Diet Technician

Main Function

To assist the Registered Dietitian (RD), in implementing diet orders, interviewing residents and/or families for food preferences. Completing low risk nutritional assessments and attending team conference meetings with residents and families.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Able to work independently at the direction of the RD and efficiently to ensure timely assessments are completed.
• Follows the Standards of Nutritional Care to complete low risk nutritional assessments and episodic nutrition notes. Complete assessments utilizing the ADIME format and update resident careplans using PES format. Nutritional charting and careplans will be done via the electronic medical record (EMR) using Point Click Care(PCC) system. The diet tech will utilize their completed nutritional assessment to complete the MDS based on the MDS schedule.
• Absorb and follow the directions of the RD to complete nutritional assessments and conduct in-person interviews for residents.
• Utilize the Mealtime Solutions in PCC to input new resident information, preferences and diet changes.
• Review menu extensions weekly, compare to the posted menu and report discrepancies to the RD.
• Works with the Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) to inform them of nutritional changes that may need a referral to another department for optimal care.
• Attends Patient Care meetings (Team Conference), based on the weekly schedule.
• Complete Quality of life notes, based on the weekly schedule as directed by the RD.
• Assist the RD in identifying residents that are at risk for malnutrition, meet criteria for malnutrition or are morbidly obese.
• Attend morning report with the IDT, report any episodic nutritional concerns to RD to be addressed.
• Provide diet education as needed with residents and families.
• Conduct meal round audits and tray assessments as scheduled. Also assist the RD in completing Quality Assurance audits as scheduled.
• If a Dietetic Technician Registered (DTR), or a Registered Dietitian (RD), complete continuing education hours and keeps and up to date portfolio to stay compliant with the Commission on Dietetic Registration.

Experience and Education

• Required:
• - Associate’s degree in nutrition or dietetics
• - Experience working with a Registered Dietitian
• Preferred:
• - Bachelor’s degree in nutrition or dietetics
• - Experience working in a senior living facility