Under the direction of the Administrator of the Home, the incumbent assumes the authority and responsibility for the management, operation and evaluation of the Department of Nutrition and Dietary Services, including clinical nutrition, education, meal services and quality assurances. The candidate will advise the home administrator on matters pertaining to dietetics.
Responsibilities:
Management
- Oversee all aspects of the Nutrition and Dietary Services Department. This includes all staff, equipment, and inventory within the department.
- Establish the mission of Nutrition and Dietary Services including the philosophy, the statement of purpose, and the description of functions that are congruent with the mission of the Facility.
- Collaborate with other Homes to develop common long-term and short-term goals for the Nutrition and Dietary Services.
- Set annual goals and objectives for Nutrition and Dietary Services. The goals and objectives are monitored and continuously improved through strategic planning with the multidisciplinary care team.
- Develop an annual work plan to ensure task completion within timelines.
- Monitor and continuously improve the meal service activity through the Continuous Quality Improvement Plan and quality control audits to ensure that the service provided meets the nutritional needs of residents according to resident satisfaction surveys.
- Ensure that a comprehensive therapeutic supplemental nutrition program consistent with current guidelines is established.
- Participate in the development, assessment and updating of current and new systems, program, policies and procedures.
- Identify the Department’s needs for suppliers, equipment and personnel.
- Prepare and monitor the budget to maintain cost control with periodic financial analysis.
- Ensure all Ministry required documentation and references are available to staff.
- Communicate with, involve and support families in determining appropriate dietary services.
- Participate in any function or capacity which may be required in the event of an emergency or disaster situation involving the home.
- Attend meetings as required.
- Participate in all committees as per committee’s term of reference.
- Complete operational requirements by ensuring the proper scheduling and assigning of employees and following up on work results as required to achieve departmental goals.
- Supervise staff by coaching, counselling and disciplining employees in accordance with the Home’s policy and applicable agreements and plans. Monitor and evaluate job results.
- Liaison with internal and external clients requiring the purchasing and selling of goods and procurement of services as they relate to the Nutrition and Dietary Services
- Oversee other departments’ operations when the department head is on leave.
- Support other departmental activities and programs.
- Partner with community colleges to provide placement opportunities for students in nutrition-related training to promote quality Nutrition & Dietary Services for the industry.
- Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending and participating in educational workshops, reviewing professional publications, establishing personal networks, and participating in professional societies.
Clinical Nutrition Care
- Serve as a resource person in the area of Clinical Nutrition.
- Ensure that the nutritional care program complies with established standards and guidelines for Long-Term Care. Ensure that the program is consistent with current dietetic professional practice as expressed in the Manual of Clinical Dietetics and the policies of the facility.
- Work with the NSD in developing a nutritional care program for residents, including nutritional screening and assessment protocol to identify and monitor residents at nutritional risk.
- Direct the activity of the NS in the provision of nutritional care to the residents.
- Work collaboratively with the NSD, NS, and multidisciplinary team. Develop nutritional care plans for residents identified at nutritional risk, congruent with residents’ needs and rights.
- Identify education needs on nutrition care for staff and recommend appropriate programs.
- Initiate and conduct in-service education training program for all staff.
- Establish eating management procedures and lead the eating assistance team throughout nursing and dietary departments. Follow-up and monitor resident’s responses.
- Work with NSD in developing protocols for nutrition intervention to promote optimal skin integrity and to minimize use of medications whenever possible.
- Attend the multidisciplinary care conferences to discuss the nutritional aspects of individual residents and revise the nutrition care plan as necessary.
- Ensure that when enteral feedings are provided, a comprehensive program is in place which includes, but is not limited to: assessment and interdisciplinary care team review to determine the resident’s clinical condition and expressed wishes, demonstrating the reasonable use of enteral feedings; provision of care in a manner that minimizes risk; efforts to restore normal eating function if possible; training of staff in enteral feeding.
- Consult with the health care team to review and identify nutrient related health problems and determine their treatment goals.
Qualifications:
- Current membership with the Canadian Society of Nutrition Management.
- Five years previous professional experience in long-term care.
- Excellent leadership, communication and interpersonal skills with an interest in gerontology.
- Self-starter who is professional, energetic and resourceful.
- Sensitive to residents’ cultural, spiritual, and physical needs.
Note: We thank all candidates for their interests. However, only those selected for interviews will be contacted. No telephone calls please.
Disclaimer: Mon Sheong Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment accommodation in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. If contacted for an employment opportunity or testing, please advise Human Resources if you require accommodation.