Nutrition Technician II

Job Title:  Nutrition Technician II
Job Code:  880143
Immediate Supervisor:  Patient Food Services Manager
Status:   Non-Exempt

DEPARTMENT FUNCTION/JOB OVERVIEW

• Responsible for providing quality nutrition care under the supervision of a medical nutrition therapist.
• Perform nutritional screens.
• Collect data for use by Medical Nutrition Therapist.
• Responsible for maintaining accurate and timely documentation.
• Provide basic nutrition education to patients/residents, families, and staff.
• Visits with patient/residents daily to gather meal and snack selections, especially those with complex diet orders; specifically discussing individual food preferences nutritional content of food/beverage items.
• Provides basic nutrition education related to general health and well-being; referring those who require further education to the Medical Nutrition Therapist.
• Enters nutrition requests received into electronic medical record and meal management software.  Manages time and activities to meet deadlines.
• Maintains an organized, structured work environment.
• Use strengths to provide services in a team environment.
• Works cooperatively with nutrition therapists, and other healthcare clinicians, so that individualized orders are processed expediently and accurately.
• Coordinates all information received so that each patient/resident receives consistent nutrition care.
• Work will be performed in an ethical and legal manner following organizational policies, processes, protocols and procedures.
• Responsible for quality service delivery and internal/external customer relations for Madonna as a whole, including upholding the mission and values for the department and facility.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

(INFORMATION)

• Independently compiles and coordinates patient/resident information for the Medical Nutrition Therapist to complete nutrition assessments and care plans.
• Compile reports on patients/residents and be prepared to summarize orally at interdisciplinary team meetings, project teams, and clinical meetings.
• Under supervision of licensed medical nutrition therapist, present professionally prepared, up to date, basic nutrition education for patients, caregivers, families, staff and the community.
• Monitor patient/resident response to nutrition interventions and report information to medical nutrition therapist.
• Under supervision of licensed medical nutrition therapist, modify nutrition interventions to accommodate individual patient/resident preferences within the plan of care established by licensed medical nutrition therapist.
• Teach nutrition classes, as assigned.
• Evaluate and monitor quality control standards of food and nutrition services.
• Assemble required productivity data and report in a timely manner.
• Visits customers daily to gather meal/snack selections and enters directly into meal management software.
• Processes alternative dining experiences, as indicated.
• Processes payment and meal selections for guest meals upon request.
• Receives orders via electronic medical record such as, but not limited to:  snacks, encourage fluids, dysphagia trial trays, calorie counts, and requests for change in meal delivery time and/or place; making changes in  meal management software so that all meals are served safely with the patient/resident’s rehabilitation and quality of life goals in mind.
• Answers the phone and checks email throughout the day.
• Performs clerical duties, including keeping accurate records and processing reports.
• Enters charges for tube feeding/ modular supplements into electronic medical record.
• Completes test trays as assigned.(PEOPLE)
• Instruct patient/resident and families on services offered by the department and how to access them.
• Participate in interdisciplinary/interdisciplinary meetings, as assigned.
• Instruct interns, students, and volunteers, as assigned.
• Interacts with patients and staff in a professional, customer-focused manner displaying hospitality and collaboration.
• Instruct patients/residents, families, staff and the community in a professional manner, communicating effectively under the direction of a Nutrition Therapist.
• Refer patient/resident nutrition care to Medical Nutrition Therapist as appropriate.
• Attend educational offerings, especially on information pertinent to the assigned area of care.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with coworkers and other facility departments to provide a unified approach to patient/resident care.
• Communicates necessary nutrition care information so all Medical Nutrition Therapists/Nutrition Technicians are informed of changes in a timely manner.
• Follows instruction from manager to perform other functions in order to achieve the goals of the Department and Madonna.
• Assists in corrective action when unsafe practices are being performed and alerts director or manager.(THINGS)
• Must be able to operate copier, telephone, fax machine and have computer skills, including e-mail, word processing, presentation and spreadsheet functions.
• Completes all mandatory education programs on a yearly basis in accordance with departmental guidelines.
• Maintains a clean, organized and safe environment.
• Handles and operates all necessary equipment and performs required duties according to established safety standards to maintain compliance with regulations and prevent injury.
• Alert the Clinical Nutrition Manager of any problems with patient meal management software.
• Recognizes and adapts activities appropriate to the specific needs of the patient/resident population and demonstrates knowledge of specific issues directly related to the age of the population.PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Ability to document chart notes using approved abbreviations. Light work with routinely pushing a cart and laptop weighing up to 55lbs.  Occasional lift and carry up to 25 pounds.  Frequent lift and carry up to 10 pounds.  Frequent walking and standing.  Constant sitting with sustained sitting up to 1 hour.

Frequent grasping of both hands requiring normal grip strength based on national averages.  Requires sufficient sight to see and read reports and computer screen.  Requires sufficient hearing and speaking to communicate by phone or in person.  100% of work is inside.

QUALIFICATIONS (Education/training and/or Experience)

Minimum of Associate’s degree from certified Dietetic Technician program required or a Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and/or Food Service Management from an accredited college or university and credentialed through the Commission Dietetic Registration as a Dietetic Technician, Registered. One year prior experience working in a clinical setting preferred. Experience using electronic medical record and nutrition software preferred.

Background checks are conducted.  When specific authorization forms are requested so that full background and history can be obtained, employees/applicants must sign the form(s) requested.