Dietetic Assistant

Description

Under supervision, to perform specialized clerical duties in an institutional kitchen; to monitor tray line assembly in a hospital or correctional facility kitchen, to assist patients in selecting menu items; and to assist Registered Dietitians in collecting nutrition assessment data for patient education.

Typical Tasks

• Processes and implements diet orders and diet order changes by completing or modifying individual patient menu information on a form or by entering into the Food Service Unit's diet system;

• Informs the appropriate cook of diet changes ordered;

• Interviews patients to obtain pertinent dietetic information, such as allergies, food preference, food intolerances, texture modifications, and/or religious dietary restrictions;

• Tallies specialized menu items requested for assembling meals;

• Receives and transmits phone messages between Physicians, nursing staff, Dietitians, and the kitchen staff;

• Monitors and labels prepared food trays for compliance with diet orders, cleanliness, and attractiveness;

• May set up menus for the tray assembly line;

• On request, calculates calorie, protein, and carbohydrate content of specified feedings;

• Assists patients in making selections of menu items within their prescribed dietary pattern, ensuring nutritional balance and that special restrictions are observed;

• Explains dietary principles and special restrictions to patients and relatives, as appropriate;

• Reconciles patient menu selections to ensure conformance with diet orders and Registered Dietitian's requests and advises appropriate parties of discrepancies;

• Updates diet file to confirm the diet modifications;

• May oversee and participate in the distribution of meal trays and/or between meal nourishments;

• Acts as trayline checker and/or provides direction to food service staff who are performing trayline duties;

• Keeps track of supplies as necessary;

• May assist in special dietary related projects;

• May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker, as required;

• Performs other related duties as required.

Employment Standards

Sufficient education, training, and experience to demonstrate the possession and direct application of the following knowledge and abilities:

Training and Experience Note: The required knowledge and abilities are attained through graduation from high school

and

Successful completion of a Dietetic Assistant program approved by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics;

OR

Possession of 30 semester units (45 quarter units) in nutrition coursework, including diet therapy;

OR

One (1) year of experience equivalent to a Dietetic Assistant in the County of Santa Clara working under the direct supervision of a Registered Dietitian.

OR

Two (2) years of experience in institutional food preparation, including modified diets, and completion of one (1) college level course in nutrition.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of food preparation and service;

• Basic principles of nutrition;

• Special diets;

• Kitchen sanitation methods;

• Record keeping methods;

• Common computer applications, such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases;

• Basic arithmetic.

Ability to:

• Communicate effectively with co-workers;

• Meet, guide, interview, instruct, and deal tactfully with patients regarding diet;

• Exercise independent judgment and decision making;

• Work accurately with figures and other detail;

• Maintain a record system and operate office equipment;

• Follow written and oral instructions in English.