Dietetic Technician Jobs

About The Position

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Nutrition, Dietetics, or a closely related field.
• One year of specialized work experience equivalent to a Dietetic Technician in a hospital-based or closely related environment.
• Knowledge of Native American tribal and cultural subgroup eating and dietary habits, and ability to counsel using culturally acceptable foods.
• Knowledge of disease processes and nutrition care for hospitalized patients.
• Knowledge of food and nutrition principles, concepts, and methodology for applying sound nutrition practices to patient diets.
• Knowledge of hospital foodservice operations and ability to monitor food quality and meal acceptance.
• Familiarity with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Nutrition Care Manual for therapeutic diets.
• Knowledge of medical and clinical nutrition terminology and cultural factors that may affect nutrition care plans.
• Ability to review medical records for nutritional data and status.
• Ability to calculate nutrient intake using the department's nutrition analysis software.
• Ability to interview patients or family members, take preliminary diet histories, assess nutritional status, and create appropriate care plans for patients at moderate risk or below.
• Ability to provide basic nutrition education about therapeutic and modified diets and document patient plans of care in medical records.
• Ability to translate diet orders into appropriate therapeutic meals.
• Ability to work with an interdisciplinary team and communicate and collaborate with physicians, nurses, and dietitians.
• Ability to follow department food safety and sanitation standards and successfully pass the ServSafe class and exam.
• Ability to apply national guidelines for nutritional needs across the life spectrum.
• Ability to provide group nutrition education and participate in community events as assigned.
• Ability to use basic computer skills to complete electronic food and supply ordering.
• Upon recommendation for hire, pass a criminal background check and National FBI fingerprint check, including a 39-month driving record review.
• May be required to possess and maintain a valid driver's license with no DUIs or major traffic citations within the last three years; if required to operate program vehicles, meet the employer's insurance requirements for a driver's permit.
• May be required, based on department needs, to demonstrate fluency in both Tohono O'odham and English.

Responsibilities

• Screen hospitalized patients for nutrition risk, identify patients at high risk, and refer them to a dietitian as appropriate.
• Interview patients to obtain food preferences, diet history, and other relevant information; document findings on nutrition care plans and in medical records according to policy.
• Collect and review clinical and nutrition-related information from patients and their medical records to assess preliminary risk and determine nutrition priorities.
• Assist with clinical nutrition care and create care plans for patients at moderate risk or below.
• Counsel patients on uncomplicated disease conditions and adapt diets to patients' cultural and personal preferences.
• Monitor the nutritional status of patients who are NPO according to policy and provide nutrition education to low- and moderate-risk patients.
• Ensure regular and therapeutic diets are correctly entered based on diet orders, patient preferences, and interview information.
• Interpret diet orders using approved references and modify tray card menus to comply with orders while considering preferences and cultural traditions.
• Coordinate patient foodservice needs with staff to ensure patients receive the correct diet and that food preferences and dislikes are considered.
• Provide technical expertise and nutrition education to foodservice staff, including guidance on complicated diet orders.
• Develop nutrition education topics for the hospital display board and develop or update nutrition education materials using accurate, science-based information.
• Participate in interdisciplinary team rounds on a daily basis.
• Oversee trayline accuracy through regularly scheduled weekly meal observations, document concerns, and submit observations to the Supervisory Dietitian.
• Participate in community outreach events with a nutrition component, such as health fairs and family wellness events.
• Provide nutrition-related in-services for department staff as assigned.
• Contribute data and information to quarterly department reports concerning inpatient screenings, education, documentation, and quality improvement projects.
• Assist with checking patient trayline, collecting and counting sales, and compiling daily cash sales logs.
• When the Cook Supervisor is unavailable, compile cash sales and order food and supplies; assist the Cook Supervisor with vendor orders as needed.
• Enter cafeteria transactions accurately into the cash register, provide correct change, balance daily cash sales, and submit required records and cash materials to the Tribal Treasury Office accountant.
• Perform general office duties and other job-related duties as assigned, and contribute to a team effort.
• Attend department and general staff meetings and other meetings as appropriate.