Lead Dietetic Technician

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We strongly encourage all candidates of diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply.

A Brief Overview
Consistently performs a variety of tasks related to nutrition care services for patients/clients, the preparation and delivery of formula and human milk, pasteurization of human milk and human milk inventory management. Demonstrates additional knowledge, skills, judgment, and experience related to practice and guides dietetic technician team by providing oversite of day to day tasks and ensures optimal flow of work.
Adheres to standards of food safety and sanitation; regulatory standards; departmental and hospital policies and procedures in the execution of assigned duties.

What you will do

• Patient Care
• Completes nutrition assessments of patients within scope of practice of Dietetic Technician-Registered based on screening and documentation guidelines.
• Implements and monitors nutritional interventions assigned by the RDN to meet the nutritional needs of patients
• Estimates nutritional intakes of patients. Calculates and documents calorie counts as requested. Assists RDs with data collection as needed.
• Identifies patients in need of in-depth assessment by RD and transfers care appropriately.
• Instructs patients (and/or families, as appropriate) on restricted/special diets or special formulas. Refers for outpatient follow-up as necessary.
• Is knowledgeable regarding nutritional content, sources, and use of commercial supplements, tube feeding, infant formula, and feeding modulars (fat, protein, carbohydrate, vitamins, and minerals).
• Inputs data from outpatient diet records on computer for analysis to be completed by outpatient dietitian. Maintain updates and enter new items in Food Processor.
• Provides nutrition and lactation education including assembly, cleaning and maintenance of breast pump equipment. and assists in the development of educational materials and other projects.
• Enteral Feeding Production and Human Milk Management
• Prepares, portions, delivers patient enteral feeding orders accurately and timely.
• Knowledgeable about human milk, formulas and additives used in infant, pediatric and adult patients.
• Practices with a questioning attitude and escalates concerns, issues or discrepancies regarding enteral feeding orders, faulty equipment and unsafe working conditions appropriately.
• Participates in maintenance of human milk inventory. Assists with human milk shipment and safe disposal as needed and adheres to standards with regard to transport and shipment of human milk.
• Adheres to applicable regulations, safety and infection prevention & control standards that govern enteral feeding preparation and human milk management
• Business Functions
• Participates in ongoing quality assurance and performance improvement activities as requested.
• Maintains productivity, screening and other documentation of activities as requested.
• Product inventory and management.
• Participates in training other employees as requested.
• Maintains confidentiality of patient information.
• Professional Development/Leadership
• Collaborates and communicates with other members of the healthcare team
• Participates in any department staff meetings and education programs as requested.
• Maintains competence and professional development. Maintains registration as required. Uses reference materials, trends in dietetics, enteral feeding best practice guidelines and research to enhance clinical knowledge.
• Performs other duties as requested.

Education Qualifications

• Associate's Degree Nutrition or related program by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Required
• Bachelor's Degree Nutrition or related program by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Preferred

Experience Qualifications

• At least six (6) months Prior experience related to formula and human milk preparation Required or
• At least six (6) months Prior experience related to nutrition/lactation education. Required or
• At least six (6) months prior experience in food services Required
• At least six (6) months In a hospital setting or WIC program Preferred
• At least six (6) months Prior work experience as an NDTR Preferred

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing to patients and families, public, medical staff and physicians. (Required proficiency)
• Demonstrates ability to lead by influence; consistently upholds CHOP leadership competencies, ICARE Values and service standards (Required proficiency)
• Must be able to read English with understanding and write English legibly. (Required proficiency)
• Basic knowledge and application of medical nutrition therapy in pediatric patients. (Preferred proficiency)
• Basic knowledge of nutrient analysis, word processing, and spreadsheet software. (Preferred proficiency)
• Competence in nutritional content, sources and use of commercial supplements, tube feedings, human milk, infant formulas and feeding modulars (fat, protein, carbohydrate, vitamins and minerals). (Preferred proficiency)
• Ability to perform increasingly complex mathematical calculations such as fractions, percentages, ratios, proportions and metric measures. (Required proficiency)
• Computer proficiency (Preferred proficiency)

Licenses and Certifications

• Dietetic Technician-Registered (DTR) - Commission on Dietetic Registration - within 9 months - Required and
• Serv Safe Certification (SSC) - Servsafe - - Preferred
• International Board Certification Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) - IBLCE - - Preferred
• Certified Lactation Consultant (CLC) - ALPP - - Preferred

To carry out its mission, CHOP is committed to supporting the health of our patients, families, workforce, and global community. As a condition of employment, CHOP employees who work in patient care buildings or who have patient facing responsibilities must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and receive an annual influenza vaccine. Learn more.

Employees may request exemptions for valid religious and medical reasons. Start dates may be delayed until candidates are immunized or exemption requests are reviewed.

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