Diet Technician; FTE; Food Services

Diet Technician (0.6 FTE) - Food Services

Hennepin Healthcare is an integrated system of care that includes HCMC, a nationally recognized Level I Adult Trauma Center and Level I Pediatric Trauma Center and acute care hospital, as well as a clinic system with primary care clinics located in Minneapolis and across Hennepin County. The comprehensive healthcare system includes a 473-bed academic medical center, a large outpatient Clinic & Specialty Center, and a network of clinics in the North Loop, Whittier, and East Lake Street neighborhoods of Minneapolis, and in the suburban communities of Brooklyn Park, Golden Valley, Richfield, and St.

Anthony Village. Hennepin Healthcare has a large psychiatric program, home care, and operates a research institute, philanthropic foundation, and Hennepin EMS. The system is operated by Hennepin Healthcare System, Inc., a subsidiary corporation of Hennepin County. Equal Employment Opportunities:
We believe equity is essential for optimal health outcomes and are committed to achieve optimal health for all by actively eliminating barriers due to racism, poverty, gender identity, and other determinants of health. We are committed to equitable care and working in an environment that celebrates, promotes, and protects diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We are committed to bringing in individuals with new cultural perspectives to assist in creating a more equitable healthcare organization.

Purpose of this position:
Under general supervision, assumes responsibility for the nutritional wellbeing of patients receiving sustenance provided by the Food and Nutrition Services Department or to coordinate daily operation of tray line service.

Responsibilities:

• Monitors and maintains patient orders, admissions, discharges, and transfers using the electronic medical record in combination with the diet office software system
• May complete nutrition screening; determines the level of nutritional risk for patients, able to determine the needs of the age groups served and plan care based on the needs identified, and notifies the dietitian of patients deemed at nutritional risk who require attention
• May complete calorie count calculations and communicate results as appropriate
• Menu correction based on special diet needs
• Direct tray service; checks each tray for accuracy and adherence to diet order
• May prepare and deliver enteral formulas as appropriate
• Answers call center phone calls and problem solving
• May provide nutrition education as required; documents in the electronic medical record, demonstrates knowledge of the age appropriate range of services, treatment, or therapies
• Can make a determination of standard and substandard products
• Assures proper food handling and presentation
• Visits all ages of patients daily in assigned area for menu selection and to conduct patient satisfaction surveys
• Enters accurate diet orders, admissions, discharges, and transfer of patients into diet office software system and communicates change to tray serving area. Uses computer terminal to communicate with nursing units
• Conducts test trays for quality and accuracy of trays as served to patients
• Prepares menus for serving area in accordance with current diet orders
• Attends all required Safety Training programs and can describe his/her responsibilities related to general safety, department/service safety, specific job-related hazards
• Follows the Hospital Exposure Control Plans/Blood borne and Airborne Pathogens
• Demonstrates respect and regard for the dignity of all patients, families, visitors, and fellow employees to ensure a professional, responsible, and courteous environment
• Promotes effective working relations and works effectively as part of a department/unit team inter and intra departmentally to facilitate the department's/unit's ability to meet its goals and objectives

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Student in a current dietetic program
  -OR
  - An approved equivalent combination of education and experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Completed dietetic/nutrition program
• Over three months to one year experience in hospital food service preferred