DIETITIAN II - Grand Junction Regional Center (Western Slope)

Department Information

Grand Junction Regional Center (GJRC) is one of three Regional Centers. in Colorado that serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who have intensive needs.

GJRC, which dates back to 1919, has both Intermediate Care Facilities/Intellectual Developmental Disabilities (ICF/IDD) homes and Home and Community Based Services Waiver (HCBS Waiver) homes throughout the community. The center serves a diverse population, from people who have high abilities but are at high risk to themselves or others to people who have significant medical challenges.

Programs are individualized to meet varying needs. Services provided range from residential services and health services to mental health intervention. GJRC provides a day program, vocational and specialized habilitation, speech, occupational therapy, therapeutic recreation, and nutritional services.

Description of Job

About the Position

This position exists to provide dietetic services to people residing at the Grand Junction Regional Center. This position exists to ensure compliance with all State and Federal regulations relating to food and nutrition services. The position ensures that the medically and/or psychiatrically complex people receive appropriate diets to ensure their safety and well-being, along with honoring personal preferences and choices. The position is to also educate staff and people regarding healthy meal planning, preparation of meals, serving sizes, tracking of caloric intake, and safe food handling.

Primary Job Duties

Dietetic Services/ Nutritional Therapy: Analyzes clinical laboratory data and physicians' orders, reviews, and enters dietary data/information into the electronic health record (EHR). Provides data/information to multidisciplinary teams at least quarterly and annually. Oversees the GJRC program of monitoring and compliance for safe food temperatures. Uses evidence-based medical practices to complete individualized dietary care plans and assessments upon admission, quarterly, and annually.

Training/ Development of Procedures and Standard Operating Procedures: Acts as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for procedure and standard operating procedures through writing, training, and review for dietary and nutritional services that are based on the most current evidence-based practices and align with CDPHE, HCPF, and Health Department regulations. Develops learning and supports Individual Support Plan programs in the electronic health record (EHR) to support people to reach individualized goals identified upon admission, quarterly, and annually. Ongoing monitoring of learning and support programs, completing quarterly and annual record reviews.

Menu Planning and Purchasing: This position is responsible for overseeing the process of living site menu submission, review, follow-up, and approval. This position will develop menus specific to diagnoses associated with food consumption or the digestive system. This position will maintain an electronic tracking system of living site menus. Monitors International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative (IDDSI) menu books for relevance and updating.

Collaboration with Team Members: Actively participates in quarterly and annual person served meetings where diagnoses associated with food consumption or the digestive system are discussed. Communicates with interdisciplinary team members (IDT)/multidisciplinary team members (MDT) regarding dietary issues. Coordinates nutritional components of medical care with medical personnel.

Other Duties as Assigned

This position is 100% In-Person: You are required to work at your assigned work location during your scheduled work times. Hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Some evenings and weekends may be required. Specific shift assignment will be determined upon hire based on program needs. Please note: Work arrangements are subject to change at any time.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

• Five (5) years of relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position, such as nutrition-related services and direct care work.

OR

• A combination of related education and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position equal to five (5) years

• Must possess and maintain a current, valid, and unrestricted Registered Dietitian Nutritionist credential through the Commission on Dietetic Registration.

Conditions of Employment.

• Full Background Check - CDHS employees (all Direct contact with vulnerable persons): CBI name check and fingerprint check, ICON Colorado court database, Medicare fraud database, Reference Checks, Professional License verification (licensure requirements), Drug Screen, PREA (Division of Youth Services), Trails check (direct contact with children), CAPS (direct contact with adults – Mental Health Institutes, Regional Centers, Veterans Community Living Centers)
• This position requires State of Colorado residency at the time of application (unless otherwise identified in the posting), and residency within the state throughout the duration of employment in this position.
• Motor Vehicle Check , if the employee will drive a state-owned vehicle, either in an on-going capacity while performing their normal day-to-day job duties OR on occasion for training/meetings/client visits/etc..
• Must possess a valid, non-restricted Colorado Driver’s License or a non-restricted U.S. Driver's License for positions within 30 miles of the CO state border
• Out-of-State Driver’s License holders must obtain a valid, non-restricted Colorado Driver’s License within 30 days of employment start date.
• Shift Work - GJRC is a 24/7 facility, must be available to work any shift, any day, and/or any area, to meet the agency's needs.
• Travel – Position must travel between remote work sites and may be required to transport individuals. Must utilize a State vehicle, if available. If not, must utilize a personal vehicle and request mileage reimbursement. A state vehicle must be utilized when transporting individuals.
• Training – Must demonstrate the ability to lift 50 lbs., bend, kneel, squat, etc. and perform interventions proficiently throughout employment.
• Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must:
• Disclose that information on the application.
• Explain why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify you from the current position.
• Provide your employee number from your prior State employment. Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination and failure to provide this information will disqualify the applicant from future State employment with CDHS.

• Preferred Qualifications & Competencies:

  • Relevant years of state service experience.

A Human Resources Analyst will review the work experience/job duties sections of the online job application to determine whether your experience meets the minimum qualifications for the position. You must complete the official State of Colorado online application. Cover letters and resumes WILL NOT be reviewed during the minimum qualifications screening process. You must specifically document your work experience and qualifications in the application form. Do not use "see resume" or "see attached."

After minimum qualification screening, the comparative analysis process will involve reviewing and rating of all the information you submit. The comparative analysis step may also include your results from standardized testing.

If listed, answer all supplemental questions as your answers to these questions will be evaluated during this phase. Provide at least 4-8 sentences for each supplemental question.

Answer the supplemental questions completely and thoughtfully. We will rate your answers based on the content of your response and your writing skills (spelling, grammar, and clarity of your writing).

• 
  You or your representative must sign and submit the official appeal form for review.
• You can find the official appeal form here (Download PDF reader).
• You must be deliver the official appeal form to the State Personnel Board:
  • By email (dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us), or
  • Postmarked in US Mail to(1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203, or
  • Hand delivered (1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203), or
  • Faxed (303.866.5038) within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the department’s action.

• At (303) 866-3300, or
• Refer to the Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, within the Rules webpage.

Supplemental Information

• How to apply to the State of Colorado (Youtube Video, Runtime 3:59, Closed Captions Available)

• 
  The Assessment Process

• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits, including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus 401(k) and 457 plans
• Medical and dental health plans
• Employer-supplemented Health Savings Account
• Paid life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave
• State of Colorado Employee BenefitHub Resource Center
• Employee Wellness program
• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, training and more
• Remote work arrangements for eligible positions
• • Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

• We believe in a people-first approach: We prioritize the needs, well-being, and dignity of the individuals, families and communities we serve. We commit to respect, fairness and access in every decision, policy and interaction. We engage client voices and experiences in the development and implementation of the services we provide.
• Balance creates quality of life: We want our team to be resilient through a supportive workplace that values flexibility, health and wellness, and employee engagement.
• We hold ourselves accountable: We take responsibility through our actions, programs, and results for the state of health and human services in Colorado.
• Transparency matters: We are open and honest with employees, our partners, the Coloradans we serve, and the public.
• We are ethical: We abide by what is best for those we serve by doing what is right, not what is easy.
• Collaboration helps us rise together: We work together with all partners, employees, and clients to achieve the best outcomes for Coloradans.

CDHS is committed to a Colorado for ALL qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment.

The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer

We are committed to increasing a “Colorado for ALL" of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of all backgrounds and abilities. The State of Colorado believes that a “Colorado for ALL” drives our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.