Northern Light Mercy Hospital
Department: Clinical Dietitians
Position is located: Mercy Fore River
Work Type: Part Time Ineligible
Hours Per Week: 8.00
Work Schedule: 10:30 AM to 7:00 PM
Summary:
Under the supervision of the Manager of Clinical Nutrition and the daily direction of the Clinical Dietitians and Technicians, the Nutrition Care Associate is responsible for the nutritional care of all infant through geriatric inpatients. Duties include accurate and timely order entry using an electronic ordering system, answering patient calls in the call center, patient visitation, menu collection, and menu selection assistance. Duties may also include preparation and delivery of nourishments and enteral formulas as well as
producing reports for patient meal service. The incumbent performs duties and tasks in accordance with performance standards established for the job. The incumbent may have access to highly confidential patient, employee and/or proprietary information, and must handle and protect the information in accordance with hospital and system policies, HIPAA requirements and the highest level of ethical standards. The incumbent is responsible for reporting all security events, potential events, or other security risks to the
organization.The incumbent is responsible for participation in and completion of all patient safety initiatives appropriate to the position and conducts all job responsibilities according to the Mission and Values of the Hospital.
Responsibilities:
1. Technical
Skills: The Nutrition Care Associate is able to perform the technical
responsibilities according to department standards and guidelines.
• Call
center coverage
• Accesses
Cerner, Computrtition and Cisco Room Service Agent
• Answers
calls for Room Service patients admitted to the Fore River and State Street.
• Takes
patient meal orders and enters the orders into Computrition.
• Prints
reports for production and meal tallies
• Faxes
reports to the units as needed
• Reviews
any questions regarding special diets or requests with dietetic technician or
clinical dietitian.
• Tube
feeding and nourishment preparation/delivery/billing.
• Prepare
and deliver all enteral feeding products.
• Works
with dietetic technicians and dietitians to enter nourishments into the
computer system.
• Quality
Assurance
• Participates
in QA/QI initiatives of department.
• Teamwork
with diet office/food service staff.
• Establishes
a sense of team work with food service staff to ensure quality nutritional care
is provided to patients.
• Works
collaboratively with dietetic technicians and dietitians to carry out nutrition
care plan from menu collection, to preparation and delivery of patient
nourishments.
• Other
duties as outlined on the “Timeline for Room Service”
2. Response
to service demands: The Nutrition Care Associate is able to work with minimal
direction and is able to reprioritize work as assigned to meet the demands of
patient care.
• Maintains
positive attitude in response to change.
• Adjusts
to changes needed and maintains productivity.
• Willing
to assist coworkers in balancing priorities
• Takes the
initiative to follow through on nutritional care plan and reviews with dietetic
technician or dietitian when questions arise
• Makes
suggestions to clinical staff to improve patient’s intake when they are not
taking meals or snacks.
3. Verbal
communications: The Nutrition Care Associate demonstrates the ability to
communicate effectively with individuals at all levels in the organization,
patients, visitors, etc.
• Demonstrates
the ability to effectively handle phone calls in the diet office.
• Utilizes
communication skills to resolve problems, listens and clarifies information to
seek positive solutions.
• Follows
up on information to maintain consistent patient care.
4. Group
collaboration: The Nutrition Care Associate collaborates with other members of
the clinical nutrition staff on nutritional care options.
• Demonstrates
the ability to make suggestions to improve patient care outcomes.
• Accepts
and respects the opinions of others.
5. Self-Development/Professional
Growth: The Nutrition Care Associate maintains current knowledge about the
nutritional care provided to patients.
• Attends
department meetings and in-services to keep up-to-date on changes that affect
their position. If unable to attend the
meeting, the minutes must be reviewed and signed within a reasonable time
frame.
6. Performs
additional duties as required or assigned.
Other Information:
Competencies and Skills
- Behaves with Integrity and Builds Trust: Acts consistently in line with the core values, commitments and rules of conduct. Leads by example and tells the truth. Does what they say they will, when and how they say they will, or communicates an alternate plan.
- Cultivates Respect: Treats others fairly, embraces and values differences, and contributes to a culture of belonging, empowerment, and cooperation.
- Fosters Accountability: Creates and participates in a work environment where people hold themselves and others accountable for processes, results and behaviors. Takes appropriate ownership not only of successes but also mistakes and works to correct them in a timely manner. Demonstrates understanding that we all work as a team and the quality and timeliness of work impacts everyone involved.
- Practices Compassion: Exhibits genuine care for people and is available and ready to help; displays a deep awareness of and strong willingness to relieve the suffering of others.
Education
- Required High School Diploma/General Educational Development (GED)
Working Conditions
- Work with computers, typing, reading or writing.
- Lifting, moving and loading 20 to 30 pounds.
- Prolonged periods of sitting.
- Prolonged periods of walking.
Portland, Maine, Catholic, Sisters of Mercy, Level 2 NeoNatal Nursery