staff participate in mandatory training related to competence and development.
May be required to consult and act as liaison with Food Service Management to provide accurate and timely information on menu changes and special diets/menus. Approves menu changes for compliance with nutrient standards. May develop additional variations to standard cycle menus to meet needs of campus population. May conduct quality assurance meal observations. Develops in-service training programs for staff on nutrition principles, therapeutic diets, and related subjects upon request. Maintains discipline registration and/or license as required.
Develops education programs and materials. May counsel and train consumers, staff, and families on nutrition principles, modified diet plans and food selection to support achievement of the best nutrition care of individuals.
Completes required training as required by agency policy.
Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.