Dietary Manager

Company Description

Align Treatment Center is an Adolescent Eating Disorder Residential Program that partners Clinicians and Caregivers in the battle against eating disorders. We are committed to utilizing Evidence-Based Treatments to effectively build motivation and coping skills for patients while empowering caregivers with the psychoeducation, tools, and support necessary to be more prepared to help their child when they return home. Our mission is to provide superior mental health services and serve as the model for creating an adolescent residential treatment center that unites patients, families, staff, PHP/IOP programs, and the community as a whole to join together and help those struggling with eating disorders.

Position Summary

The Dietary Manager consults with the Registered Dietitian to ensure the implementation of the best standard of nutrition and dietary services. Responsibilities include oversight and management of Patient Dietary Specialists, dietary administrative support, grocery budget allocation, resident menu planning, oversight of kitchen safety and sanitation, meal and snack preparation to include cooking/baking/assembly, and providing meal support for patients while modeling appropriate eating behaviors. This experience will prepare you to be a Registered Dietitian with hands-on experience, learning from dedicated professionals, and working closely with a complex population.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:

Kitchen Management:

• Work with the Director of Nutrition to manage the dietary budget.
• Management and development of direct reports (Patient Dietary Specialists) through onboarding and continued training.
• Collaborate with the Director of Nutrition to administer annual reviews, feedback, and disciplinary action (as needed) to direct reports.
• Create and manage kitchen staffing schedules.
• Monitor and approve staff time cards.
• Contributes, as an active part of the management team, towards problem-solving and inter-departmental policies and procedures.
  

Inventory & Stock Management:

• Oversee product inventory by tracking stock levels and conducting stock rotation.
• Facilitate ordering food and kitchen supplies, ensuring necessary items are always available.
• Monitor expiration dates and rotate stock to ensure the freshest ingredients are used.
  

Kitchen Maintenance & Sanitation:

• Oversee the cleanliness and stocking of the kitchen, ensuring all areas meet hygiene standards.
• Uphold proper sanitation requirements by scheduling staff for regular cleaning and sanitizing of kitchen equipment and surfaces.
• Ensure food safety protocols are followed, including proper storage, labeling, and handling of food.

Food Preparation:

• Assist in cooking and baking, following recipes provided by the Registered Dietitian.
• Prepare, portion, and serve meals and snacks in accordance with dietary plans and nutrition requirements.
• Follow therapeutic diets, portion control, and meal guidelines specific to residents' health needs.

Patient Meal Supervision:

• Monitor patients’ consumption to ensure they are following the appropriate dietary guidelines, such as the plate method.
• Enforce the dietary program while providing supportive care, using a balance of kindness, firmness, and redirection to encourage adherence to the program.
• Assist in challenging patients' eating disorders while maintaining a positive, therapeutic approach.
• Facilitate and model normalized eating behaviors during mealtimes.
• Collaborate with Patient Care Specialists to provide a safe, consistent, and supportive meal experience for residents.
• Documentation & Administrative Support:
• Maintain consistent and accurate documentation related to resident meals, dietary intake, and program compliance.
• Utilize electronic medical records for confidential and detailed documentation.
• Assist Registered Dietitian in the completion of weekly patient menus.

Patient Supervision & Care:

• Assist in the supervision of patients, ensuring safety and adherence to facility policies during mealtimes.
• Provide care support as needed, particularly in mealtime routines and dietary interventions.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to work inside a clean, well-lit, and well-ventilated medical facility. The employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers; handle or feel objects or tools. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The employee may be exposed to some hazards such as bodily fluids that may contain disease.

Additional Information

Align Treatment Center maintains a drug-free workplace and performs pre-employment substance abuse testing. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

Pay

$25 - $32 per hour, based on experience

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities)

1. Thorough knowledge of nutrition and dietary interventions in the mental health field.
2. Experience in providing dietary education.
3. Demonstrated understanding of the medical consequences of eating disorders, including the hazards of re-feeding and strategies to avoid complications.
4. Ability to develop and implement individualized menu plans for various types of eating disorders.
5. Competence in executing specific dietary menus based on portion sizes and caloric recommendations set by the Registered Dietitian.
6. Ability to maintain professional boundaries with both staff and residents.
7. Effective communication skills to ensure successful implementation of dietary programs across all staff.
8. The Dietary Manager must be actively pursuing a career in Nutrition, either through an Accredited Undergraduate Program in Nutrition or a Dietary Manager Certification Program.
9. Ability to provide documentation of or obtain a state-required food handler's permit or Serve Safe Certification upon hire.
10. Adherence to the All Foods Fit Model and the plate model as directed by the Registered Dietitian.
11. Must be able to eat a variety of foods with patients, unless medically contraindicated, ensuring that it does not interfere with treatment.
12. Must be 21 years or older with a clear driving record required.

Benefits

Full Time Benefits Package

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• 401(k) with match
• Life Insurance
• Short and Long Term Disability
• PTO
• Sick Leave

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