Duke University Hospital is consistently rated as one of the best in the United States and is known around the world for its outstanding care and groundbreaking research. Duke University Hospital has 957 inpatient beds and offers comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic facilities, including a regional emergency/trauma center; a major surgery suite containing 51 operating rooms; an endo-surgery center; an Ambulatory Surgery Center with nine operating rooms and an extensive diagnostic and interventional radiology area. In fiscal year 2018, Duke University Hospital admitted 42,916 patients and had 1,085,740 outpatient visits in fiscal year 2017.
U.S News & World Report named Duke University Hospital #1 in North Carolina and #1 in the Raleigh-Durham area in 2018-19.
Duke University Hospital is ranked in the top 20 nationally for seven adult specialties, including cardiology and heart surgery, nephrology, ophthalmology, orthopedics, pulmonology, rheumatology, and urology.
In addition to its hospitals, Duke Health has an extensive, geographically dispersed network of outpatient facilities that include primary care offices, urgent care centers, multi-specialty clinics and outpatient surgery centers.
General Description of the Job Class
Level I
The diet technician is responsible for the preparation and delivery of all infant/pediatric formula. Preparation techniques must adhere to all sanitary regulations and standards established by regulating agencies and the health care facility, which should include compliance with policies related to the institution's HACCP plan for enteral feedings.
Duties include (1) maintaining adequate supplies that meet patient needs; (2) operating all equipment needed to prepare formula for pediatric patients; (3) maintaining sanitation in the preparation room; (4) filing temperature records and formula orders; (5) securing the formula room; and (6) assisting with the training of ancillary personnel, as necessary. The diet technician assists the clinical dietitian with nutrition screening, data collection/entry, coordination of patient diet needs with food service, and the provision of technical functions in the implementation of nutrition care.
Level II
The dietetic technician, in addition to the responsibilities/duties of Level I, assists the clinical dietitian with direct clinical nutrition care in assigned inpatient and outpatient areas including family/patient diet education. Assumes leadership functions in the relationship with the department of Food Service and/or in the infant formula room.
Duties and Responsibilities of this Level
Level I
All work is performed under the supervision of a registered dietitian licensed in the state of North Carolina.
- Prepares and delivers all infant/pediatric formula as ordered.
- Verifies new or questionable pediatric formula orders with a registered dietitian (RD) for accuracy.
- Utilizes standardized recipes or special recipes prepared by RD as needed. Prepares pediatric formula accurately according to established written formulations, following pre-established formula preparation procedures and adhering to quality control standards.
- Uses correct technique to measure powders and liquids.
- Stores prepared infant formula properly until delivery to the patient area.
- Delivers prepared infant formula to patient area refrigerators.
- Uses clinical information system to update patient formula orders and to create/print labels and production lists.
- Completes daily batch records for prepared formulas.
- Maintains a daily log of refrigeration and freezer temperatures in the formula room.
- Removes unused, previously prepared formula from unit refrigerators and discards according to established protocol.
- Inventories and maintains sufficient pediatric formula lab stock.
- Completes daily tally or census sheets indicating formulas prepared.
- Prepares storeroom or purchasing requisition for all infant formula, glassware, bottles, and other supplies, as needed to maintain adequate supply levels.
- Orders products and supplies and notifies supervisor of any shortages.
- Orders pediatric formulas from materials management department and/or notifies administrative assistant and/or supervisor to order from an approved and reliable vendor.
- Checks expiration dates on products (returns short-date formula deliveries).
- Follows procedures for formula recalls at the direction of the supervisor.
- Maintains sanitation in preparation area.
- Cleans and sanitizes all work surfaces in the pediatric formula preparation room before and after each formula preparation per protocol.
- Cleans utensils, equipment, and storage areas used in the pediatric formula preparation room according to established procedures.
- Follows aseptic technique.
- Follows department and infection control policies regarding formula handling.
- Maintains daily appearance according to departmental guidelines.
- Checks equipment for proper operation and reports problems to the appropriate supervisor.
- Assists in training other employees in pediatric formula preparation and proper handling techniques, as needed.
- Communicates with patient care units regarding problems with formula orders, storage, or administration.
- Prepares monthly quality assurance report, production summaries, and stock invoices.
- Screens patients admitted to assigned units to determine nutrition risk.
- Identifies patients at high nutrition risk and refers them to the clinical dietitian as appropriate.
- Follows outlined nutrition screening guidelines and documents according to policy.
- Monitors nutritional status of patients who are NPO, according to policy.
- Records nutrient intake data and completes summary, according to policy.
- Records laboratory data, patient weight, and other data as requested by supervising clinical dietitian.
- Coordinates patient food service needs with food service associates and/or supervisors as needed.
- Provides administrative support for assigned team and department as requested.
- Creates an annual professional development plan in consultation with department leadership.
- Adheres to time and attendance policies. Uses time effectively; works well under pressure.
- Participates in improving work processes and facilitating change.
- Follows department/institutional safety standards.
- Works collaboratively with colleagues in clinical service unit teams and across the health system.
- Demonstrates concern and courtesy; treats all with dignity. Performs additional duties as assigned.
Level II
- Performs all duties of Level I Documents patient plan of care and education provided according to policy.
- Counsels patients and/or families about therapeutic diets. (e.g. but not limited to no concentrated sweets, low sodium, diet after ostomy, high protein/calorie, step I AHA)) Develops/updates education materials as needed.
- Participates in department and/or hospital/health system councils/committees with approval of department head.
- Assists in the education of students and interns and helps orient new employees.
Required Qualifications at this Level
Education
Level I Two years of education beyond high school graduation or two years of relevant experience in a hospital setting. Associates Degree in a biological science preferred.
Level II Associate's degree from a dietetic technician registered program approved by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetic Education of the American Dietetic Association. 450 hours clinical experience or completion of a Baccalaureate degree granted by a US regionally accredited college/university, or foreign equivalent, and completion of a Commission on Accreditation of Dietetics Education Didactic Program in Dietetics or Coordinated Program in Dietetics (CP).
Experience
Level I One year working in hospital setting, preferably in food and nutrition services role in addition to education and/or experience above.
Level II Two years of clinical experience preferred or combination of experience and/or education.
Degrees, Licensure, and/or Certification
Level I None required.
Level II Registration (DTR) by the Commission on Dietetic Registration.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Level I Knowledge of and familiarity with The American Dietetic Association Guidelines for the preparation of formula. Closely follow policies and procedures. Ability to work independently, with limited direct daily supervision. Work in close collaboration with pediatric dietitians.
Level II Same as level I plus demonstrated ability to successfully work with individuals of varying personalities to meet common goals (including professional staff). Basic knowledge of disease processes and nutrition care for patients in designated area. Ability to counsel patients and/or families about therapeutic/modified diets.
Knowledge of the food service department method of operation and familiarity with its leadership
Knowledge of and familiarity with The American Dietetic Association Guidelines for the preparation of formula
Distinguishing Characteristics of this Level
N/A
Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.
Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.
Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essentialjob functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.
