Registered Dietitian

Taunton State Hospital (TSH) is seeking an experienced Registered Dietitian. The successful candidate plans, organizes, and directs the preparation of nutritional care to meet patients’ needs. The Registered Dietitian functions as a member of the multidisciplinary treatment team, assume responsibility for assessment for all admissions and nutritional counseling of assigned patients. Develops menus and meal plans, confers with food preparation and serving staff concerning menus, cleaning, and maintenance schedules. Monitors food served to patients, maintains compliance records. Performs related work as assigned.

Please Note: The incumbent will work 40 hours a week on the day shift from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. with flexibility to meet organizational need. Days off are Sunday and Saturday.

Duties and Responsibilities (these are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Completes nutrition assessments on 100% of Taunton State Hospital new admissions in accordance with protocol.
• Completes nutrition assessments annually and as requested or indicated based on patient needs.
• Provides individual nutrition education to patients when indicated by consult or nutrition assessment.
• Plans, conducts, and documents nutrition education groups regularly, including, but not limited to cooking groups.
• Actively participates in daily patient rounds.
• Participates in team meetings on an as needed basis.
• Conducts meal rounds to assess patient’s nutrient intake and menu acceptance.
• In conjunction with the Food Service Supervisors, develops menus in compliance with Massachusetts State Agency Food Standards and consistent with the Dietary Guidelines.
• Functions as a member of the multidisciplinary treatment team serving as a resource person regarding nutrition, diet, and the impact of food/nutrition/diet on mental and physical health and wellness.
• Develops therapeutic menus for Taunton State Hospital and as assigned.
• Participates in the development, management and revision of dietary policies, procedures, and protocols.
• Responsible for the Performance Improvement program for the dietary department, to include maintaining records and reporting regularly to the Performance Improvement Committee.
• Maintains records of diet orders, food allergies and individual food preferences.
• Maintains professional communication and an effective working relationship with Food Service Supervisors, Clinical Directors, leadership, providers, physicians and all other support staff.
• Attends assigned committee meetings, including (but not limited to) Performance Improvement, Clinical Leadership, and Senior Management.
• Participates in mandatory in-service teaching, including Infection control.
• Identifies learning needs and goals and designs a plan to meet them.
• Maintains necessary clinical skills through self-directed clinical practice and acts as a clinical resource person for patients and personnel related to patients’ nutritional needs.
• Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide nutritional care appropriate to the age related, spiritual, and cultural needs of the clients served.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Extensive Knowledge of materials, procedures and methods used in the ordering, planning, preparation and serving of quality foods.
• Extensive knowledge of nutritive food values and their functions in the problems for health and disease.
• Thorough Knowledge of food values and Therapeutic Diets
• Thorough Knowledge of Menu preparation.
• Working knowledge of medical terminology applicable to nutritional care.
• Considerable ability in the planning, preparing, and serving quality goods and working with patients.
• Ability to provide for emergency feeding as needed.
• Ability to write policies, procedures, and protocols relating to all areas of the Dietary Department.
• Knowledge of Quality Assurance standards and ability to write and implement quality assurance criteria as relates to the Dietary Department.
• Knowledge of community nutrition and applications in the mental health setting, group living setting, day treatment setting and outpatient clinical care practices for Mental Health clients.
• Ability to plan special events, parties, as part of treatment programs, in conjunction with other departments such as Occupational therapy/ Rehabilitation, and Activities.

License and/or Certification Requirements:

• Current and valid Massachusetts license as a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist.

About Taunton State Hospital:

Taunton State Hospital (TSH) operated by the Department of Mental Health (DMH) is a 62-bed inpatient facility that provides continuing care inpatient services to adults with major mental illnesses. The hospital is a leader in the successful integration of the Principles of Recovery and a rehabilitation philosophy into the treatment model and a part of the Southeast Area which works closely with the inpatient treatment teams to facilitate patients’ discharge back to the community.

DMH Vision and Mission:

The Department of Mental Health, as the State Mental Health Authority, assures and provides access to services and supports to meet the mental health needs of individuals of all ages, enabling them to live, work and participate in their communities. The Department establishes standards to ensure effective and culturally competent care to promote recovery. The Department sets policy, promotes self-determination, protects human rights, and supports mental health training and research. This critical mission is accomplished by working in partnership with other state agencies, individuals, families, providers, and communities.

Pre-Hire Process:

A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori.

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines.

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website.

ADA Reasonable Accommodation: