Dietetic Assistant

St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton; Hamilton; On-site; CAD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in Hamilton is seeking a Dietetic Assistant to support in-patient nutritional management. The successful candidate will complete nutrition assessments, collaborate with dietitians, and document nutrition care plans, aiming to improve patient intake and satisfaction. A 2-year diploma in Dietetics or Food Service Management is essential, with preferred credentials in Nutritional Dietetics. This position offers an opportunity to make a significant impact on patient care.

Qualifications

• 1 to 3 years demonstrated work experience in nutritional management of hospitalized patients/clients.
• Excellent problem solving, organizational, interpersonal, and time management skills.

Responsibilities

• Independently completes Nutrition Assessment of low nutrition risk patients.
• Collaborates with Dietitian regarding moderate and high nutritional risk patients.
• Documents findings, assessment, progress and outcomes in the health record.

Skills

Problem-solving skills

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Time management skills

Education

2 year Diet Technician Diploma or 2 year Food Service Management Diploma

4 year Degree in Nutrition/Dietetics

Membership in the Canadian Society of Nutrition Management (CSNM)

Job description

Overview

POSITION SUMMARY: The Dietetic Assistant is responsible for completing in-patient Nutrition Referrals received from Dietitian/Registered Dietitian/Senior Registered Dietitian, Physicians, Nursing, multi-disciplinary team and Food Service Staff. The Dietetic Assistant completes referrals independently or in collaboration with the Dietitian/Registered Dietitian/Senior Registered Dietitian. The Dietetic Assistant acts as a liaison and resource between the patient and Clinical Nutrition and Food Services to ensure meals and nourishments are compliant with diet order, food allergies and accommodate patient clinical requirements and preferences. The key outcomes are to improve patient/client nutrition intake and meal satisfaction with the goal to improve clinical outcomes and reduce hospital length of stay and/or complications.

Qualifications

• 2 year Diet Technician Diploma or 2 year Food Service Management Diploma
• 4 year Degree in Nutrition/Dietetics, preferred
• Membership in the Canadian Society of Nutrition Management (CSNM), preferred
• 1 to 3 years Demonstrated work experience in nutritional management of hospitalized patients/clients.
• Excellent problem solving, organizational, interpersonal and time management skills

Responsibilities

• Independently completes Nutrition Assessment of low nutrition risk patients. Includes collecting biochemical, anthropometric, pharmaceutical, dietary, medical and psychosocial data.
• Collaborates with Dietitian/Registered Dietitian/Senior Registered Dietitian regarding moderate and high nutritional risk patients.
• Collects data from health record, nursing, patient and/or caregiver and other Clinical Nutrition and Food Service staff.
• Analyzes and calculates data (i.e., food intake records, weight, nutritional requirements).
• Documents findings, assessment, progress and outcomes in the health record.
• Collaborates with Dietitian/Registered Dietitian/Senior Registered Dietitian for the development, implementation, monitoring and documenting nutrition care plans.
• Monitors and adjusts care plans based on Department/Program Standards of Care and/or caseload volume.
• Develops and updates nutrition profiles for patient meals, allergies and food preferences/nutritional supplementation.
• Provides patient/client follow-up based on Department or Program Nutrition Standards of Care.
• Communicates care plan in written/electronic health record using department/hospital guidelines.
• Educates patient and/or caregivers when delegated from Dietitian/Registered Dietitian/Senior Registered Dietitian.
• Provides individual nutrition care plans, teaching and follow-up employing adult education techniques.
• Provides patient and/or caregiver with appropriate teaching materials that are geared to reading level, readiness to change and are culturally appropriate.
• If suitable, refers patients to additional community resources/linkages for follow-up nutrition care.
• Develops and implements a plan for continuing education based on assessment of strengths, areas of improvement, short- and long-term goals and results of performance appraisals.
• Maintains accurate Workload Measurement Statistics using departmental guidelines.
• Participates in program/department Quality Council meetings and hospital committees.
• When requested, acts as a mentor/preceptor in the orientation and training of new staff and learners