Dietetic Technician

JOB SUMMARY
Provides nutrition care services for patients/clients to address prevention and treatment of acute and chronic
diseases and conditions and the promotion of overall health and wellness in conjunction with the registered
dietitian nutritionist and other providers of direct patient care. Participates in enteral feeding preparation by
adhering to aseptic technique when producing specialty formula and human milk mixtures for patient
consumption. Adheres to standards of food safety and sanitation, best practices for formula and human milk
preparation in a hospital setting, regulatory standards, departmental and hospital policies and procedures in the
execution of assigned duties.
JOB FUNCTIONS
Essential Functions
• Patient Care
• Completes nutrition assessments of patients within scope of practice of Dietetic Technician-Registered
based on screening and documentation guidelines.
• Implements and monitors nutritional interventions assigned by the RDN to meet the nutritional needs
of patients
• Estimates nutritional intakes of patients. Calculates and documents calorie counts as requested.
Assists RDs with data collection as needed.
• Identifies patients in need of in-depth assessment by RD and transfers care appropriately.
• Instructs patients (and/or families, as appropriate) on restricted/special diets or special formulas.
Refers for outpatient follow-up as necessary.
• Is knowledgeable regarding nutritional content, sources, and use of commercial supplements, tube
feeding, infant formula, and feeding modulars (fat, protein, carbohydrate, vitamins, and minerals).
• Inputs data from outpatient diet records on computer for analysis to be completed by outpatient
dietitian. Maintain updates and enter new items in Food Processor.
• Provides education with regard to nutrition and lactation including but not limited to assembly,
cleaning and maintenance of breast pump equipment, special diet education, formula/modified human
milk education.
• Enteral Feeding Production and Human Milk Management
• Prepares, portions, delivers patient enteral feeding orders accurately and timely.
• Knowledgeable about human milk, formulas and additives used in infant, pediatric and adult patients.
• Practices with a questioning attitude and escalates concerns, issues or discrepancies regarding enteral
feeding orders, faulty equipment and unsafe working conditions appropriately.
• Provides education with regard to nutrition and lactation, assists in developing education and other
projects.
• Participates in maintenance of human milk inventory. Assists with human milk shipment and safe
disposal as needed and adheres to standards with regard to transport and shipment of human milk.

• Adheres to applicable regulations, safety and infection prevention control standards that govern
enteral feeding production operations.
• Business Functions
• Maintains friendly, efficient demeanor and models CHOP ICARE Values and Service Standards.
• Participates in ongoing quality assurance and performance improvement activities as requested.
• Maintains productivity, screening and other documentation of activities as requested.
• Participates in training other employees as requested.
• Maintains confidentiality of patient information.
• Professional Development/Leadership
• Collaborates and communicates with other members of the healthcare team
• Participates in any department staff meetings and education programs as requested.
• Maintains competence and professional development. Maintains registration as required. Uses
reference materials, trends in dietetics, enteral feeding best practice guidelines and research to enhance
clinical knowledge.
• Performs other duties as requested.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Education Level Field of Study Required/
Preferred

Associates Degree Nutrition or related program by the Accreditation Council for Education in
Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Required

Bachelors Degree by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Preferred

Work Experience
Experience Experience Details Required/
Preferred
Prior work experience in a hospital setting or WIC program Preferred

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Licenses/Certifications Issuing Agency Time to Obtain Required/
Preferred

Dietetic Technician-Registered (DTR) Commission on Dietetic

Registration

within 9
months

Required and
Certified Lactation Consultant (CLC) ALPP Preferred
Serv Safe Certification (SSC) ServSafe Preferred
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Skills Required/
Preferred

Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing to patients and families, public, medical
staff and physicians.

Required
Must be able to read English with understanding and write English legibly. Required
Basic knowledge and application of medical nutrition therapy in pediatric patients. Required
Basic knowledge of nutrient analysis, word processing, and spreadsheet software. Required
Competence in nutritional content, sources and use of commercial supplements, tube feedings,
human milk, infant formulas and feeding modulars (fat, protein, carbohydrate, vitamins and
minerals).

Required

Ability to perform increasingly complex mathematical calculations such as fractions, percentages,
ratios, proportions and metric measures.

Required
Computer proficiency required. Required