Nutrition Assistant

Responsibilities include: Visiting all patients on a regularly scheduled basis regarding meal documenting patient food preferences. Quickly responding to patient problems and communicating them to the Dietitian or Nutrition Supervisor. Correcting menus for nutritional adequacy, based on approved diet manual. Transcribing all pertinent patient information in the patient chart. Completing work assignments as directed without additional reminders. Filling out nourishment labels daily. Providing basic nutrition educational information to and picking up food carts as requested. Consistently implementing phone orders for new admissions, diet or room changes. Heading patient menus neatly and accurately with correct room number and name. Marking menus neatly and with accuracy - including measurements, fluid restrictions, sodium restrictions, isolations, etc. Accurately checking breakfast, lunch and dinner menus just prior to service; checking room number and diet; taking out discharges; and adding for new admissions. Accurately tallying last-minute special items needed for each successive meal. Informing cooks of food items needed. Working tray line as needed, following department policies and procedures. Consistently offering assistance to patients in marking menu selections; offering accepted alternate food selections to patients when requested. Consistently striving to use patient's menu selection rather than sending the house diet. Obtaining food preferences from patient's family when patient is unable to make his/her own selections. Consistently attempting to resolve problems with food preferences before consulting with dietitians. Always filling in diabetic exchanges before menus are received by finishing checking menus 5-10 minutes before tray line start-up; taking meal census and bringing menus to production area. Accommodating changes in work schedule to achieve department objectives. Performing additional work assignments during periods of low patient activity. Appropriately prioritizing work assignments. Demonstrating knowledge of normal and therapeutic nutrition principles. Completing menu work in coordination with kitchen staff's production procedures. Demonstrating familiarity with food exchanges for diabetic diets and other modified diets. Adhering to dietary restrictions when offering alternate selections to patients on a therapeutic diet. Appropriately identifying and referring nutritional problems to the dietitian. Demonstrating behaviors of service excellence and CARE values (Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Expertise).Performing all other related job duties as assigned. Generally requires 0 to 3 years of related experience. High School diploma is strongly preferred. Ability to analyze, organize and prioritize work accurately while meeting multiple deadlines. Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form. Ability to handle difficult and stressful situations with critical thinking and professional composure. Ability to understand and follow instructions. Ability to exercise sound and independent judgment. Knowledge and skill in use of job appropriate technology and software applications. Must meet and maintain current all unit specific and organizational skills/competencies, certifications/licensures, as required by the nursing area. Valid license or certification is required as needed, based on the job or specialty.

Physical Requirements: Job function requires extended standing or walking. Must be able to carry objects weighing 21 to 50 pounds. Able to lift or move objects weighing 51 to 100 pounds with the use of appropriate devices. Jobs in this group require frequent visual acuity to perform activities related to extended use of computers. Additional information and provision requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by the home unit/department in collaboration with the Reasonable Accommodations Committee (RAC). Environmental Conditions - Jobs in this group are required to function in a fast paced environment with occasional high pressure or emergent and stressful situations. Frequent interaction with a diverse population including team members, providers, patients, insurance companies and other members of the public. Function is subject to inside environmental conditions, with occasional outdoor exposures. Exposure to various environments such as: communicable diseases, toxic substances, medicinal preparations and other conditions common to a hospital and medical office environment. May also be exposed to needle sticks, airborne infections, medical gases, X-Ray, chemical exposures and other potential hazards. Must wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when exposed to infectious/clinical hospital environment. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the described essential functions. Additional information and provision requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by the home unit/department in collaboration with the Reasonable Accommodations Committee (RAC).