Job Description

University of Utah Job Description

Job Summary

Provides optimum nutritional care to patients by communicating diet and menu information, screening for nutritional problems, computing nutrient intake, and completing other duties as assigned by the Clinical Nutritionist.

Qualifications

Associate’s degree in Nutrition, Health Care, or related area, or equivalency; completion of a hospital-provided nutrition competency test at a minimum of 85% accuracy; a current food service worker’s permit; and demonstrated human relations, effective communication, and computer literacy skills required.

Incumbents must complete a hospital-provided Medical Terminology Course within 1 year of employment.

Bachelor's Degree in Nutrition is preferred.

This position is patient-sensitive and must fulfill all associated requirements. We protect our patients, coworkers and community by requiring all patient-sensitive employees to be immunized according to CDC standards and hospital policy. Limited exemptions may be made for documented medical contraindications or religious beliefs that object to vaccinations.

Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.

Disclaimer

This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification.  It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.

Essential Functions

1. Ensures that all patients receive menus and instruction on how to fill them out within 12 hours of admission; obtains patient food preferences and special nutritional needs.
2. Obtains pertinent information including lab data from the patient medical record, screens for nutritional risk, and records the information for use by the Clinical Nutritionist.
3. Calculates and charts all nutrient intake records (including parenteral and enteral data) on department computer system as ordered by Physicians and other health care providers.
4. Writes special menus for patients in order to meet diet orders, food preferences, or special needs.
5. May instruct patients on special diets as directed by a Clinical Nutritionist and notifies a Clinical Nutritionist if patient requires nutrition education.
6. Updates and maintains current patient diet order records; confirms that patient menus comply with newest diet orders before each meal; and makes adjustments to menus as required.
7. Oversees completion of weekly patient satisfaction surveys and follows through with resolving identified patient issues.
8. Assists patients and/or patient's family with food service problem resolution.
9. Participates in patient tray quality checks.
10. May be required to carry a pager and respond to calls in a timely manner.
11. Arranges snacks for at-risk and other patients with special nutritional needs.
12. Develops patient meal plans under the direction of a Clinical Nutritionist.
13. Initiates daily patient charges for enteral products, nutrient intake analysis, and guest trays to facilitate patient billing.
14. Interacts and coordinates with nurses, physicians, and other hospital staff as required to ensure optimal patient care.
15. Tallies menu specials and cold foods.
16. Prepares formulas and/or modular formulas using sanitary techniques and following department standards.
17. May participate in department Quality Improvement programs.
18. May be required to prepare and deliver patient trays when staff shortages as dictate.
19. May be required to train Nutrition Care Aides.

Problem Solving

his position has the authority to assist in training and/or providing work direction to Nutrition Care Aides; and to modify menus to meet patients’ dietary needs and satisfaction. Incumbents may have limited involvement in directing the work of 3-5 Nutrition Care Aides.

Representative challenges incumbents may face include calculating nutrient intake and modifying/specializing menus to meet patients’ unique dietary needs and expectations. Incumbents must always display good human relation skills in interactions with patients and their families in resolving patient dietary issues.

Comments

Incumbents must comply with departmental policies regarding attendance and periodic evaluations in order to perform the job duties acceptably.

Incumbents may face exposure to items discarded on patient trays including soiled bandages and tubing, spilled medications, bodily fluids, and patient care equipment such as needles, clamps, and scissors. They may also face exposure to potentially dangerous cleaning chemicals utilized in sanitation procedures as well as equipment/supply hazards such as wet or hot work surfaces and sharp edges on food wrap containers or open cans, meat slicers, and food processors. This position involves lifting and/or pushing heavy supply containers, equipment, and food carts.

Incumbents are responsible for verifying and processing patient calorie count charges which exceed $50,000 annually.

Depending on the area of assignment, this position may provide care to infants, toddlers, school age children, adolescents, adults, and geriatrics.

The staff member must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served on his or her assigned unit.  The individual must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of life span growth and development and the ability to assess data regarding the patient's status and provide care as described in the department's policies and procedures manual.