Director of Dietary Quality

Job Overview

Rocky Mountain Care is seeking a Director of Dietary Quality responsible for overseeing and improving the quality, compliance, and operational performance of dietary and nutrition services across multiple skilled nursing and assisted living facilities. This role ensures that all facilities meet federal, state, and local regulatory requirements while delivering high‑quality, resident‑centered nutrition care.

• Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) or equivalent.
• Associate’s or higher degree in food service management or hospitality, with coursework in food service or restaurant management, from an accredited institution.
• More than 5 years of experience as a director of food and nutrition services or dietary manager in a nursing facility, and completion of a food safety and management course (by October1,2023) covering foodborne illness, sanitation procedures, and food purchasing/receiving.
• Strong knowledge of CMS regulations for Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF) and Assisted Living Facilities (ALF) and survey processes.

• In‑depth understanding of clinical nutrition and food service operations.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and team‑building skills.
• Excellent organizational, auditing, and problem‑solving abilities.
• Effective communication and people skills.
• Ability to travel frequently within the assigned region.

• Frequent travel (50–75%) to facilities within the multi‑state region.
• Ability to work in kitchen and healthcare environments.
• May require occasional off‑hours or weekend work for surveys or urgent issues.

• Survey outcomes and deficiency reduction.
• Resident satisfaction scores.
• Clinical nutrition outcomes (e.g., weight stability, malnutrition rates).
• Food safety audit scores.
• Staff retention and training completion rates.

• Assist the administrator and dietary manager in preparing a budget, purchasing food, supplies, and services, and managing storage.
• Inspect facility kitchens for cleanliness, safety, and sanitation.
• Ensure timely meal preparation and provision of meals and/or supplements in accordance with residents’ needs, preferences, and care plans.
• Monitors regular and therapeutic diets, including texture of foods and liquids to meet specialized resident needs.
• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings and QAPI activities when food and nutrition services are involved.

• Ensure all facilities comply with federal, state, and local regulations (e.g., CMS, state health departments).
• Conduct routine dietary audits, mock surveys, and sanitation inspections.
• Develop and implement corrective action plans for identified deficiencies.
• Stay current on regulatory updates and communicate changes to facility teams.

• Support Registered Dietitians and dietary teams in delivering appropriate medical nutrition therapy.
• Review nutrition documentation, care plans, and risk assessments for accuracy and compliance.
• Ensure adherence to therapeutic diets, texture modifications, and physician orders.
• Monitor outcomes related to weight loss, malnutrition, hydration, and resident health indicators.

• Oversee menu planning to ensure nutritional adequacy, variety, and resident satisfaction.
• Ensure proper food safety practices (HACCP), storage, preparation, and service standards.
• Evaluate food quality, presentation, and dining experience across facilities.
• Assist with vendor management, purchasing, and cost control initiatives.

• Train and mentor Dietary Managers, Dietitians, and food service staff.
• Provide onboarding support and ongoing education for dietary teams.
• Promote a culture of accountability, quality improvement, and resident‑centered care.
• Assist with recruitment, retention, and performance evaluations.

• Oversee menu planning to ensure nutritional adequacy, variety, and resident satisfaction.
• Analyze key performance indicators such as weight trends, survey outcomes, and resident satisfaction scores.
• Lead quality improvement initiatives to…