Nutrition Assistant

JOB SUMMARY

The Nutrition Assistant supports the mission of providing quality healthcare to the patients of WhidbeyHealth Medical Center by partnering with clinical and non-clinical professionals to ensure the appropriate nutritional care is delivered to the patient. This position requires the highest level of customer service when interacting with patients, families, and staff acting as a liaison with all internal and external customers of the Food & Nutrition Svcs department and is expected to be a professional and personable representative of the organization. In addition to supporting the nutrition care provided to the patient, this position performs clerical functions and other duties as assigned that support the Food & Nutrition Svcs department, while maintaining regulatory compliance.

PRINCIPLE FUNCTIONS include the following, other duties may be assigned:

1. Maintains accurate physical records for each patient.
2. Communicates effectively with the Clinical Dietitian to ensure patient needs are met.
3. Prepares and delivers floor supplies to clinical departments and records deliveries.
4. Acts as a liaison and communicates with patients, patient care staff, and food service staff to ensure diet orders are timely and accurate and patients receive meals as ordered.
5. Prepares and assists with food tray preparation to include reading production orders on menus to determine items to place on tray and placing items, such as eating utensils, napkins, and condiments on trays.
6. Examines filled tray of completeness and places trays on carts in preparation for delivery.
7. Delivers food trays to hospital patients.
8. Notifies patient care staff of care issues that have not been addressed.
9. Collects and stacks dirty dishes on cart and returns cart to kitchen.
10. Records the amount and type of foods and liquids consumed for each patient on charts and documents all calorie counts.
11. Assists with tray assessments (i.e. temp, quality, quantity) one to three times a month.
12. Assists with Quality Assurance/Quality Control activities within Food & Nutrition Svcs.
13. Provides clerical support to the department such as ordering office supplies, menus, copying forms, and any other support as requested.
14. Follows all hospital and regulatory agency rules regarding food safety and physical safety.
15. May assist with training of new staff to the Food & Nutrition Svcs department. 
16. May be required to provide assistance with the Dietary Aide as needed to support department functions to include cafeteria service, cashiering/cash handling, and dish room duties.