Dietetic Technician

Kennedy Krieger Institute; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Paid time off

Retirement plans

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, MD is seeking a compassionate Dietary Technician to support patient nutrition within the Nutrition Department. You will coordinate meal services, monitor intake, educate patients and families, and collaborate with Johns Hopkins Hospital Food Service.

This on-site role requires DT-R certification, an ACEND-approved education path, and experience in clinical food service; four 10-hour days, 7:30am–6pm with rotating weekends.

Qualifications

• DT-R certification required by ACEND
• Bachelor's degree in Dietetics may substitute for DT-R requirement
• Associate's degree (or equivalent) required from a U.S. regionally accredited college or university

Responsibilities

• Develop nutritionally complete daily menus based on physician orders in Epic.
• Manage menu selections in CBORD Diet Order System ensuring accuracy and deadlines.
• Monitor patient intake and acceptance of meals, snacks, and formulas.
• Gather data from EMR for patient assessments (height, weight, labs, intake).
• Educate patients and families on nutrition and prescribed diets.
• Coordinate orders through CaterTrax and maintain documentation.
• Maintain nursing unit pantry stock levels.

Skills

DT-R certification

Organized

Detail-oriented

Team communication

Education

Associate's degree or equivalent

Bachelor's degree in Dietetics (substitution for DT-R)

Tools

Epic

CBORD Diet Order System

CaterTrax

Job description

This position is fulltime, working 40 hours per week, four 10 hour days from 7:30a-6p. Weeks rotate between Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday then Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

At Kennedy Krieger Institute, we are dedicated to helping children, adolescents, and adults with disorders of the brain, spinal cord, and musculoskeletal system achieve their full potential. We are seeking a compassionate and detail-oriented Dietary Technician to join our Nutrition Department and play a vital role in supporting patient nutrition and wellness.

As an integral member of the nutrition care team, the Dietary Technician serves as a key liaison between Kennedy Krieger Institute and the Johns Hopkins Hospital Food Service team. Under the supervision of the Director of Nutrition and guidance of Clinical Nutritionists, this position supports nutrition care by coordinating meal services, monitoring dietary intake, providing nutrition education, and assisting with food service operations.

What You'll Do

• Develop and maintain individualized, nutritionally complete daily menus based on physician diet orders entered in Epic.
• Enter and manage menu selections within the CBORD Diet Order System while ensuring meal delivery accuracy and adherence to Johns Hopkins Food Service deadlines.
• Monitor patient intake and acceptance of meals, snacks, supplements, and formulas.
• Calculate nutrient intake and assist Clinical Nutritionists with patient assessments by gathering data from the electronic medical record, including:
• Height and weight measurements
• Laboratory values
• Dietary intake information
• Educate patients and families regarding nutrition, food choices, and prescribed diets.
• Coordinate food, snack, formula, and supply orders through CaterTrax and maintain required documentation.
• Ensure nursing unit pantry stock levels are maintained.
• Assist with quality improvement initiatives, data collection, and departmental projects.
• Serve as a liaison between Kennedy Krieger staff and Johns Hopkins Hospital Food Service personnel.
• Participate in training and continuing education opportunities.
• Supervise students as assigned, including delegation of workload and responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Must possess and maintain status as Dietetic Technician - Registered (DT-R) from the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). A Bachelor's degree in Dietetics from an ASCEND-accredited program at a U.S. regionally accredited college or university may be substituted for this requirement.

Education

• Associate's degree (or equivalent college credits) from a U.S. regionally accredited college or university required.

Experience

• Experience or exposure to:
• Clinical food service management
• Nutritional care
• Healthcare or rehabilitation environments preferred

Ideal Candidate

You are:

• Organized and detail-oriented
• Passionate about nutrition and patient care
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced healthcare environment
• Skilled at communicating with patients, families, and interdisciplinary teams
• Able to balance administrative responsibilities with direct patient interaction

Physical Requirements

• Ability to walk throughout and between buildings while carrying supplies and pushing wheeled carts.
• Ability to bend, stoop, and reach while stocking food supplies.
• Ability to move throughout the Institute during the course of the workday.
• Ability to effectively utilize computers, peripheral devices, and related technology.
• Position requires on-site presence.
• May occasionally require work outside normal business hours.
• May involve exposure to communicable diseases and other healthcare-related environments.

Why Kennedy Krieger?

Kennedy Krieger Institute offers a comprehensive total rewards package designed to support your health, well-being, and professional growth, including:

• Competitive compensation
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Generous paid time off and holidays
• Retirement savings plans
• Tuition assistance and professional development opportunities
• Employee wellness programs
• Mission-driven work that changes lives every day

Kennedy Krieger Institute is committed to fostering a workplace where every individual is valued and has the opportunity to contribute their unique talents and perspectives, with or without reasonable accommodations.