Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING

Position Number:  50661251

Description Activated On:  7/15/2024 10:24:00 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. 

This position coordinates, inspects, and evaluates the therapeutic diet program while maintaining adherence to HIPAA standards.

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.

Responsible for completion of initial, annual, and significant change nutritional assessments (SAND Assessment) for residents. Complete MDS documentation and formal care plans for each resident at admission, quarterly, and as needed according to applicable laws, rules, and regulations.

Ensure optimal nutritional status of residents by planning, implementing, and evaluating nutritional interventions.

Write nutritional care plans and make dietetic recommendations for implementation consistent with physician’s orders and dietetic needs. Review care plans to ensure implementation.

Document nutritional status of residents in progress notes (medical record/electronic health record).

Monitor residents at nutritional risk on a monthly basis, including tube feedings, renal dialysis, brittle diabetics, dysphasia, significant weight change and any other nutritional concern and communicate to nursing.

Plan and modify standard and therapeutic menus in conjunction with the Director of Dietetic Services or Food Service Supervisor using dietary software program for conformance to physician’s orders/diet manual, standards of nutrition, variety and quality.

Consult with residents to provide instruction and information about diet restrictions and needs.

Conduct periodic meetings with residents/family members to determine food preferences of residents and their opinions concerning the food.

Attend and participate in interdisciplinary team meetings to communicate findings and make recommendations on improving resident’s nutritional status.

Ensure that an updated resident file in the dietary software program with resident information including: diet changes, food likes and dislikes, complaints, transfers, leave of absence or any other pertinent information is maintained.

Provide special instructions to supervisors, cooks, and food service workers in preparation of special diet food items. When necessary, prepare recipes or revise and modify existing recipes to meet needs.

Provide in-service training to dietary and allied health care personnel as needed in applicable areas of nutrition.

Work with the interdisciplinary team to develop clinical and dietary policies in conjunction with the Director of Dietetic Services.

Monitor tray service in dining areas for quality standards of the department.

Complete a nutritional discharge plan and resident instruction prior to discharge on all therapeutic diets.

Gather data and prepare reports on Quality Assurance indicators on nutritional issues such as weight loss, skin breakdown, meal satisfaction, etc.

Responsible for the overall administration of the Dietary Department in the absence of the Director of Dietetic Services/Food Service Manager.

Support the facility QAPI efforts by attending all assigned QAPI training; following established policies and procedures in support of QAPI efforts; participate in PIP teams as assigned; sharing ideas for improvement in the organization; and supporting QAPI efforts both verbally and non-verbally, including adjusting performance and practice in accordance with QAPI initiatives and findings.

Performs work in accordance with the DMVA general safety rules and safety rules for this position. Immediately reports all workplace injuries or incidents to the supervisor; and/or immediately corrects any safety hazards in the work area or reports same to supervisor.

If applicable, apply for and maintain a National Provider Number (NPI). Complete 855I and R. Fill out encounter sheets for those diabetic, renal failure, or kidney transplant individuals for services in the first year of diagnosis up to 3 hours and thereafter up to 2 hours of nutritional therapy. Forward encounter sheets to the Medical Records office for further processing.

Perform other related duties as required.

Use personal protective equipment when required such as gloves, masks, face shield, etc.

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.

Decisions are made within the scope of education and experience. Responsible for all resident nutritional programs and for providing input into resident care plans.

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. Communicate effectively verbally and in writing
 2. Sit for long periods of time
 3. Perform repetitive motions (typing, filing, answering the telephone)
 4. Reach, bend, stoop, pull, push, kneel, lift, walk, and grasp
 5. Use standard office equipment and software
 6. Travel as required and attend meetings, trainings, seminars, etc.
 7. Perform mathematic calculations
 8. Present briefings, trainings, and speak to individuals/groups
 9. Monitors all dining and living areas
 10. Use personal protective equipment and follow safety practices.