Dietetic Technician: Human Milk & Formula Center, full-time, rotating shifts

Description

We are recruiting for a Diet Tech in the Human Milk and Formula Center. This Diet Tech will be responsible for the preparation, storage, and delivery of infant feedings. Shifts are rotating/variable and require every other weekend/holiday. Shifts include: 6a-2:30p, 7a-3:30p, 8a-4:30p, 8:30a-5p, 11am-7:30pm, 1:30-10p, and 4p-12:30a.

SUBFUNCTION DEFINITION: Meets the nutritional needs of patients through nutritional screening, assessment, intervention, monitoring, and evaluation as well as preparation, storage, and delivery of infant feedings.

CCHMC SALARY GRADE:5

SCOPE: Works under the supervision of a registered dietitian when providing services related to direct patient care.

Representative Responsibilities

• Formula and Human Milk Responsibilities:
  • Formula and Human Milk Preparation - Prepares formula and human milk accurately according to established written formulations, following pre-established preparation procedures and adhering to quality control standards. Operates all equipment needed to prepare feedings for infants in a safe and responsible manner. Labels and stores prepared formula and human milk properly. Delivers prepared formulas and human milk to patient area refrigerators. Maintains records of infant feeding inventory, preparation, and orders utilizing electronic medical record, barcoding, and other systems as appropriate. Disposes unused/expired feedings according to established protocol.

• • Inventory and Supplies - Inventories and maintains sufficient stock of all formula, sterile water, bottles and other supplies, as needed. Orders products and supplies and notifies supervisor of any shortages. Orders infant formulas and enteral feeding products from an approved and reliable vendor. Checks expiration dates on products and rotates supply inventory. Checks deliveries against order for accuracy. Reports to supervisor when short-dated products received from vendor. Follows procedures for formula recalls at the direction of supervisor.

• • Sanitation - Cleans and sanitizes all work surfaces in the preparation area before and after each formula preparation. Cleans utensils, equipment, and storage areas according to established procedures. Follows aseptic technique. Follows department and infection control policies regarding formula and human milk handling. Maintains daily appearance and personal hygiene according to departmental guidelines. Reports to appropriate supervisor if ill. When appropriate, prepares samples for bacteria check according to established protocol.

• Clinical Responsibilities:
  • Nutrition Screening/Assessment - Conducts nutrition evaluation and re-evaluation according to organizational policy to identify individuals with a nutrition-related problem. Provides support to nutrition assessment by obtaining food and nutrient administration and intake data including reviewing, recording, calculating and summaries food and nutrient intake. Interviews patient/caregivers and reviews records for history, anthropometric indicators, biochemical data, medical tests, procedures and evaluations, behavior/beliefs/knowledge/attitudes that influence nutrition and health, and other factors. Confirms and clarifies documented food allergies with patient/caregiver and clinical staff as well as assists patient/caregivers with allergy specific menus. Documents activities in the electronic medical record as appropriate. Communicates findings with registered dietitians and other interprofessional team members as needed.

• • Nutrition Intervention, Monitoring and Evaluation - Follows up with patient at scheduled time periods according to organizational policy or as requested by the registered dietitian. Responsible for the care of moderate nutrition risk patients while admitted and select outpatient clinics as assigned. Responds to patient/caregiver inquiries, guides patient menu selections, and provides nutrition education. Has competency to verify/provide formula and human milk recipes. Communicates/clarifies nutrition intervention/plan of care with patients/caregivers and interprofessional team members. Verifies that the nutrition intervention/plan of care is being implemented and that the needs/preferences of the patient are being met. Participates in discharge planning and transitions of care for patients. Communicates with RD about observed changes in patient that may impact the nutrition intervention/plan of care or discharge planning/transition of care needs.

• Quality Assurance - Verifies orders for accuracy and obtains clarification as needed from the registered dietitian. For clinical responsibilities, completes productivity records on a daily basis. For infant feeding preparation, checks equipment for proper operation and reports problems to the appropriate supervisor as well as maintains daily logs of temperatures and other quality metrics as assigned.. Communicates with the interdisciplinary team as needed. Performs within individual scope of practice. Uses quality and safety data to improve the quality of services provided and to enhance customer-centered services. Identifies and addresses potential and actual errors and hazards in provision of services or brings to attention of supervisors/team members as appropriate. Ensures compliance with all federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

• Competency and Accountability - Cooperates with formula room technicians, diet technicians and registered dietitians to complete daily patient care responsibilities. Partners with coworkers to provide valuable input on projects and takes ownership of project(s) as assigned. Adheres to professional code of ethics. Demonstrates and documents competence in practice and delivery of customer-centered service(s). Assumes accountability and responsibility for actions and behaviors. Designs and implements plans for professional development. Engages in evidence-based practice and uses best practices. Participates in peer review of others as applicable. Mentors, trains, and/or precepts others. Pursues opportunities (education, training, credentials, and/or certifications) to advance practice in accordance with laws and regulations, and requirements of practice setting.

Qualifications

Education/Experience

Required:

• Associate's Degree or higher in a related field
• No directly related experience
• Registered Dietetic Technician

Preferred:

• Previous related experience

Unique Skills

• Attention to detail
• Basic mathematics skills
• Works independently
• Time management
• Verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to prioritize work
• Basic computer knowledge
• Customer service/focus
• Analytical thinking

This position serves as a relief DTR for the Nutrition Therapy division including covering days off of diet technicians located in both the clinical setting as well as the Human Milk and Formula Center. Shifts are rotating/variable (could include second shift) and requires regular weekend/holiday assignments.