Dietary Manager

The Alden Network; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Alden Network in Chicago is seeking a Dietary Services Leader to plan, organize, and direct the Nutrition Department in a long-term care setting. You will ensure compliance with Federal, State, and local standards, guidelines, and facility policies, and collaborate with residents, families, and staff.

As the department head, you will recruit, schedule, and supervise FNS personnel, develop menus and nutrition plans, maintain documentation, and monitor food safety and quality.

Qualifications

• Must be licensed Registered Dietitian or clinically qualified nutrition professional.
• Certification as Certified Dietary Manager or equivalent national food service certification.
• Associate’s or higher degree in food service management or hospitality with food service focus.
• Current Sanitation Certificate or willingness to obtain one.
• Knowledge of Federal/State LTC Food and Nutrition Services regulations.
• Ability to read, write, and speak English.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Ensure that established departmental policies and procedures are followed.
• Attend resident care plan conferences and participate actively.
• Assess nutritional status of each resident per standards of care.
• Recruit, interview, and select FNS personnel with Administrator approval.
• Schedule department work hours, personnel, and assignments.
• Complete performance evaluations timely.
• Ensure credentials and training for FNS staff and compliance with procedures.
• Plan, conduct, and participate in in-service education programs.
• Orient new employees to the facility and department policies.
• Maintain available budgets and resource planning for equipment and supplies.
• Place orders for food and supplies per budget guidelines.
• Inspect storage rooms and inventory control.
• Review resident diets and implement diet changes as needed with nursing.
• Maintain diet and nourishment lists and care plans.
• Document meals and resident intake; address concerns.
• Ensure safe operation of dietary equipment.
• Develop QA and participate in related meetings.
• Supervise dining rooms and ensure proper service of diets and temps.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Leadership ability

English proficiency

Independent decision-making

Professional discretion

Communication with residents and their

Education

Licensed Registered Dietitian

Certified Dietary Manager

Associate’s or higher degree in food service management or hospitality (with food service focus)

Job description

Job Summary

• Responsible to plan, organize, develop, educate, and direct the overall operation of the Dietary Department in accordance with current Federal, State, and local standards, guidelines and regulations, facility policies and as directed by the Administrator.

Qualifications

• Licensed Registered Dietitian, or other clinically qualified nutrition professional (as defined by CMS F801 483.60(a)(1) ) or meets one of the following:
• Has received certification as a Certified Dietary Manager.
• Has similar national certification for food service management and safety from a national certifying body; or
• Has an Associate’s or higher degree in food service management or in hospitality, if the course study includes food service or restaurant management, from an accredited institution of higher learning.
• Must possess a current/valid Sanitation Certificate or be willing to take the necessary educational course to obtain one.
• Current knowledge and application of Federal and State Long-Term Care (LTC) Food and Nutrition Services regulations.
• Must be able to read, write, and speak the English language in an understandable manner.
• Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action that are in the best interest of the residents, staff, and families.
• Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with residents, family members, visitors, personnel, government agencies/personnel and the general public in a professional manor.
• Must possess leadership ability and a willingness to work harmoniously with other personnel.
• The ability to accept and utilize professional supervision, consultation and in- service training/educational opportunities.
• Must demonstrate the ability to handle confidential data with professional discretion.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday.
• Must possess sight/hearing senses or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately so that the requirements of the position can be fully met.
• Must function independently, have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with the residents, family members, personnel, and support agencies.
• Must be in good general health and demonstrate emotional stability.
• Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.
• Must be able to relate to and work with ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset and at times hostile people.
• May be required to lift, push, pull, and move equipment, supplies, etc. in excess of fifty (50) pounds throughout the day.
• Must be able to taste and smell food to determine quality and palatability.
• Is subject to exposure to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc., including exposure to the (HIV) AIDS and Hepatitis B viruses.

Essential Functions

• Ensure that established departmental policies and procedures are followed
• Attends and actively participates in resident care plan conference
• Assess nutritional status of each resident per standards of care
• Recruit, interview, and select FNS personnel with the approval of the Administrator
• Schedule department work hours, personnel, work assignments, etc. to expedite work
• Complete performance evaluations timely
• Assure that the FNS personnel are performing required duties, obtain all appropriate credentials and training, and follow all approved procedures
• Plan, conduct, and participate in in-service education programs
Orient new employees to the facility, his/her department, and its policies and procedures
• Recommend to the Administrator the equipment and supply needs of the department
• Place orders for food, equipment, and supplies, as necessary following established budgetary guidelines approved by the Administrator
• Inspect food storage rooms, utility/janitorial closets, etc. for upkeep and supply control
• Process diet changes and new diets as received from nursing department
• Review resident food concerns from Resident Food Committee or Resident Council and make written report to the Administrator of proposed intervention
• Interview residents, or family members, to obtain diet history and food preferences
• Maintain an up-to‑date list of all diets, blue cards, nourishment list, resident preferences, and resident diet census
• Complete MDS section and corresponding CAA’s, triggers, and care plans, to establish a workable nutrition plan for each resident
• Visit with residents and/or family to evaluate their acceptance of meals served
• Review Meal Monitoring Form and document on those residents identified to have decreased oral intake or an unusual eating pattern
• Assure that stock levels of food supplies are maintained at adequate levels
• Ensure that all personal operate dietary equipment in a safe manner
• Work with Corporate management team as necessary and implement changes as recommended
• Development, maintain, and implement the facility’s Quality Assurance Program
• Attend department head meetings, Infection Control meetings, Quality Assurance Meetings, etc. as directed
• Supervise, educate, counsel and discipline FNS personnel as needed.
• Perform rounds on a daily basis to guarantee all forms are completed, food temperatures are accurate, all equipment is functioning properly, all food items are labeled and stored properly, etc.
• Supervise all dining rooms for proper service of diets, portions, temperatures, sanitation, etc.
• Perform other related duties as assigned