POSITION SUMMARY: Manages and supervises the clinical dietetics area ensuring strict adherence to all DOH and Joint Commission regulations.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: Bachelor’s Degree & Dietetic Internship. Master’s Degree preferred

Licensure/Certification: Registration with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. CDN preferred.

Skills, Knowledge or Abilities: Computer skills, ability to communicate with patients, staff, and colleagues.

Experience: 3-5 years clinical experience in a hospital required. Supervisory experience in related industry preferred.

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

Manages and supervises the clinical nutrition staff

• Directs and supervises clinical nutrition and diet office staff.
• Instructs and oversees clinical dietitians in the performance of patient related nutrition care.
• Participates directly in complex aspects of clinical workload.
• Assists Director in establishing policies/procedures for patients’ nutritional care, nutrition counseling, assessment, documentation, and case review where appropriate.

Advises employees in food preparation and service regarding clinical nutrition

• Advises staff involved in supervision of food preparation, tray delivery and patient meal selection. Assists staff with therapeutic diet selections and provides general nutrition information, assistance or guidance as needed.

• Collaborates with the Director, Chef and Food & Nutrition Manager in menu planning, quality and portion control, food service systems, and evaluation of services.

• Evaluates and recommends the purchase of new food products, enteral formulas and supplements.

• Inspects food for quality, appearance, taste and temperature.

• Identifies problem areas and recommends solutions to improve workflow, quality, or volume.

Provides in-service education programs and orientation of new employees.

• Assists in designing in-service education programs and competencies for clinical and Food & Nutrition staff

• Designs, implements, and presents comprehensive orientation program for employees hired for the clinical dietetics area.

Assesses, plans, coordinates and documents patients’ nutritional care

• Instructs patients and families concerning essentials of nutrition for patients on therapeutic diets as prescribed by the physicians.
• Assesses, plans, and coordinates patients’ nutritional care and advises physicians, nurses, and dietary staff of all pertinent information.
• Documents pertinent information in patient’s medical record and in CBORD computer system in accordance with nutritional policies and procedures.
• Oversees the accuracy of compliance to the diet order as prescribed by the physician. Makes meal rounds of assigned units.
• Calculates tube feedings, diets, and intakes where appropriate and communicates with production personnel concerning specific requirements.

Assists the Director with quality assurance functions

• Assists Director in coordination of the departmental quality assurance functions

Maintains effective working relationships with others through participation in leadership meetings, committees, and communication. Is accountable for the efficiency of self and staff including written and verbal reports

• Communicates to the Director concerns related to status of work load, questions, problems, and experiences related to the job.
• In collaboration with Director, reviews all staff members’ performance on an annual basis and more often if necessary. Provides insight into ways of improving performance and sets goals with staff member. Counsels staff as necessary.