Nutrition Assistant

San Juan Regional Medical Center•Farmington, NM

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Nutrition Assistant provides meal service to patients with compassion and care, honoring food and cultural choices; promoting health and healing through nutrition. As a team member, you help fulfill our mission to make life better here for our community.

Requirements

Must have food handler permit issued by accredited provider by 1st day worked
Must be over eighteen (18) years old
Ability to work individually and in a team
Self-directed and motivated
Ability to prioritize
Excellent customer service skills (i.e., interpersonal communication skills, phone etiquette, etc.)
Must have critical thinking skills

Nice To Haves

General computer skills
Basic knowledge of prescription diets
Basic knowledge of disease states and parameters (i.e., renal diseases, cardiac diseases, diabetes, etc.)
Basic knowledge of other diets (i.e., gluten free, etc.)

Responsibilities

Delivers appropriate menu to new patients and those with a diet change.
Explains the ordering process to patient/family.
Assists patients who are unable to call with a menu selection of each meal.
Enters meals in GEMserve computer software following nutrient limits for special diets.
Answers phones promptly and courteously.
Guides patients through menu selection adhering to nutrient limits for special diets.
Assists with patient meal tray assembly at any station as needed.
Checks patient meal trays for accuracy, completeness, and quality.
Delivers patient meal trays and snacks at the time requested by patient or the designated meal wave.
Verifies patient’s name and date of birth with tray ticket each time patient is served.
When appropriate moves tray table to patient and sets up tray.
Alerts nursing staff if patient needs assistance with meals.
Adheres to posted signage including NPO and Aspiration Precautions; checks with nursing if discrepancy noted.
Retrieves patient meal trays within one hour of delivery and returns soiled meal trays to the dish room.
Records patient meal intakes in electronic medical record for each meal.
Records calorie counts when ordered.
Keep the work area clean (i.e., cleans food objects on floor, wipes up spills promptly, etc.).
Pick up objects on floor immediately.
Follows safe food handling procedures 100% of the time.
Maintains a clean and sanitary environment throughout shift.
Cleans and sanitizes equipment each shift as indicated by cleaning logs.
Uses equipment safely and properly.
Reports any equipment issues to the supervisor.
Follows safe food handling guidelines.
Applies food certification training to task completion throughout shift.
Attend department in-services and meetings.
Participate in QA/PI programs when assigned.
Complete all annual HealthStream modules successfully and on time.
Work Nutrition Assistant position when scheduled (see purpose description for Nutrition Assistant).
Help with various duties on the tray line (i.e., create trays, drinks, condiments, supplements, etc.).
Place the trays on heated and cooled carts.
Demonstrates willingness and follows through with other duties requested.
Works with the Clinical Nutrition Department for the exceptional care of patients.
Notifies Dietitian verbally or in writing of patient with poor intake or eating difficulties.
Takes count of nourishment items daily per par list and delivers stock to units assigned.
Cleans refrigerator.
Labels, dates, and rotates product.
Discards outdated items and food of unknown origin.
Records temperatures of assigned refrigerators 100% of the time; alerts supervisor immediately if a problem is noted.
Completes all logs and documentation in a timely manner, such as tray line cleaning.
Maintains the snack jars and retrieves breakfast items in the Physician Lounge
Demonstrates cooperation and willingness to always help coworkers.
Each employee is responsible for implementing SJRMC’s Service Standards into their daily work: Safety, Courtesy, Effectiveness, and Stewardship
Other duties as assigned and demonstrate willingness and follows through with other assigned duties.