Nutrition Care Associate

Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center

Department: Food and Nutrition Services

Position is located: Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center

Work Type: PRN

Hours Per Week: 16.00

Work Schedule: No Hours Assigned

Summary :

The Nutrition Assistant assists patients with menu selection. They enter menu selections into the computer, run computer programs/reports, and assure tray tickets are accurate and up-to-date prior to meals. They also monitor refrigerator/freezer temps and assure that open foods/containers are labeled and dated. The Nutrition Assistant works closely with the RD/DTR, reporting patient intake and appetite.

Responsibilities :

• Follows departmental policies and procedures.
• Is flexible with work schedule.
• Willingly accepts direction and performs other duties as assigned.
• Participates in training new hires.
• Distributes and picks up patient menus on assigned units. Assists those who need help completing menus, assures selected menus are completed. Uses AIDET when interacting with pts/families.
• Takes room service requests from pediatric pts using excellent telephone etiquette.
• Strives to maximize patient satisfaction with meals, conducts 1 meal round/day. Proactively resolves foodservice related issues as they arise with assigned patients.
• Communicates effectively with kitchen supervisor, cooks and patient foodservice attendants in filling patient requests.
• Routes telephone requests as appropriate.
• Communicates patient/unit concerns to appropriate RD for follow up or action.
• Run Computrition programs correctly and at the appropriate time.
• Compare Cerner and Computrition for accuracy in diet orders
• Enter patient menu selections into Computrition.
• Manages time effectively.
• Phone log accurately reflects incoming calls.
• Logs patient food refrigerator temperatures on assigned inpatient units every shift. Reports out of range temperatures to engineering.
• Checks contents of assigned patient food refrigerators every shift, assures opened items are labeled and dated appropriately, disposes of expired foods or items not intended for patients.
• Treats patients of all age groups and is knowledgeable about developmental needs over the lifespan and where appropriate, incorporates findings of nutrition/teaching needs into individualized care plans.
• Attends mandatory staff meetings; completes ICare modules 2 wks prior to evaluation.
• Reports equipment malfunctions.
• All overtime is approved by manager or designee.

Other Information :

Competencies and Skills

• Behaves with Integrity and Builds Trust: Acts consistently in line with the core values, commitments and rules of conduct. Leads by example and tells the truth. Does what they say they will, when and how they say they will, or communicates an alternate plan.
• Cultivates Respect: Treats others fairly, embraces and values differences, and contributes to a culture of diversity, inclusion, empowerment and cooperation.
• Fosters Accountability: Creates and participates in a work environment where people hold themselves and others accountable for processes, results and behaviors. Takes appropriate ownership not only of successes but also mistakes and works to correct them in a timely manner. Demonstrates understanding that we all work as a team and the quality and timeliness of work impacts everyone involved.
• Practices Compassion: Exhibits genuine care for people and is available and ready to help; displays a deep awareness of and strong willingness to relieve the suffering of others.

Education

• Required High School Diploma/General Educational Development (GED)

Working Conditions

• Work with computers, typing, reading or writing.
• Lifting, moving and loading 20 to 30 pounds.
• Prolonged periods of sitting.
• Prolonged periods of walking.