Dietitian Assistant - Valley Presbyterian

Job Summary

• Under the direction of the clinical dietitian, the dietitian assistant screens patients for nutrition risk, updates nutrition profile cards and corrects patient menus.

Education

• High School Graduate or equivalent
• Enrollment in Nutrition classes preferred.

Licenses and Certifications

• Must successfully complete and maintain LA City Fire Card certification at the time of hire or within the first 30 days of employment.

Experience

• Read, write and speak English well.
• Good effective verbal and written communication skills. 
• Ability to work well with the nursing staff and employees. 
• Able to communicate with patients of all ages and their families. 
• Knowledge of diet therapy, nutrition screening and modified diets. 
• Knowledge of computer entry. 
• Ability to calculate formula nutrients.
• At least one (1) year experience working as a food service worker or related experience.

Required Skills

• Responsible for screening all patients for nutrition risk and recording in the Kardex.                                 
• Responsible for updating the clinical nutrition rand to reflect the physician’s diet order, patient allergies, food preferences and risk level.
• Responsible for modifying all patient menus to reflect the diet order.
• Works under the direction of the registered dietitian.
• Performs calorie counts.  Visits patients for food preferences.
• Performs documentation responsibilities in an accurate, legible and timely manner.  Able to use hospital computer programs.
• Participates in continuing education to meet own professional development goals.  Remains aware of recent research and literature findings. 
• Participate in the development and maintenance of department policies and procedures.
• Participate in the department performance improvement activities to continually improve patient care and outcomes.

General Responsibilities

• Complies with VPH policies and procedures on customer satisfaction and service excellence.  Demonstrates professionalism and cultural sensitivity in coordinating activities and communicating with all customers, peers, and the community at large.  Conducts self in a professional, respectful and courteous manner during all interactions.  Works effectively and collaboratively with others toward common goals.
• Communicates accurately, honestly, supportively and in a timely manner with department and interdepartmental team members.  Demonstrates effective business writing and oral communication skills, handwriting is clear and legible.
• Participates in operational aspects of the department, and maintains/participates in performance improvement activities within the department.
• Participates in all departmental specific training, Environment of Care (injury/illness prevention, fire/life  safety, hazardous materials, emergency preparedness, utilities management, medical equipment management, safety and security management), infection control (standard precautions, TB Exposure Control Plan, Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan).
• Demonstrates knowledge of and follows safety practices.  Understands the importance of safety, including patient safety in the work place.  Maintains a safe environment for self and others.
• Actively participates in the Patient Safety Program, including event reporting.  Identifies sentinel events/near misses and responds per defined organization processes.  Participates in education activities and process implementation.  Demonstrates advocacy for the patient/customer and appropriately acknowledges patients, customers and visitors.
• The above statements reflect the essential functions considered necessary to describe the principle content of the job. They are not intended to be a complete statement of all work requirements or duties that may be inherent in the job.

Salary Range: $23.00 to $29.53