Position Description

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING
Position Number: 50240599	Description Activated On: 3/31/2025 10:23:39 AM

Position Purpose: Describe the primary purpose of this position and how it contributes to the organization’s objectives. Example: Provides clerical and office support within the Division to ensure its operations are conducted efficiently and effectively.

Provides nutritional services to individuals at WSH which includes assessment of nutritional status, nutritional care planning, counseling, education and evaluation.

Description of Duties: Describe in detail the duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Descriptions should include the major end result of the task. Example: Types correspondence, reports, and other various documents from handwritten drafts for review and signature of the supervisor.

1. Complete nutritional assessments, metabolic screens, dietary consults and progress notes based on chart review, patient visitation, family input,
physician orders and interdisciplinary team interaction, in compliance with hospital/department policies and survey regulations.
2. Establish nutritional plans.
3. Recommend nutritional interventions.
4. Document findings in medical record, following WSH documentation guidelines.
5. Discuss needs and interventions with physicians and other health care personnel.
6. Counsel individuals on nutritional principles, dietary plans, food selection, food preparation and food storage.
7. Provide input on food safety and sanitation issues.
8. Review and write special meal tickets.
9. Provide input and education related to food/medication interactions.
10. Provide discharge diet counseling
11. Consult with physicians and other health care personnel.
12. Educate individuals’ families, as needed or requested.
13. Monitor, evaluate and follow-up on food service quality assurance, quality
control and quality improvement issues, all areas.
14. Communicate through written and verbal methods.
15. Adhere to OMHSAS, DHS, WSH and Departmental policies & procedures.
16. Maintain accurate records.
17. Attend trainings and meetings.
18. Maintain confidentiality. Follow HIPAA guidelines.
19. Provide basic management duties as needed or requested by the Director of Dietetic Services.
20. Report for emergency situations or work stoppages, if notified.
21. Participates in OMHSAS approved Crisis Response training and utilizes approved Crisis Response interventions as needed to maintain safety.
22. Reviews and approves cycle menus.
23. Utilize food service software program to ensure accuracy of diets, per physician orders.
24. Serves on various committees as assigned.
25. Provides client educational classes as assigned.
26. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Decision Making: Describe the types of decisions made by the incumbent of this position and the types of decisions referred to others. Identify the problems or issues that can be resolved at the level of this position, versus those that must be referred to the supervisor. Example: In response to a customer inquiry, this work involves researching the status of an activity and preparing a formal response for the supervisor’s signature.

Makes clinical decisions for patients based on the nutritional information, lab values, physician's orders, departmental, and WSH procedures. Employee should consult with the Director of Dietetic Services, as situations beyond routine duties occur.

Requirements Profile: Identify any specific experience or requirements, such as a licensure, registration, or certification, which may be necessary to perform the functions of the position. Position-specific requirements should be consistent with a Special Requirement or other criteria identified in the classification specification covering this position. Example: Experience using Java; Professional Engineer License

Experience:

Licenses, registrations, or certifications:

1.   Registered Dietitian

2.   N/A

3.   N/A

4.   N/A

5.   N/A

6.   N/A

Essential Functions: Provide a list of essential functions for this position. Example: Transports boxes weighing up to 60 pounds.

1.	Plan and organize the complete program of consumer nutrition care.
2.	Utilize food services computer program to maintain consumer files relative to Dietary.
3.	Interpret /apply /conduct instruction on the principles of dietetics and nutrition.
4.	Plan standard and therapeutic diet menus in accordance with physician orders and standards of nutrition/cost/variety/quality.
5.	Perform nutritional calculations, analyze and interpret data, and summarize statistics.
6.	Perform Quality Assurance monitors.
7.	Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
8.	Provide special instructions to cooks and food service workers in preparation of special diet food items.
9.	Develop, modify, evaluate and implement nutritionally adequate menus and diets.
10.	Adjust meal tickets to optimize menu acceptance and prescribed diet.