Description

Job Summary  
Responsible for providing nutrition care and education to PACE of Southwest Michigan participants. Works under the direct supervision of the Center Manager or designee, but is independent in the application of advanced dietician knowledge and skills. This includes evaluating the participant’s nutritional status, develop and implement nutritional care plans, assess nutrient requirements, recommend nutritional prescriptions, evaluate participant tolerance and effectiveness of nutritional care, and communicate nutritional data to the physicians and other health professionals.

Education: Bachelor’s Degree from ADA accredited institution with a major in nutrition
Experience: One (1) year of experience in a clinical setting

Number/Type of Employees Supervised: None

Licensure, Registry, or Certification Required: ADA registered. Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) status preferred. Valid Michigan’s Driver’s License preferred. To improve efficiency and reduce fraud and abuse, a National Provider Identifier (NPI) number is required. CPR certification upon hire.

Special Training: Only acts within scope of practice. Meet a standardized set of orientation and/or individual competencies for the specific position description established by PACE of Southwest Michigan, and approved by CMS before working independently. 

Immunizations: Be medically cleared for communicable diseases and have all immunizations up to date before engaging in direct participant contact.

Specific Requirements and Considerations: May be subject to exposure and handling of infectious waste, diseases, conditions or hazardous chemicals, etc., including potential exposure to TB, AIDS, and/or Hepatitis B. 

Ages of Patients Rendered Care: Adult, Geriatric

Key Responsibilities

· Performs initial and periodic nutritional assessments and reassessments, identifies and develops specific plan of care as indicated by nutritional standards for PACE participants

· Provides nutrition education to participants/caregivers as ordered by a physician and according to ADA standards

· Provides nutrition education to staff and the community

· Works collaboratively with other team members implementing participant education

· Coordination of delivery with Food Service Provider

· Documents participant changes appropriately in the medical record and communicate participant changes to team members

· Assists in monitoring meals including intake, diet compliance and tray accuracy. Calculate data obtained from food intake and calorie counts as appropriate and makes recommendations for changes to appropriate staff

· Monitors sanitation of food preparation and kitchen area through planned and unannounced inspections of Food Service Provider.

· Oversees the PACE kitchen area to maintain sanitation and directs staff in the prevention of food borne illness policies

· Monitors daily meal census, ensuring correct meals are delivered daily by Food Service Provider

· Monitors verification of daily meal service with participant’s nutritional orders

· Works in partnership with the Food Service Provider to ensure that meals are nutritionally appropriate for participants 

· Participates in policy development of nutritional component of PACE of Southwest Michigan

· Participates as a member of the Interdisciplinary Team (IDT), attends meetings and takes part in participant care planning, and communicates any changes in participant condition to team members. 

· Active participation in Quality Improvement Process (QIP)

· Completes home visits when directed

· Abides by all established PACE of Southwest Michigan policies, rules and regulations

· All other duties as assigned

Requirements

Skills and Knowledge

· High level of autonomy is required while reporting to the Center Manager

· Excellent attention to details

· Excellent organizational skills

· Excellent verbal and written communication skills

· Ability to work a flexible work schedule

· Able to work within the IDT setting

· Knowledge of physical, mental and social needs of frail older adults

· Effective skills in physical assessment and chronic disease management for frail older adults

· Exceptional interpersonal skills

· Able to utilize computer skills in the workplace

PM20

Physical Demands

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

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to sit and use hands and fingers, handle or feel objects, tools or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee must be able to travel in all kinds of weather.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to frequently move up to 50 pounds and perform physical demands expected while providing medical care for an elderly population. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and the ability to focus.

Every effort has been made to identify the essential functions of this position. However, this in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you will be required to perform. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or is an essential function of the position.

 Please be aware that we require employees to pass a background check and drug screen. PACE of SWMI is a non-smoking facility.