Dietetic Technician I

Purpose:

Participates as a member of the multidisciplinary Patient Care Team to provide nutrition related expertise and education to meet the needs of a diverse patient population. This position will be Monday-Friday with weekend and holiday rotation. This position is also a flex position, allowing candidates to work 4 days one week, 3 days the following.

Responsibilities:

• If required, edits menus accurately in accordance to diet order, preferences, age specific needs, and the Diet Manual guidelines.

• Assists with the education, mentoring, and training of dietetic students/intern and new associates.

• Lead one department inservice/initiative/professional contribution through to completion annually with the ability to actively endorse evidence based practice.

• Performs nutrition screening of patients and accurately assess nutrition risk levels per established criteria.

• Provide appropriate basic nutrition education based upon patient/family learning needs and abilities.

• Plans menus and nourishments with patients to meet individual nutrition care needs in accordance with diet order, patient preferences, and allergies/intolerances, keeping patient satisfaction as a priority.

• Serves as a liaison between patient food service and clinical nutrition to optimize patient care and patient satisfaction.

• Appropriately addresses food and nutrition service issues and effectively resolves in a timely manner; anticipates service problems and proactively seeks to implement effective solutions.

• Provide ongoing direct patient care to include nutrition assessment, plans and evaluating outcomes.

• Participate in department based Quality Process Improvement activities.

• If required, assume the responsibilities of the Diet Clerk

• BS in Nutrition/Dietetics (must have completed a degree in the dietetics tract) with minimum of 1 year clinical nutrition experience. OR

• Associate Degree with 1 years clinical nutrition experience as a registered dietetic technician (DTR).

• Skills Analytical skills to assess, plan and evaluate outcomes. Interpersonal skills to effectively interact with a diverse population and collaborate in a team environment. Strong knowledge base of diet and related medical nutrition therapies. Sound nutrition education and counseling skills. Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances: For Associate Degree, CDR registration required UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran