Dietetic Technician PRN or As Needed

Expected Starting Salary Range: 19.73 - 24.05

SUBFUNCTION DEFINITION: Meets the nutritional needs of patients through nutritional screening, assessment, instruction, monitoring, and patient visitation.

SCOPE: Works under the supervision of a registered dietitian when providing services related to direct patient care.

REPRESENTATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Clinical Dietetic Technician-Patient Care Evaluation

Responds to notification of admitted patients who have failed the admission nutrition screen. Performs an in-depth nutrition evaluation which includes gathering information on patients for assigned area(s)-reviews medical record to collect pertinent data including medical and social history; collects laboratory values and medications as appropriate; obtains anthropometric measurements as needed; collects past growth information and completes growth charts as requested; interviews parent and patient to obtain pertinent nutrition information. Evaluates and re-evaluates patients for nutritional risk status in assigned patient care area(s). Has competency to verify/provide recipes for orders received for mixed formulas (powder to water only). Other responsibilities include specialized menus, completion of calorie counts, provision of discharge education, working with select clinic or outpatient clinic as assigned. Responsible for the care of the moderate risk patients.

• Patient Care

Monitors moderate nutrition risk patients and notifies registered dietitian of a change to high nutritional risk. Documents interactions with patients and families which affect care. Assists registered dietitian in implementing nutritional care plans for patients at moderate and high nutritional risk. Refers patients requiring additional nutritional intervention to the registered dietitian; verifies implementation of current diet orders; monitors patient acceptance and tolerance of prescribed diet; implements and individualizes modified menus with patient per diet order while encouraging selection of foods to meet patient needs; confirms and clarifies documented food allergies with parents and clinical staff and serves as a primary resource for assisting families with allergy specific menus per division policy; confirms physician order for nutrient intake analysis and collects, calculates, and documents intake results for patients on oral, enteral, and parenteral feedings; performs computerized nutrient analysis of products, and intake; provides nutrition information to patients/parents; communicates information to the health care team; contributes information for patient files in division; facilitates requests for special food items; completes WIC forms and prescription.

• Professional Responsibility

Monitors duration of NPO and Clear Liquid diet orders and intervenes according to policy. Collaborates with Formula Room Technician regarding tube-feeding products on assigned areas. Provides formula recipes for Formula Room Technician using standardized charts. Calculates amount of tube feeding product to be delivered on a daily basis for patients with tube feeding orders as needed. Monitors usage of products on assigned patients.

• Fiscal and Departmental Responsibility

Enters charges into computerized system and completes productivity records on a daily basis.

• Collaboration

Cooperates with diet technicians and dietitians to complete daily patient care responsibilities. Partners with coworkers to provide valuable input on projects and takes ownership of project(s) as assigned. Provides technical support in specialty ambulatory clinics.

• Competency and Accountability

Cooperates with formula room technicians, diet technicians and registered dietitians to complete daily patient care responsibilities. Partners with coworkers to provide valuable input on projects and takes ownership of project(s) as assigned. Adheres to professional code of ethics. Demonstrates and documents competence in practice and delivery of customer-centered service(s). Assumes accountability and responsibility for actions and behaviors. Designs and implements plans for professional development. Engages in evidence-based practice and uses best practices. Participates in peer review of others as applicable. Mentors, trains, and/or precepts others. Pursues opportunities (education, training, credentials, and/or certifications) to advance practice in accordance with laws and regulations, and requirements of practice setting.

• Nutrition Assessment, Intervention, and Evaluation

May be responsible for the following: Conducts nutrition evaluation to identify nutrition-related problems. Obtains nutrient administration and intake data to support assessment. Interviews patient and reviews records for history, anthropometric indicators, biochemical data, behavior, etc. that influence nutrition and health. Confirms food allergies as well as assists patient with allergy specific menus. Follows up with patient at scheduled time periods according to organizational policy or as requested by the registered dietitian. Responsible for the care of moderate nutrition risk patients while admitted and select outpatient clinics as assigned. Responds to patient inquiries, guides patient menu selections, and provides nutrition education. Has competency to provide formula and human milk recipes. Communicates nutrition intervention with patients and care team. Verifies nutrition intervention implementation and the needs of the patient are being met. Participates in discharge planning and transitions of care for patients. Documents activities in the electronic medical record as appropriate. Communicates findings including changes in patient that may impact the nutrition intervention or transition of care needs with registered dietitians and other care team members.

• Quality Assurance

Verifies orders for accuracy and obtains clarification as needed from the registered dietitian. For clinical responsibilities, completes productivity records on a daily basis. For infant feeding preparation, checks equipment for proper operation and reports problems to the appropriate supervisor as well as maintains daily logs of temperatures and other quality metrics as assigned. Communicates with the interdisciplinary team as needed. Performs within individual scope of practice. Uses quality and safety data to improve the quality of services provided and to enhance customer-centered services. Identifies and addresses potential and actual errors and hazards in provision of services or brings to attention of supervisors/team members as appropriate. Ensures compliance with all federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

• Formula and Human Milk Preparation

May be responsible for the following based on job assignment. Prepares formula and human milk accurately according to established written formulations, following pre-established preparation procedures and adhering to quality control standards. Operates all equipment needed to prepare feedings for infants in a safe and responsible manner. Labels and stores prepared formula and human milk properly. Delivers prepared formulas and human milk to patient area refrigerators. Maintains records of infant feeding inventory, preparation, and orders utilizing electronic medical record, barcoding, and other systems as appropriate. Disposes unused/expired feedings according to established protocol. Cleans and sanitizes all work surfaces in the preparation area before and after each formula preparation. Cleans utensils, equipment, and storage areas according to established procedures. Follows aseptic technique. Follows department and infection control policies regarding formula and human milk handling. Maintains daily appearance and personal hygiene according to departmental guidelines. Reports to appropriate supervisor if ill. When appropriate, prepares samples for bacteria check according to established protocol.

• Inventory and Supplie

May be responsible for the following based on job assignment. Inventories and maintains sufficient stock of all formula, sterile water, bottles and other supplies, as needed. Orders products and supplies and notifies appropriate supervisor of any shortages. Orders infant formulas and enteral feeding products from an approved and reliable vendor. Checks expiration dates on products and rotates supply inventory. Checks deliveries against order for accuracy. Reports to appropriate supervisor when short-dated products received from vendor. Follows procedures for formula recalls at the direction of appropriate supervisor.

Qualifications:

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

Required:

• Associate's Degree in a related field

• Registered Dietetic Technician

Preferred:

• Previous related experience

Unique Skills:

Cincinnati Children's is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and treasures Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. We are committed to creating an environment of dignity and respect for all our employees, patients, and families. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, genetic information, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. EEO/AA/M/F/Veteran/Disability