REGISTERED DIETITIAN (SAFETY) Highland

This class is distinguished from the Registered Dietitian by the custody requirements imposed by the criminal nature of the forensic client or patient, and the security features of the facility.

Under direction, incumbents complete nutrition assessments; assist and advise clinical personnel on special nutrition needs; plan dietary intervention and strategies; attend interdisciplinary team conferences; monitor and document nutritional needs and goals; may accept or transmit verbal or electronically transmitted orders from physicians consistent with an established protocol to implement medical nutrition therapy; order medical laboratory tests related to medical nutrition therapy within established protocols; interpret prescription diets; plan regular and special therapeutic diets; establish menus and recipes for use by food production personnel; authorize substitution or modification of diets; assist in the selection of dietary staff; plan and conduct training programs for facility staff, clients, patients, and others; and adhere to food safety and infection control standards.

May participate in committees relating to nutrition, food service, bioethics, performance improvement/quality assurance, and other issues; review the professional work of dietetic interns, Pre-Registered Dietitians, and Dietetic Technicians; and comply with relevant legal and professional requirements.

Apply strategies for the prevention and management of assaultive behavior; promote a safe and secure work environment through effective communication; maintain professional client or patient staff relationship; and identify safety/security hazards and contraband control.

Assist staff in the counting, distribution, and accounting for all utensils to prevent their use as weapons; inspecting facility to identify security breaches that could lead to forensic client or patient escape; and observing and intervening in forensic client or patient behavior that may signal an impending escape attempt.

Education: Equivalent to graduation from college with a major in dietetics or institutional management from a coordinated undergraduate dietetic program or a formalized post baccalaureate education program approved by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics and verification of application to take the registered dietitian examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Martin Rivera