Dietetic Technician

Clinical Nutrition Support

Under the general supervision of the Bradley Hospital Senior Dietitian or Supervisor, Clinical Nutrition, supports the Registered Dietitians by collecting information, reporting observations, and communicating with the patient/client, family, or caregiver. Obtains food allergies and preferences, adjusts meal selections for food preferences and diets, monitors menu selections and makes adjustments for compliance with prescribed diets. Conducts meal rounds to monitor food consumption and patient satisfaction and provides education and guidance on food choices and meal planning.

Reports observations to the Clinical Dietitian to assist in documenting response to the nutrition care plan and to assist in adjusting the nutrition care plan to meet patient/client goals and achieve desired outcomes. Assists with basic patient nutrition education activities, nutrition education classes, unit projects, hospital bulletin boards, and informal meal coaching. Implements and monitors nutrition interventions as assigned by the Senior Dietitian or Registered Dietitians.

Maintains and updates data in the computerized menu management system.

Brown University Health employees are expected to successfully role model the organization's values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence as these values guide our everyday actions with patients, customers and one another.

Responsibilities:

• Carries out functions in a compassionate and sensitive manner with consideration for the needs of pediatric patients admitted for psychiatric diagnoses and/or autism and developmental disabilities.
• Works independently while maintaining a high level of communication with Clinical Dietitian(s), nursing, interdisciplinary team members and the food service operations team.
• Updates the allergen / specialty diet list and cook's list on a daily basis to correspond with current diet orders and nutrition plans. Communicates changes to the kitchen as needed.
• Indicates allergy trays with a red sticker dot.
• Reviews allergy and any specialty trays (as directed by the Registered Dietitians) prior to unit delivery. Ensures patients receive accurate and correct meals as indicated. Meets with unit staff as needed to communicate important information regarding special diets.
• Reports product changes / substitutions promptly to CBORD Specialist.
• Develops and updates menus / meal plans for special diets and corrects menus for nutritional balance.
• Prints menus, tray tickets, reports, calorie count worksheets and updates menu selections throughout the shift.
• Monitors patient intakes for nutritional adequacy as appropriate; relays information to Registered Dietitians.
• Completes calorie counts and documents findings in electronic health record.
• Conducts daily meal rounds per a defined meal round schedule on patient units. Gathers quality assurance data and enters into meal rounding database.
• Conducts individual and group patient nutrition education and diet classes. Assists with meal observation, informal meal coaching and troubleshooting meal service issues on patient units. Develops nutrition education topic for bulletin board(s) on bimonthly basis under supervision of the Senior Dietitian.
• Assists with patient menu revisions and nutritional analysis.
• Visits patients, family members and, as appropriate, patient care partners to obtain diet related information, answer questions about diet related information, answer basic questions about diet prescriptions, and refer to the Registered Dietitian as indicated.
• Assists with nutrition related in-services to departmental and hospital staff. Is highly visible on patient units at mealtimes to assess food acceptance, identify nutrition problems, and assist with problem solving.
• Guides and supports dietetic intern education, and other staff as assigned.
• Completes other duties as assigned by Registered Dietitians and / or Food service Management Team.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Completion of: A baccalaureate degree granted by a US regionally accredited college/ university, or a foreign equivalent, and completion of an ACEND Didactic Program in Dietetics.
• Or All ACEND required nutrition classes in a 4-year ACEND Didactic Program with advanced culinary internship pending and an anticipated completion of a baccalaureate degree within 6 months.
• Thorough understanding of the application of principles of nutrition to human physiology and disease states. A thorough knowledge of the nutritional values of food and food groups.
• Analytical ability to identify overt and potential nutritional problems and refer to the Clinical Dietitian staff as indicated.
• Oral and written communication skills necessary to communicate effectively with patients, families and hospital personnel in communicating dietetic care plans, etc.
• Leadership skills to effectively coordinate and evaluate activities of dietetic technician work group.
• Demonstrate knowledge, skills and compassion necessary to provide care to pediatric patients with the consideration of…