Nutrition Assistant - Dietary - Per Diem 8 Hour Rotating (Non-Exempt) (Union)

University of Southern California•Los Angeles, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Nutrition Assistant provides nutritional care to patients by assisting with menu selection through a laptop meal-ordering program, delivering meals and helping patients set up meals, processing phone orders, and identifying patients who have not ordered meals using a tray-tracking system. The role may include making meal rounds and collecting survey information. The Nutrition Assistant updates food preference and nourishment information and relays pertinent information to a Supervisor/Manager or Clinical Dietitian. Responsibilities may vary based on departmental and account needs, and other duties may be assigned. The position introduces room-service options and explains diet orders to new admissions, visits patients to obtain meal orders, communicates with patients by phone when needed, and coordinates with Nursing, Clinical Dietitians, and Food & Nutrition Services. It also includes documenting and addressing patient concerns, supporting meal rounds and process-improvement projects, filling in as needed in the diet office or kitchen, and completing required safety and food-related training.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent; if not held, one year of experience may substitute for the education requirement.
One year of experience is listed as required; the posting also states that this experience is required as a substitute if the candidate lacks a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
Demonstrate excellent customer-service behavior.
Ability to communicate effectively in English, verbally and in writing.
Basic computer or laptop experience and ability to use a computer.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual ability.
Fire Life Safety Training (LA City); if not held upon hire, it must be obtained within 30 days of hire and maintained through renewal before expiration. Required within LA City only.

Responsibilities

Introduce Expressly for You Room Service and explain diet orders to new admissions.
Visit 80% of assigned patients to obtain meal orders and call patients when unable to visit, with calls limited to no more than 20% of assigned patients.
Use the Health Touch program to enter meal and snack orders.
Identify, document, and deliver required tube feeding and unit pantry nourishments.
Act as a liaison between Nursing, Clinical Dietitians, and Food & Nutrition Services.
Print a Census Report before each meal and review it for accuracy or changes.
Visit all patients daily, introduce oneself as the unit’s Nutrition Assistant, provide a contact number, and explain meal times.
Explain the availability of large-print and Spanish menus when needed.
Document, resolve, or refer patient and family complaints or concerns.
Conduct meal rounds as assigned and note when and why a patient needs a revisit.
Work with managers and supervisors on process-improvement projects and patient promotions as needed.
Fill in as needed in the diet office and kitchen.
Attend allergy and foodborne illness in-service training.
Comply with company policies, procedures, safety requirements, and risk-management policies.
Participate in safety meetings, training, and hazard assessments, and report accidents and injuries promptly.
Attend designated classroom and virtual training programs.
Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.