Diet Clerk

Diet Clerk

The Diet Clerk is responsible for receiving, processing and managing patient diet orders, ensuring that meals are prepared in accordance with prescribed therapeutic diets and hospital dietary policies. This role serves as a critical link between nursing, dietary staff, and the nutrition services department by accurately entering diet orders, monitoring compliance, and communicating dietary changes or special instructions. The Diet Clerk supports patient care and safety by maintaining precise records, assisting with menu planning as needed, and contributing to a positive patient experience through timely and accurate meal service.

Qualifications: • High school diploma or GED equivalent required. AA, AAS, BA, or BS degree preferred. • Food Handler Certification from an approved OHA source required. • Credentials as a ServSafe Food Manager or Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) preferred. • Experience in a healthcare, institutional, or large-volume food service setting preferred. • Experience with therapeutic or modified diets (e.g., diabetic, low sodium, renal, pureed, etc.) preferred.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Interviews patients or family members to obtain diet histories and ensure dietary plans meet individual needs across all ethnicities, religions, cultures, and age groups, from pediatric to geriatric populations.
• Accurately enter and update patient diet orders, including special diets, allergies, and provider-prescribed modifications. Communicate dietary changes, special instructions, and patient needs to dietary staff and nursing units.
• Assist in planning, modifying, and implementing menu preparation, substitutions, or changes based on regular, modified, and special diet orders, ensuring compliance with dietary standards.
• Collaborate with Cooks and Food Service Workers to ensure timely and accurate patient tray line assembly and distribution to patients. Monitor and replenish floor stock orders.
• Monitor food temperatures during preparation, holding, and service to ensure compliance with food safety guidelines.
• Follow safe food handling and storage procedures to maintain compliance with hospital, state, and federal infection control regulations.
• Clean and sanitize work areas, utensils, work surfaces, storage areas, and equipment in accordance with hospital and health department standards, maintaining a clean and organized kitchen and dining environment.
• Maintain accurate diet records, calorie counts, menu modifications, procurement logs, and billing codes for budgetary and regulatory purposes.
• Assist with receiving, verifying, and documenting vendor orders, managing returns, and supporting the procurement of food and dietary supplies to ensure adequate inventory, quality, and compliance with hospital standards.
• Enhances the overall patient and customer experience by preparing and presenting high-quality meals that meet dietary requirements, supporting timely meal service, and demonstrating courtesy and professionalism to patients, staff, and visitors.
• Assists with coordinating staff schedules, reviewing and implementing departmental policies, and achieving departmental goals; assume responsibility for department operations in the absence of the Manager, Supervisor, and Clinical Dietitian.
• Flexibility to work various shifts, including weekends and holidays, to meet patient care needs; performs other duties as assigned.

Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of safe food handling, storage and sanitation practices.
• Knowledge of special diets (e.g., diabetic, low-sodium, renal, pureed, etc.) and ability to follow prescribed modifications.
• Strong attention to detail with accuracy in data and order entry to ensure adherence to dietary and safety standards.
• Ability to maintain records and manage time, including planning and organizing work to meet meal schedules and service demands.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment with Cooks, Food Services Workers, Diet Clerks, and other clinical personnel.
• Ability to follow infection control protocols, including proper personal and hand hygiene and use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Skilled in using computers and information management systems, including MS Office and nutrition management software, to enter and update patient diet information and communicate with interdisciplinary team members.
• Skilled in customer service, demonstrating courtesy, professionalism, and responsiveness to enhance the overall experience for patients, staff, and visitors.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

• Primarily sedentary work, with frequent periods of standing and walking to patient units or dietary areas.
• Occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling of light items (up to 25 pounds).
• Manual dexterity required for typing, filing, handling paperwork, and operating office equipment.
• Visual and auditory ability needed to accurately enter diet orders, read menus, and communicate effectively.
• Occasional exposure to blood, body fluids or tissue, communicable diseases, chemicals, including but not limited to sticks or cuts by needles and other sharp items. Employee eligible for Hepatitis B Vaccination if desired.
• Must be able to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.

Shift Details: 12-hour shifts currently, 0500-1800.

Compensation: $20.99-$28.94 DOE

Benefits:

• Health Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA and Health Savings Account (HSA) Options
• 401K Plan with Roth Options
• 401K 3% employer match and a 2% base non-elective employer contribution
• Eligibility for company-paid benefits such as life insurance and long-term disability, subject to applicable waiting periods
• Option to elect Supplemental employee, spouse, and child life insurance
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Access to the Employee Assistance Program
• Discounts: available for meals in the cafeteria and over-the-counter pharmacy items
• Exercise/Fitness Facility: access to the Rehab Therapy Fitness Center for the employee and dependents

Expectations for All Employees: Support the organization's mission, vision and values by adhering to the behavioral standards of Grande Ronde Hospital. Comply with all laws and regulations affecting Grande Ronde Hospital. Be familiar with and adhere to the Personnel Policy Manual and the Code of Conduct and support the Grande Ronde Hospital Compliance Program. Effective communication skills and the ability work effectively with people from various backgrounds are critical.

Mission: Grande Ronde Hospital and Clinics will ensure access to high quality, cost-effective health care in a safe and customer-friendly environment for all those in need of our services.

Vision: Quality health care is our mission. Patients are our passion.

Values: Creativity, Compassion, Collaboration, Credibility