Dietetic Technician-Registered Provides nutrition care services for patients/clients to address prevention and treatment of acute and chronic diseases and conditions and the promotion of overall health and wellness in conjunction with the registered dietitian nutritionist and other providers of direct patient care. Participates in enteral feeding preparation by adhering to an aseptic technique when producing specialty formula and human milk mixtures for patient consumption. Adheres to standards of food safety and sanitation, best practices for formula and human milk preparation in a hospital setting, regulatory standards, departmental and hospital policies and procedures in the execution of assigned duties.
Essential Functions
Patient Care:- Completes nutrition assessments of patients within the scope of practice of Dietetic Technician-Registered based on screening and documentation guidelines.
- Implements and monitors nutritional interventions assigned by the RDN to meet the nutritional needs of patients
- Estimates nutritional intakes of patients. Calculates and documents calorie counts as requested. Assists RDs with data collection as needed.
- Identifies patients in need of in-depth assessment by RD and transfers care appropriately.
- As appropriate, instruct patients (and families) on restricted/special diets or special formulas. Refers to outpatient follow-up as necessary.
Is knowledgeable regarding nutritional content, sources, and use of commercial supplements, tube feeding, infant formula, and feeding modular (fat, protein, carbohydrate, vitamins, and minerals).Inputs data from outpatient diet records on the computer for analysis to be completed by an outpatient dietitian. Maintain updates and enter new items in the Food Processor.
Provides education about nutrition and lactation including but not limited to assembly, cleaning, and maintenance of breast pump equipment, special diet education, and formula/modified human milk education.
Enteral Feeding Production and Human Milk Management:
Prepares, portions, and delivers patient enteral feeding orders accurately and timely.
Knowledgeable about human milk, formulas, and additives used in infant, pediatric, and adult patients.
Practices with a questioning attitude and escalates concerns, issues, or discrepancies regarding enteral feeding orders, faulty equipment, and unsafe working conditions appropriately.
Essential Functions:
Provides education about nutrition and lactation, and assists in developing education and other projects.
Participates in the maintenance of human milk inventory. Assists with human milk shipment and safe disposal as needed and adheres to standards for transport and shipment of human milk.
Adheres to applicable regulations, safety, and infection prevention & control standards that govern enteral feeding production operations.
Business Functions:
Maintains a friendly, efficient demeanor and models CHOP ICARE Values and Service Standards.
Participates in ongoing quality assurance and performance improvement activities as requested.
Maintains productivity, screening, and other documentation of activities as requested.
Participates in training other employees as requested.
Maintains confidentiality of patient information.
Professional Development/Leadership:- Collaborates and communicates with other members of the healthcare team
- Participates in any department staff meetings and education programs as requested.
- Maintains competence and professional development. Maintains registration as required. Uses reference materials, trends in dietetics, enteral feeding best practice guidelines and research to enhance clinical knowledge.
- Performs other duties as requested
Qualifications:- EducationAssociate's Degree Nutrition or related program by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Required
- Bachelor's Degree by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Preferred
- Work Experience
- Prior work experience in a hospital setting or WIC program Preferred
- Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
- Dietetic Technician-Registered (DTR) Commission on Dietetic Registration to be obtained within 9 months Required
- Certified Lactation Consultant (CLC) ALPP Preferred
- Serv Safe Certification (SSC) ServSafe Preferred
- Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing to patients and families, the public, medical staff, and physicians. Required
- Must be able to read English with understanding and write English legibly. RequiredBasic knowledge and application of medical nutrition therapy in pediatric patients. RequiredBasic knowledge of nutrient analysis, word processing, and spreadsheet software. Required
- Competence in nutritional content, sources, and use of commercial supplements, tube feedings, human milk, infant formulas, and feeding modular (fat, protein, carbohydrate, vitamins, and minerals). Required
- Ability to perform increasingly complex mathematical calculations such as fractions, percentages, ratios, proportions, and metric measures. Required
- Computer proficiency is required.
