Clinical Dietitian
Perley Health is a unique and innovative community that empowers Seniors and Veterans to live life to the fullest. Home to more than 600 Seniors and Veterans in long-term care and in independent apartments, Perley Health provides a growing number of clinical, therapeutic and recreational services to residents, tenants and people from across the region.
One of the largest and most progressive long-term care homes in Ontario, Perley Health is also a centre for research, education, and clinical innovation. Our Centre of Excellence in Frailty-Informed Care conducts and shares the practical research needed to improve care. Future caregivers come here to study and to acquire hands-on skills and experience.
Perley Health's values are brought to life each day by our over 800 employees. And more than 400 regular volunteers connect us closely with the community. Together, we improve the well-being of Canada's aging population.
We are embarking on a multi-year growth strategy, and are seeking an experienced:
Clinical Dietitian
Full-Time;
Summary:
Reporting in to the Manager, Food and Nutrition/Housekeeping, the Clinical Dietitian role involves conducting comprehensive nutritional assessments for residents upon admission, developing personalized care plans, and continuously monitoring and adjusting nutritional strategies to meet individual needs and preferences.
The Clinical Dietitian also encompasses a broad spectrum of responsibilities including quality assurance, menu planning, nutritional counseling and education, and collaboration with a multidisciplinary team to ensure optimal resident care and compliance with dietary standards.
Duties & Responsibilities:
Nutritional and Dietary Assessment
- Completes screening and assessment upon admission to identify nutritionally high-risk residents for more comprehensive nutrition assessment.
- Completes care plans in Point Click Care for nutrition-related issues and inputs RAI as per designated time guidelines for admissions.
- Delegates follow-up care plans, education, and documentation to Food Service Supervisors for residents who are at low or medium-risk nutritionally.
- Formulates and implements nutritional care plans that adapt to residents' likes/dislikes, lifestyle, specific health needs, etc.
- Monitors and reassesses the effectiveness of nutritional care, resident tolerance, and nutritional status on an ongoing basis.
- Completes quarterly assessments for moderate to high-risk residents, documents any changes in the care plan, completes RAI quarterly assessments, and documents in the chart.
- Establishes new goals and implements new plans of action if new nutritional problems are identified.
- Performs meal rounds to obtain feedback from residents to assess nutritional intake and swallowing difficulties.
- Reviews and maintains therapeutic menus for menu changes, diet changes, or special holiday menus.
Administrative and Budgetary Requirements
- Communicates problems and progress to Manager when appropriate.
- Assists with menu planning and revision.
Quality Assurance Activities
- Performs quality assurance activities as directed, including:
- Conducting resident meal satisfaction surveys.
- Monitoring resident food selection.
- Assessing resident nourishment and supplement use.
- Evaluating nourishment distribution and acceptance.
- Ensures corrective action is taken as necessary.
Counselling and Education
- Provides nutrition counseling, which includes:
- Teaching normal and therapeutic nutrition to residents, their family members, and all disciplines assisting with feeding.
- Encouraging residents and family members to change food habits to comply with dietary restrictions.
- Offers clinical guidance to:
- Food Service Supervisors.
- Clerical Staff.
- Food & Nutrition Aides (in Unit Kitchens) on making alterations to residents' diets/menus.
- Provides instruction on Clinical Dietitian duties to:
- Dietetic interns.
- Shares information on nutrition matters with staff members and during National Nutrition Month, as time permits.
Other Related Duties
- Committee/Community Liaison and Professional Development
- Complies with Codes of Ethics and Rules of Conduct of Dietitians of Canada.
Education & Experience:
- Certification or Degree from an accredited Dietetic Internship Program.
- Member of the College of Dietitians of Ontario.
Skills & Competencies:
- Excellent interpersonal skills required to communicate with staff, residents, resident family members.
- Ability to teach and exercise professional judgement.
- Ability to adapt to a constantly changing environment.
- Working experience with:
- Word processing
- Windows 95 Microsoft Office
- Computrition Software
- Point Click software or other food service/dietary software program
- Knowledge of geriatrics, particularly regarding:
- The aging process and its effect on nutritional status
- Understanding of basic nutrition and therapeutic diets, including:
- The role of nutrition in the prevention and treatment of disease
Please forward your resume and cover letter, outlining your background and experience with each key responsibility to be considered for the role.
We thank all candidates for applying; however only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls please.
For candidates selected for consideration, Perley Health, upon request, will make reasonable accommodation for any disability-related needs with respect to the recruitment process and materials.