Clinical Dietitian

Northern Light Acadia Hospital

Department: Food and Nutrition Services

Position is located: Acadia

Work Type: Full Time

Hours Per Week: 40.00

Work Schedule: 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM

Summary:

The Dietitian/Co-Director is responsible for Clinical Nutrition Services and Co-managing the Department. As Dietitian, s/he is responsible for calculating and interpreting diets for clients in assigned areas and instructs clients and their families in dietary guidelines appropriate for the condition. As Co-Director, s/he works with the Food Service Manager/Co-Director to lead the Nutrition Department promoting safety and sanitation while enhancing customer service. The Dietitian/Co-Director reports to the VP, Pt. Care Services and receives regular clinical supervision from a Registered Dietitian. S/he also maintains an informal reporting relationship with the CEO/CNO and functions as a resource and liaison with Nursing, Medicine and Pharmacy in his/her area of expertise. Perform any duties and/or responsibilities assigned by Manager or supervisor for which qualified.

Responsibilities:

• Identifies educational needs for the areas under supervision.
• Researches and develops appropriate programs.
• Updates patient teaching materials and assures they are appropriate.
• Ensures that clients and/or personnel demonstrate understanding.
• Visits clients in assigned areas on a routine basis.
• Maintains all age specific competencies.
• Develops policies and procedures that are clearly written.
• Recommends or institutes change in techniques or procedures for more efficient operation.
• Provides access to in-services and continuing education for dietary personnel.
• Addresses client problems.
• Calculates and interprets diets for clients in assigned areas.
• Fills diet orders accurately.
• Evaluates client's readiness to learn diet principles.
• Provides Food Drug Interaction Education per Dietary policy.
• Writes chart notes in a clear and appropriate manner.
• Ensures medical record is complete and up to date by documenting all nutrition/diet counseling, including diet consults and Food Drug Interaction Education.
• Attends team conferences in assigned area as requested.
• Orients and reviews the work of Consultant Dietitian providing vacation coverage.
• Assures accuracy of all work.
• PI studies reflect a high quality of work.
• Does Nutrition Assessment within 72 hours of order being written.
• Monitors high-risk clients as needed.
• Reviews nutrition screens done by Nurse Practitioner to determine appropriate application.
• Reports PI results of Food Drug Interaction Monitoring and Education quarterly to Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee.
• Completes and submits Performance Improvement reports in a timely manner.
• Complies with attendance policies.
• Demonstrates ethical behavior at all times.
• Uses time and resources appropriately.
• Makes use of discretionary time in a constructive manner.
• Participates in and evaluates Annual Customer Survey.
• Actively supports and develops the enhancement of customer service and employee relations.
• Prepares annual budget and reviews monthly budget reports.
• Prepares variance reports with Co-Manager.
• Plans and reviews 4-week menu cycle with Co-Manager, ensuring balance and variety while promoting healthy food choices.
• Participates in vendor contract negotiations with Co- Manager.
• Promotes safety and sanitation standards for the department.
• Assist in maintaining a work environment free from recognized hazards that create a risk of injury to employees, patients or visitors and that all accidents and incidents are reported by employees and properly investigated.
• When appropriate, assist with the return of all workers with work related injuries and illnesses to gainful employment.
• Attends meetings as assigned including monthly Department Head meetings.
• Track and enter cost transfer dollar amounts for catering and floor stock in Excel spread sheet.
• Send to Accounting monthly Track and enter patient meal counts in Excel spread sheet and send to Accounting monthly
• Enter customer count numbers from daily cash ups into Excel spread sheet and send to Accounting monthly.
• Complete daily cash ups in Food Service Manager's absence
• Complete biweekly payroll in Food Service Manager's absence
• Complete food/supply orders in Food Service Manager's absence
• Enter catered events into Catering Schedule.
• Print weekly catering reports
• Participate in monthly Nutrition Affinity Group with system Dietitians
• Complete annual evaluations for Nutrition Services Supervisor and Nutrition aides as assigned
• Review Nutrition Services policies annually.
• Update policies as needed
• Update/print weekly menus for cafeteria, calorie content and other special diets as needed.
• Update pricing on menus when indicated.

Other Information:

Competencies and Skills

• 2+ years of relative work experience required.Must be a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and have at least two years of hospital or other clinical experience.
• 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.
• Demonstrates Adaptability: Learns quickly when facing a new problem or unfamiliar task; is flexible in their approach with changing priorities and ambiguity. Manages change effectively and does not give up during adversity. Capable of changing one's behavioral style and/or views in order to attain a goal. Absorbs new information readily and puts it into practice effectively.
• Effectively Communicates: Listens, speaks and writes appropriately, using clear language. Communication methods are fitting to the message(s), audience, and situation and follow-ups are regular and timely. Shows that important (non-) verbal information is absorbed and understood and asks further questions to clarify when necessary. Expresses ideas and views clearly to others and has ability to adjust use of language to the audiences' level.
• 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.
• Utilizes Resources Effectively: Understands how to get the most out of available resources and uses cost-benefit thinking in decision-making and in setting priorities. Monitors and analyzes resource usage to identify and eliminate areas of waste and maximize resources. As a leader, defines targets and provides appropriate means; oversees progress and makes adjustments when necessary. Appropriately delegates work, sets clear direction and manages workflow and time.

Credentials

• Required Dietitian

Education

• Required Bachelor's Degree

Working Conditions

• Potential exposure to abusive and/or aggressive people.
• Work with computers, typing, reading or writing.
• Lifting, moving and loading 20 to 30 pounds.
• Prolonged periods of sitting.

Northern Light Acadia Hospital is a broad behavioral health delivery system centrally managed from its location in Bangor, Maine. Acadia Hospital is a leader in providing comprehensive inpatient and outpatient services, tele-psychiatry, consultations to regional emergency departments, school-based and employer-based services, and integration into primary and specialty care practices. Northern Light Acadia Hospital offers innovative programming in the form of eating disorder services and a geriatric mood and memory clinic, which is involved in multiple clinical trials for promising Alzheimer's medications. The hospital is also the parent organization of Northern Light Acadia Healthcare which provides a substance use disorder treatment program, case management, and other outpatient mental health services serving patients from all corners of Maine. Acadia Hospital embraces service excellence and high quality care as evidenced by its commitment to achieve Center of Excellence status in the delivery of behavioral health services.

Northern Light Acadia Hospital is a member of Northern Light Health, an integrated statewide health delivery system that is raising the bar with no-nonsense solutions that are leading the way to a healthier future for our state. Northern Light Health offers a broad range of providers and services, including ten hospitals, primary care and specialty physician practices, long-term care, home health and hospice agencies, and emergency ground and air transport.

Bangor, Maine is a vibrant small city with easy access to Maine's spectacular coast, mountains, and lakes. Schools rank among New England's best with the flagship campus of the University of Maine located in the neighboring town of Orono. Bangor serves as the regional hub for medicine, the arts, and commerce. Bangor International Airport offers direct and one-stop service to many major destinations.

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