Dietetic Tech (Per Diem)

UNC Health; North Carolina; On-site; USD 26,000 - 37,000; Part time

Job summary

UNC Health in Chapel Hill, NC seeks a per diem Research Nutrition Technician to prepare and procure food for research investigators, following strict protocol and safety guidelines. You will weigh ingredients to 0.1 g, document sheets, and support recipe development for study protocols.

Responsibilities include inventory, vendor coordination, and accurate meal delivery while maintaining privacy and regulatory standards. An associate degree is required; bachelor’s degree preferred.

Qualifications

• Associate degree required or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Preferred Bachelor's degree in nutritional science, culinary trades, or clinical research.

Responsibilities

• Prepares and distributes research foods precisely according to protocol.
• Weighs ingredients to 0.1 g for study integrity.
• Documents production sheets and records data as specified by protocol.
• Labels formulations to maintain blinding and food safety.

Skills

Nutrition experience

Attention to detail

Clinical research knowledge

Computer skills

Math skills

Education

Associate's degree in Dietetic Tech or ADA-approved program

Bachelor’s degree in nutritional science or related field (preferred)

Tools

ProNutra

Food Processor

Computrition

Job description

Description

Your passion belongs at UNC Health. Join more than 56,000 teammates working together to improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve across North Carolina.

Summary

The purpose of this position is to procure and prepare food products for research investigators according to protocol and food safety and sanitation guidelines. This includes strict control of ingredients and precise and accurate measurement of critical ingredients. This position will assist in recipe development striving for quality, taste, texture, appearance and overall acceptance in the population of interest. It is also critical to integrity of the study data to practice the utmost precision in calculation, accuracy and sanitation in the handling and distribution of research foods.

Responsibilities

• Prepares and distributes research food formulations precisely according to protocol procedures to meet research study specifications.
• Weighs ingredients as per production sheets and study recipes within 1/10th of a gram ensuring the scientific integrity of the experimental study.
• Documents production sheets and research meal delivery with date and signature. Records any further data as specified by protocol.
• Labels all formulations according to protocol to ensure food safety and maintain blinding of study staff and research participants as per protocol. Maintains blinding as required by protocol in all communications.
• Carefully prepares oral food challenges for Allergy Clinic protocols by weighing active and placebo powders, mixing according to procedure with specified vehicle, labels according to protocol to maintain blinding, completes all documentation accurately and timely and delivers challenge on time.
• Reports any errors in food production that may compromise the research data and therefore threaten the viability of the experimental study. Reports any changes if food products including vendor or ingredient changes to the Manager. Participates in root cause analysis.
• Prepares research foods in a timely manner in order to meet study timelines and research participant schedule. Delivers research meals according to time and event flowsheet.
• Tracks inventory and assists in production planning. Notifies manager when research food supplies are running low and assists in placing food orders.
• Retrieves orders from UNC Hospital and various outside food vendors as needed. Stores food appropriately.
• Works closely with the Clinical Manger and Administrative Coordinator to assist in recipe development for research protocols. Tasks include gathering recipe ideas, preparing recipes, tasting recipes, providing feedback and documenting the process.
• Tastes final food products to help ensure that research participants receive quality products and that no errors have been made in preparation to affect the taste, texture or appearance of the product.
• Demonstrates proper use of food preparation equipment. Cleans and maintains equipment appropriately to prolong the life of the equipment.
• Ability to work a flexible work schedule as needed.
• Communicates clearly and respectfully with Nutrition and Food Service Department staff, nurses, research participants and study staff.
• Uses mathematical calculations to adjust ordered recipe volumes.
• Monitors food storage, refrigerator and freezers for temperature standards.
• Participates in continuing efforts to improve the efficiency, safety and quality of work in the Metabolic Nutrition Research Core. These efforts consist of identifying problems and making recommendations for improving daily operations.
• Trains new personnel
• Ensures all policy and regulatory standards are met including health regulations and TJC standards. Maintains patient confidentiality, supports all principles of HIPPA and UNC Hospitals Code of Conduct.
• Demonstrates flexibility and professionalism at all times.
• Able to handle multiple and often rapidly shifting priorities.
• Complete all assigned LMS trainings as well as CITI good clinical practice.
• Demonstrates considerable mental concentration skills with precise attention to detail.
• Effectively uses computer software to navigate to MNRC drives, print production sheets, communicate via email, document in Microsoft OneNote and record data in Microsoft Excel. Engage in training for other specialized nutrition software such as ProNutra, Food Processor and Computrition.

Education Requirements

• Associate's degree from a program approved by the American Dietetics Association for Dietetic Technicians or equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Preferred Bachelor’s degree in nutritional science, culinary trades, clinical research.

Licensure/Certification Requirements

• No licensure or certification required.

Professional Experience Requirements

• With an Associate's in a related program, no prior experience required.
• With a High School diploma or GED: Four (4) years of related prior experience.
• Preferred experience in nutritional science, culinary trades, clinical research or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge/Skills/and Abilities Requirements

• Nutrition or food service experience preferred with a understanding of food safety, food preparation and food composition.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow established policies and procedures precisely.
• Knowledge of clinical research and understanding of importance of following protocol and reporting any formulation changes or errors immediately as it relates to study integrity.
• Strong computer skills, technical skills, critical thinking, basic math skills, acute vision, ability to work independently, organize and prioritize work with multiple requests at the same time; ability to communicate politely and effectively over the phone and in person and the ability to make decisions consist with the department and hospital policies.

Job Details

Legal Employer: STATE
Entity: UNC Medical Center
Organization Unit: Metabolic Nutrition Rsrch Core
Work Type: Per Diem
Standard Hours Per Week: 10.00
Salary Range: $19.12 - $27.17 per hour (Hiring Range)
Pay offers are determined by experience and internal equity
Work Assignment Type: Onsite
Work Schedule: Day Job
Location of Job: US:NC:Chapel Hill
Exempt From Overtime: Exempt: No
This is a State position employed by UNC Health Care System with UNC Health benefits. If, however, you are presently an employee of another North Carolina agency and currently participate in TSERS or the ORP, you will be eligible to continue participating in those plans at UNC Health.
Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran or political affiliation.
UNC Health makes reasonable accommodations for applicants' and employees' religious practices and beliefs, as well as applicants and employees with disabilities.
Please email [e-mail] if you need a reasonable accommodation to search and/or to apply for a career opportunity.