Dietitian - Level I

About the Role

This class of positions encompasses work of varying degrees of difficulty and responsibility in the operation of a Dietary Department. Under supervision, provides dietary care in a Dietary Department at Harlem Hospital Center, a bedrock of the Harlem community since 1887. The hospital offers a wide range of medical, surgical, diagnostic, therapeutic, and family support services to residents of Central Harlem, West Harlem, Washington Heights, and Inwood.

At NYC Health + Hospitals, the mission is to deliver high-quality health services without exception. Every employee exemplifies the ICARE values: Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence through empathic communication and partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Makes nutritional assessments and interviews clients and/or their families to obtain history of food habits and preferences.
• Explains diet to clients and/or their families and monitors reaction to diet.
• Interprets laboratory, physical, and social data in medical records.
• Monitors clients for and evaluates food/drug interactions.
• Consults physicians about appropriate menu modifications.
• Assists with preparation of nutritional analysis of general and therapeutic cycle menus.
• Prepares client nutritional care plans and directs service of client diets.
• Interacts with food service managers in the preparation of food, as indicated by master menu, standard recipes, and census requirements.
• May inspect kitchen areas to ensure proper standards in food preparation, cooking, and serving, and checks the quality, quantity, appearance, temperature, and palatability of food.
• May instruct and supervise staff working in kitchens, cafeterias, and dining rooms to ensure maintenance of premises and equipment in good sanitary condition.
• Participates in testing new recipes and reports results for possible inclusion in the department recipe manual.
• Counsels clients and/or their families in the preparation of special therapeutic or modified diets at home.
• Maintains records and writes reports, including nutritional assessments, nutritional care and discharge plans, and records nutritional data in medical records.
• Supervises the receipt, storage, and distribution of food and other supplies.
• Participates in nutritional training of field placement students.
• Participates in rounds with the patient healthcare team.
• Directs service of patient diets and instructs and supervises cooks and cook’s helpers in the preparation and distribution of food, as indicated by master menu, standard recipes, census, and portion control requirements.
• Maintains liaison with community organizations relating to nutrition education and/or information; may participate in nutritional community health fairs.

Requirements

• Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, with a major in Dietetics or Foods and Nutrition in a program approved by the American Dietetic Association (ADA).
• Registration or eligibility for registration by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) as a Registered Dietitian or New York State Certification as a Dietitian-Nutritionist.

Special Note for Dietitians assigned to Post-Acute Care (Long-Term Care) facility: Under the Medicare and Medicaid Programs, all newly-hired Dietitians assigned to a Post-Acute Care (Long-Term Care) facility are required to have New York State Certification, issued by the New York State Education Department (NYSED), as a Dietitian-Nutritionist at the time of hire. Dietitians hired prior to November 28, 2016, are required to obtain this certification on or before November 28, 2021.