Clinical Nutrition Technician - Peace Arch Hospital

Fraser Health; White Rock; On-site; CAD 29,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Fraser Health in British Columbia is seeking a Clinical Nutrition Technician (CNT) to support Dietitians and the care team in providing nutrition care to patients within a person- and family-centered model. The CNT reviews records, screens for malnutrition risk, and helps implement nutrition care plans across patient units and Food Services.

The role involves interacting with patients, documenting assessments, and delivering basic nutrition education under the supervision of a Dietitian, while

Qualifications

• Successful completion of a recognized program in food service management and one years recent related experience or an equivalent combination of education such as international dietitian certification or certification from a nutrition sciences program.
• Courses in nutrition assessment preferred.
• Food Safe Certificate 1 preferred.

Responsibilities

• Screens and triages referrals from Registered Dietitians, Health care team, or Food Services by reviewing medical records orders, and the CNT Priority Intervention Criteria tool to identify caseload priorities for the day.
• Reviews patients/residents' information from the medical record such as diagnosis, select nutrition-related medications and liaises with staff to obtain additional information when needed.
• Visits patients/residents and/or patient care partners to obtain and exchange nutrition-related information and adjust meals as per the nutrition care plan.
• Performs malnutrition screening during patient visits using validated tools and refers to Registered Dietitian for further evaluation if required.
• Collects clinical data through interviews and medical record review including nutrient intakes/diet history and weight trends.
• Assists in implementing nutrition care plans, conducts follow-up visits, and communicates progress including diet textures/types and menu adjustments.
• Provides basic diet education to patients/patient care partners as assigned by the Registered Dietitian.

Skills

Communication skills

Conflict management

Indigenous Cultural Safety

Computer literacy

Organizational ability

Education

Food service management program

Tools

Patient care software

Job description

Salary

The salary range for this position is CAD $34.81 - $34.81 / hour

Detailed Overview

Reporting to the Dietitian Practice Leader, the Clinical Nutrition Technician (CNT) supports Registered Dietitians and other team members in the provision of nutrition care to patients in the context of a person and family-centered model of care. The CNT reviews medical records as well as visits patients/residents to conduct malnutrition screening, basic nutrition assessment, including nutritional and therapeutic diet needs, identifies food allergies, intolerances, preferences, and acceptance of meals. The CNT assists with the implementation of nutrition care plans in collaboration with the Registered Dietitian and works closely with interdisciplinary care team as a liaison between the patient care units and Food Services. The CNT provides basic nutrition education as directed by the Registered Dietitian and documents assessment and interventions in patient food service software and the electronic medical record.

Responsibilities

1. Screens and triages referrals from Registered Dietitians, Health care team, or Food Services by reviewing medical records orders, and the CNT Priority Intervention Criteria tool to identify caseload priorities for the day.
2. Reviews patients/residents' information as required from the medical record such as diagnosis, select nutrition-related medications and liaises with relevant staff to obtain additional information when needed.
3. Visits patients/residents and/or patient care partners on one-to-one basis or during meal rounds to obtain and exchange nutrition-related information as well as to review and adjust meals, nourishments, and oral nutrition supplements to be consistent with the agreed upon nutrition care plan.
4. Conducts malnutrition screening during patient visits using validated tools to determine risk for malnutrition and refers to Registered Dietitian for further evaluation if required.
5. Collects clinical data through patient/patient care partners interviews and review of the medical record which includes nutrient intakes/diet history, weight trends, barriers to food intake, and physical assessment.
6. Assists in implementing nutrition care plans designed by the Registered Dietitian, conducts follow-up visits, and communicates patient/resident progress including but not limited to changing/ordering diet textures/types, adjusting menus, and cater to patient tolerances and allergies.
7. Provides basic diet education to the patient/patient care partner by reviewing patient education materials as assigned by the Registered Dietitian such as high protein/calorie, basic diabetes, or low sodium.
8. Completes and submits referral forms for community services as assigned by the Registered Dietitian.
9. Acts as a liaison between the patient care units and Food Services. Reports patient feedback to enhance food quality and address patient needs.
10. Documents activities in the patients/residents' medical record.
11. Inputs additional nutrition information and processes menu-related information using the patient food service software.
12. Participates in quality assurance activities including audits, satisfaction surveys and inspections and provides input into patient/resident menu revisions. Completes appropriate reports, provides feedback, identifies and follows up on action plan/risk factors, and makes recommendations for improvements.
13. Participates in relevant department meetings.
14. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education, Training and Experience

Successful completion of a recognized program in food service management and one years recent related experience or an equivalent combination of education such as international dietitian certification or certification from a nutrition sciences program. Courses in nutrition assessment preferred. Food Safe Certificate 1 preferred.

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to deal with others effectively.
• Demonstrated ability to deal effectively with conflict situations. Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.
• Demonstrated ability to promote Indigenous Cultural Safety.
• Demonstrated ability to provide competent and culturally safe care in a variety of settings and with diverse populations.
• Demonstrated computer literacy to operate a computerized client care information system and applicable word processing, spreadsheet and database software applications.
• Ability to organize work.
• Ability to operate related equipment.

About Fraser Health

Fraser Health is the heart of health care for over two million people in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley in British Columbia, Canada, on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the Coast Salish and Nlaka’pamux Nations and is home to 32 First Nations within the Fraser Salish region.

People - those we care for and those who care for them - are at the heart of everything we do. Our hospital and community-based services are delivered by a team of 50,000+ staff, medical staff and volunteers.

We are committed to planetary health and value diversity in the work force. We strive to maintain an environment of respect, caring and trust. Fraser Health’s hiring practices aspire to ensure all individuals are treated in an inclusive, equitable and culturally safe manner.

Together, we are the heart of health care.