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Dietitian Trainee (#TH8000)



DEFINITION

Under immediate supervision as a trainee, learns to assist in developing and implementing nutritional care plans and diets for inpatients and other outpatients of Health Care Services; to provide technical and educational nutritional services and other professional dietetics services; and to perform related or other work as assigned.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This is a temporary unregistered, trainee position. The Dietitian Trainee trains to perform clinical dietetic duties in a health care setting; perform a variety of nutritionist duties; and provide nutritional services for public and private agencies. Work is generally done under close supervision; however, as experience and skills are gained employees work more independently.

TYPICAL DUTIES

In a training capacity, assists in the following work:
  • Assist in identifying at risk patients and prioritizes need for consultation services; assesses nutritional status utilizing established parameters; obtains and evaluates diet history, laboratory values, medication history, anthropomorphic data and observations to assess needs; utilizes information to plan and implement nutritional care plans; charts information and observation.
  • Evaluates and interprets physician orders; calculates calorie and nutrient contents for special diet and tube feedings; provides therapeutic dietary information to health care staff and to patients and families; resolves clinical issues.
  • Monitors and evaluates patient tolerance of and compliance with meals; modifies nutritional care plans; recommends modifications to physician orders; modifies menus to meet dietary needs; reviews institutional menus for compliance with regulations and standards; recommends new menus for regular and special diets.
  • Provides technical assistance in the areas of menu planning, food preparation, diet modifications, and nutrition education to operators and kitchen staff of senior programs, schools and child care facilities, nursing homes, board and care facilities, county institutions and other facilities.
  • Develops and presents nutrition education and service programs; provides individual and group counseling to individuals and families; provides special diet information to individuals with specific medical needs including dialysis and kidney patient, diabetics, pregnant and nursing mothers and others.
  • Conducts training for health care staff in the areas of meal preparation, preparation of special diet items, charting of trays, sanitation and cleanliness, food storage and try preparation; may monitor preparation and cleanup operations; may inspect patient trays.
  • Conduct surveys and studies; analyzes and prepares reports; maintains records; orders supplies.
  • MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

    Education:  Graduation from an accredited college or university with major course work in dietetics, nutrition, or closely related field including the completion of an approved dietary internship or a coordinated Undergraduate Program (CUP) at an approved institution.

    KNOWLEDGE

    Principles and practices of dietetics and nutrition; basic special nutritional requirements as they pertain to a wide variety of medical conditions and patient needs; methods, materials and equipment used in hospital and home food preparation and service; sanitation methods in volume food preparation and service; basic principles and techniques of public relations and customer service.

    ABILITY

    Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; learn to  interpret and apply dietary prescriptions; learn to evaluate patient medical information; learn to integrate special nutritional needs and patient preferences into hospital menus; instruct individuals and groups; conduct formal classroom training in nutrition, dietetics, cooking and related subjects; maintain records.

    PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

    Mobility-Occasional operation of computers; repetitive motion; occasional sitting for extended periods; occasional standing for extended periods frequent walking; occasional driving may be required; occasional climbing stairs may be required; Lifting-Ability to occasionally lift 5 pounds or less; Vision-Frequent good overall vision and reading/close-up work; frequent color perception; occasional use of eye/hand coordination; occasional use of depth perception and peripheral vision; Dexterity-Normal dexterity with frequent writing; occasional repetitive motions, holding reaching and grasping; Hearing/Talking-Frequent hearing and talking on the telephone and in person; ability to hear normal speech and faint sounds; Emotional/Psychological-Frequent public contact and decision making; occasional concentration, working alone and exposure to trauma, grief and death; occasional exposure to hazardous or infectious materials, emergency situations.


    CLASS: TH8000; EST: 8/24/2004;