The primary purpose of this position is to frequently consult with the The Retreat Manager of Nutrition Services to coordinate the nutritional care of residents at The Retreat. In collaboration with the Executive Director and Manager of Nutrition Services, this position also assists in allocating department resources in an efficient and economic manner to ensure each resident receives food in amount, type, consistency, and frequency to maintain usual body weight and nutritional values, while maintaining compliance with State and Federal requirements regarding assessments, care planning, and quality assurance standards.

Specific Duties

> Demonstrate competence in identification of nutrition needs and planning and implementation of nutrition programs.

> Maintain current knowledge of accepted nutritional standards and facility policies and procedures for Nutrition Services, apply these principles to resident and facility situations, and establish criteria to ensure that Nutrition Services meet established standards of quality.

> Maintain current knowledge of State and Federal laws and regulations, including relevant sanitation and safety codes that apply to Nutrition Services in long-term care facilities.

> Maintain sufficient knowledge and skill to provide professional nutrition counseling to residents, staff, and family members on matters of nutrition.

> Maintain sufficient knowledge of clinical practice, regulations, and principles of adult education to provide effective continuing education programs for food service personnel and nursing staff.

> Make prompt efforts to resolve all resident concerns or grievances related to Nutrition Services.

> Assess special nutritional needs of geriatric and physically impaired persons and complete and update dietary assessments as part of the comprehensive resident assessment process.

> In conjunction with the Nutrition Services Manager, develop therapeutic and regular diets to meet the specialized needs of geriatric and physically impaired persons; approve diets at facility.

> Interview residents, family members, legal representatives, and significant others to obtain and update information needed to develop individualized dietary plans of care and to accommodate individual needs and preferences to protect and promote residents’ rights.

> Record progress notes in the clinical record, including subjective findings, objective symptoms, observations of behavior, interventions provided to resident, and resident responses to dietary interventions; audit progress notes of Nutrition Services Manager and/or Assistant Manager, as needed.