Dietitian

JOB SUMMARY:

As an integral member of the interdisciplinary care team, the Dietitian is responsible for the planning, monitoring, and approving of menu foods. The Dietitian provides therapeutic services to individual Residents. The Dietitian works in collaboration and consults with the Food Services Manager to ensure food services meet all legislative standards, Park Place policy and Resident satisfaction. Treats Residents with dignity and demonstrates an attitude of caring. The Dietitian ensures a commitment to Resident safety and to our “culture of safety” as per Park Place Strategic Directions.  Current availability for 15 hours per week.

TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. In collaboration with the interdisciplinary care team and the Resident and/or family, assesses all Residents upon Move-In and annually to complete a documented, in-depth nutritional assessment, based on the Resident’s needs, abilities, and goals.

2. Provides consultation to the Food Services Manager in planning the menu and textured diets, and other dietary matters as they arise. Approves the rotating menu.

3. Performs swallowing assessments and makes recommendations on diet textures, feeding techniques and safety precautions.

4. Counsels Residents and family members on therapeutic diets, and other nutritional concerns.

5. Prescribes dietary supplements as appropriate (e.g., Resident with weight loss, wounds) and monitors their effectiveness and use.

6. Monitors quality of food served to Residents and Resident’s acceptability of items served.

7. Provides employees in-service education on nutrition related topics (e.g., dysphagia, therapeutic diets).

8. Responsible for routinely reviewing Resident weight data and following up with an in-depth nutritional assessment and plan revision as appropriate.

9. Coordinates and participates in MDS data entry by communicating with and observing the Resident and communicating with interdisciplinary team members and family.

10. Responsible for both the Minimum Data Set (MDS) and the Resident Assessment Protocols (RAPs) as it pertains to nutrition, which includes but is not limited to care plans, progress notes, assessments, profiles and/or tracking.

11. Documents complete, accurate and relevant data for every Resident according to Park Place’s policies.

12. Acts as a role model by demonstrating professionalism, empathy, trust, and respect in all interpersonal relationships, and recognizes personal impact on team dynamics.

13. Takes the Dietitian lead in the Park Place Home’s quality improvement/ performance measurement initiatives and processes including follow-up with summary and action plan implementation to meet or exceed best practice and Accreditation Standards.

14. Focuses on quality of care and safety assurance and improvement by taking a leadership role in Park Place site committees (e.g., Site Leadership, Resident Council).

15. Performs other related duties as needed.

HEALTH AND SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Responsible to read, understand and comply with Park Place’s and provincially mandated Occupational Health and Safety policies and safe work practices.

• Involved in all aspects of the Health and Safety Program including:

• Uses safe work procedures,

• Promotes health and safety policy and awareness,

• Makes safety suggestions.

• Reads OHS minutes posted.

• Responsible to take every reasonable precaution to protect the safety of Residents, self, other staff, and the public.

• Reports any good catch (near miss), injury, accident, or equipment damage to supervisor immediately and completes required reports.

• Corrects and/or reports unsafe conditions.

• Sets a good example.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Must have a university degree in Food and Nutrition or related field of study. Two (2) years recent related experience an asset.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.

• Ability to organize work.

• Ability to operate related equipment.

• Ability to work in teams collaboratively and communicate with others in a respectful manner.

• Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.