Dietetic Technician I

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Vernon, TX

5d • Onsite

About The Position

Would you thrive in an environment where you learn and grow personally and professionally all while helping make a positive impact on people’s lives? Do you appreciate being around others like yourself who are dependable, trustworthy, hard workers who believe in the value of teamwork? HSCS is dedicated to building an atmosphere where employees feel valued and supported while providing specialized care for Texans in need. HSCS is comprised of nine psychiatric hospitals, one youth residential treatment facility, and thirteen state supported living centers. The psychiatric hospitals are a hub of excellence for forensic mental health and complex psychiatric care, with all facilities accredited by The Joint Commission. They provide state-of-the-art treatment that is recovery-oriented and science-based. If providing hope and healing through compassionate, innovative, and individualized care interests you, we welcome your application for the position below.

The Dietetic Technician I performs entry-level dietetic work assisting with data collection for nutritional risk screening and dietary histories, including interviewing patients. Assists with providing individualized patient education. The Dietetic Technician documents and reports observations of monitoring activities related to patient care, such as meal observations, to aid in improving nutritional care. Works under close supervision, with minimal latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Performs other duties as assigned. 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.

Requirements

• Knowledge of nutrition and food service operations in a healthcare setting
• Skills in monitoring and documenting dietary information.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to follow policies and procedures.
• At least 6 months experience in food service work.
• Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks including the Client Abuse/Neglect Reporting System (CANRS), Nurse Aid, Medication Aide and Employee Misconduct, List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE). Males between the ages of 18-25 must be registered with the Selective Service.
• All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility.
• Compliance with HHSC immunization policy and state hospital operating procedures related to immunizations is required.

Nice To Haves

• Food Handler certification preferred or obtain certification within 6 months of hire

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.
• Assists in collecting specified information to support nutrition screening of newly admitted patients under the direction of the dietitian. Interviews patients and assists with collecting relevant data for dietary histories utilized in nutrition assessments completed by the dietitian. Monitors patients as assigned and communicates relevant information to dietitian to support nutritional care.
• Conducts meal observations of patients and documents information that will improve the nutritional care of patients.
• Maintains records and files related to nutritional care of patients by setting up diet cards after processing received diet orders; maintaining diet rosters; revising diet cards as needed; setting up snack labels for individualized patient snacks; maintaining census information for bulk snacks; and entering information into patient medical records as directed by the dietitian.
• Assists with providing nutrition education to patients and families, and documents in the medical record as per standard operating procedures. Conducts food service training as necessary.
• Assists in planning menus based on review of established guidelines by obtaining diet restrictions/preferences and other information from the patient, family, or diet history; communicating obtained information to the clinical dietitian for approval; communicating obtained information to Food Service so the adjustments can be made in the menu to meet the patient’s nutritional needs.
• Performs other duties as assigned. 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.

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed