San Benito Health Care District

Job Summary:

Directs activities of department, providing quality food service and nutritional care for the patient population, visitors, guests and hospital staff. Administers, plans and directs activities of department providing food service. Establishes policies and procedures, and provides administrative direction of menu formulation, food preparation and service, sanitation standards, safety practices. Coordinates interdepartmental professional activities, and acts as resource person to staff and management on matters pertaining to dietetics. Participates in CQI performance improvement activities and educates all staff members.

Duties/Responsibilities:

•    Determines quality and quantity of food required, plans and prepares master menus in coordination with the registered dietician, supervises the planning of menus for therapeutic diets and controls food costs.
•    Ensures food preparation for optimal nutrition (including attention to various age groups of patients) and economic handling of food, as well as efficient usage of time.
•    Checks food for flavor, temperature and appearance on a regular basis.
•    Performs all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors.
•    Makes frequent inspection of all work, storage and servicing areas to determine that regulations and directions governing dietetic activities are followed.
•    Develops and prepares policies and procedures governing handling and storage of supplies, equipment, sanitation and record-keeping and compiling of reports.
•    Reviews department performance and institutes changes in techniques or procedures to improve services, simplify work flow, assure compliance with regulatory requirements and promotes more efficient operation of the Nutritional Services Department.
•    Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to any age- related needs of the patients served.
•    Attends committee, CQI and management meetings as appropriate or directed.
•    Ensures compliance with policies and procedures regarding department operations, fire, safety and infection control. Maintains medical staff rules/requirements, as well as regulatory body standards.
•    Other duties as assigned. 

Required Skills/Abilities:

•    Works at maintaining a good rapport and a cooperative working relationship with physicians, health plans and staff.
•    Completes annual educational requirements.
•    Represents the organization in a positive and professional manner in the community.
•    Maintains patient confidentiality at all times.
•    Maintains regulatory requirements, including all state, federal and JCAHO regulations related to the Department, as appropriate, the hospital.
•    Communicates the Mission, Values, and Vision of the hospital, as well as the focus of the department.
•    Adheres to Hospital and Department dress code, appearance is neat and clean.
•    Complies with all organizational policies including but not limited to, policies regarding Ethical Business Practices, Harassment, Standards of Conduct, Attendance, and Safety.
•    Demonstrates competence in the performance of duties and responsibilities related to San Benito Health Care District Corporate Responsibility (Compliance) Program.
•    Additional languages preferred.
•    Basic computer knowledge.

Education and Experience:

•    Active and current registration with the Commission on Dietetic Registration.
•    Highly developed organizational skills.
•    Recent experience in managing the food services in an acute hospital.
•    Able to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.