Category(s): Allied Health Clinical Professional, Nutrition
Full Time / Part Time: Full-Time
Shift: First
Summary:
Under the general supervision of the department leadership and Registered Dietitian (RD) partner, the Diet Technician provides food and nutrition services to patients. Primary responsibilities include conducting nutrition screening and routine nutrition assessments, developing and implementing nutrition care plans for assigned patients, providing individualized or group nutrition education, monitoring the quality and accuracy of food served to patients, and maintaining professional competency and skills required for professional practice.
Job Responsibilities:
1) Demonstrates organizational skills that maintain safe delivery of the standard of care for assigned patients/families. Manages own assignment by delegating effectively based on patient needs and abilities of team members when indicated.
2) Conducts accurate age-appropriate nutrition screen and assessment; leverages patient/family strengths to enhance patient-centered care; develops, implements, and evaluates the patient's individualized care plan.
Adheres to Nutrition Care Process:
- Applies critical thinking skills and integrates current clinical evidence and/or cultural/religious needs to identify nutrition problems accurately.
- Develops interdisciplinary patient/family-centered care plan and determines monitoring/evaluation methods.
Seeks assistance from RD partner or delegate to RD partner where appropriate.
3) Develop and provide effective therapeutic diet education to patients/families utilizing appropriate resources and teaching methods.
4) Demonstrates caring practice that creates a compassionate, supportive, and therapeutic environment for patients and staff. Respects patient/family dignity and privacy in all patient/family interactions. Establishes and maintains mutual trust within the dietitian-patient/family relationship and engages patient/family participation in care.
5) Documents nutrition screening/assessments, interventions, and monitoring/evaluation according to policy.
6) Adheres to practice guidelines: a) utilizes standards of care, policies, and procedures to support clinical decision-making; b) seeks guidance from appropriate resources; c) demonstrates knowledge of performance improvement initiatives.
7) Addresses patient experience concerns promptly and objectively. Escalates to leadership as needed.
8) Recognizes ethical dilemmas within one's practice area and utilizes available resources to intervene appropriately. Seeks guidance from the RD partner where appropriate.
9) Participates in a departmental committee.
10) Serves as a resource and provides nutrition education to the interdisciplinary team members and the community.
11) Respect diverse views and approaches and maintain an environment of professionalism, tolerance, civility, and acceptance toward all employees, patients, and visitors.
12) Demonstrates practical communication skills: written and verbal.
13) Completes annual competencies and mandatory education requirements.
14) Demonstrates progress in meeting professional goals.
15) Adheres to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics professional code of ethics.
Minimally Required Education:
Associate's Degree- Food & Nutrition, Dietetics, Human Nutrition or related field
Preferred Education
Bachelor's Degree –Food & Nutrition, Dietetics, Human Nutrition or related field
Required Work Experience:
1 year or more previous experience in clinical nutrition
Preferred Work Experience:
Skills and Competencies:
Baystate Health required competencies per department.
You Belong At Baystate
At Baystate Health we know that treating one another with dignity and equity is what elevates respect for our patients and staff. It makes us not just an organization, but also a community where you belong. It is how we advance the care and enhance the lives of all people.
DIVERSE TEAMS. DIVERSE PATIENTS. DIVERSE LOCATIONS.
Education:
Associate of Arts (Required), Bachelor of Arts
Certifications:
Registered Dietician – Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Equal Employment Opportunity Employer
Baystate Health is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, ancestry, age, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.