Nutrition Assistant - Full Time - Days

Overview

At Houston Methodist, the Nutrition Assistant position is responsible for educating the patient on the dining services programs/process, is the initial point of contact for problem resolution and assures that information regarding the diet is accurate. This position is available to assist the patient with menu selection specific to their physician prescribed diet order, ensure timely meal/tray delivery and monitor feedback for improvement in selection and quality. The Nutrition Assistant position is responsible for correcting issues relayed from patients to appropriate staff and communicates with peers and management regarding identified hazards in the work place, following correct procedures in sanitation of work areas as appropriate. This position follows all department policies and procedures and complies with the local relevant Food Ordinances.

Houston Methodist Standard

PATIENT AGE GROUP(S) AND POPULATION(S) SERVEDRefer to departmental "Scope of Service" and "Provision of Care" plans, as applicable, for description of primary age groups and populations served by this job for the respective HM entity.

HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS

• Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:
  • INTEGRITY: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.
  • COMPASSION: We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs.
  • ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.
  • RESPECT: We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value.
  • EXCELLENCE: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.

• Practices the Caring and Serving Model

• Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards

• Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)

• Intentionally collaborates with other healthcare professionals involved in patients/customers or employees' experiential journeys to ensure strong communication, ease of access to information, and a seamless experience.

• Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job

• Displays cultural humility, diversity, equity and inclusion principles

• Actively supports the organization's vision, fulfills the mission and abides by the I CARE values

Responsibilities

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Greets patients, using their name whenever possible, and educates them on the dining services programs/process, specific to their physician prescribed diet order when available. Interacts in a positive, professional manner with patients, family and staff. Communicates clearly and professionally to nursing, interprofessional staff and peers to promote both work efforts and problem resolution.

• Serves as the first point of contact for all complaints involving patient Food Services. Follows through with resolving any problems and communicating to management when patient food service problems are identified.

• Communicates pertinent information, e.g., difficulty eating, poor appetite, nourishment concerns, formula usage, requests to see the Dietitian, etc., to ensure properly handling and processing of information.

• Conducts self in a manner that is congruent with cultural diversity, equity and inclusion principles. Contributes towards improvement of department scores for employee engagement, i.e. peer-to-peer accountability.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Assures that all new admits receives information regarding the operation of the dining services program and their prescribed diets. Assists and accommodates patients, as needed, with information regarding their diets, e.g. answering questions about their menu selections, placing their order using computerized software, meal ordering directions and problems, etc. Distributes tube feedings, nourishments/supplements, fruit baskets, birthday cakes, when ordered, to patients at the assigned times.

• Identifies menu items and describes every item on the menu, responding to inquiries regarding taste and ingredients, as appropriate.

• Checks the tray for accuracy and presentation prior to delivering to the patient. Secures any missing items or additional items requested by the patient at the time of delivery. Assists in plating food items on patients' trays during peak times, per team leader or management. Delivers trays and sets up accordingly.

• Accurately logs and tracks customer concerns on appropriate document. Utilizes appr