Role Overview: Nutrition Care Assistant at WVU Medicine

WVU Medicine is seeking a dedicated and compassionate Nutrition Care Assistant to join our team at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, West Virginia. In this role, you will play a vital part in ensuring our patients receive the nourishment they need to recover and maintain their health. You will be responsible for providing direct patient meal service, maintaining cleanliness of nutrition centers, and delivering excellent customer service. This position requires a strong understanding of dietary restrictions, allergies, and food safety protocols.

A Day in the Life of a Nutrition Care Assistant

As a Nutrition Care Assistant, your day will be dynamic and focused on patient care. Here’s a glimpse into your daily routine:

• Meal Service: You'll start by visiting patients, either in person or via the hospitality center ordering system, to obtain their meal selections. You'll need to be knowledgeable about special diets and allergies to ensure accurate and appropriate orders.
• Order Processing: Using EPIC and VST systems, you'll process menu requests, ensuring all information is correctly entered and communicated to the kitchen staff.
• Tray Delivery: You'll deliver meal trays to patients, following strict guidelines for timeliness, hand sanitization, infection control, and patient identification.
• Patient Interaction: You'll interact with patients using AIDET (Acknowledge, Introduce, Duration, Explain, Thank You) to provide a positive and reassuring experience.
• Monitoring and Assistance: You'll monitor new patients to ensure they understand the room service process and provide assistance as needed. You will also be responsible for communicating clearly with tray line and production personnel regarding patient special requests.
• Nutrition Center Maintenance: You will maintain the cleanliness of nutrition centers in patient care areas, adhering to sanitation, safety, and quality control guidelines.
• Communication: You'll communicate with nursing staff regarding patient needs, dietary concerns, and any issues that arise during meal service.
• Additional tasks: You may be asked to deliver or retrieve meal trays as needed and will be responsible for documenting information required for ordered calorie counts.

Why Morgantown, West Virginia?

Morgantown, West Virginia, offers a unique blend of small-town charm and big-city amenities. Home to West Virginia University, Morgantown boasts a vibrant cultural scene, with numerous restaurants, shops, and entertainment options. The city is surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes, offering ample opportunities for outdoor recreation, including hiking, biking, and water sports. With a low cost of living and a friendly community, Morgantown is an excellent place to live and work.

Career Path for Nutrition Care Assistants at WVU Medicine

WVU Medicine is committed to the growth and development of its employees. As a Nutrition Care Assistant, you can advance your career through various pathways:

• Senior Nutrition Care Assistant: With experience and demonstrated excellence, you can move into a senior role, taking on additional responsibilities such as training new employees and overseeing daily operations.
• Dietary Technician: Further education and certification can lead to a role as a Dietary Technician, where you'll assist dietitians in planning and implementing patient meal plans.
• Clinical Dietitian: With a bachelor's degree in dietetics and completion of a dietetic internship, you can become a Registered Dietitian, providing comprehensive nutritional care to patients.
• Leadership Roles: WVU Medicine offers leadership opportunities for those interested in managing teams and departments within the nutrition services area.

Salary & Benefits

The salary for a Nutrition Care Assistant at WVU Medicine is competitive and commensurate with experience. WVU Medicine also offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Health Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Paid Time Off: Vacation, sick, and holidays
• Retirement Plan: With employer matching
• Life Insurance: Basic and supplemental options
• Disability Insurance: Short-term and long-term coverage
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential counseling and support services
• Tuition Reimbursement: For eligible education expenses
• Employee Discounts: On WVU Medicine services and other local businesses
• Wellness Programs: To support your health and well-being

WVU Medicine Culture

WVU Medicine is committed to creating a supportive and inclusive work environment. We value teamwork, respect, and patient-centered care. As a member of our team, you'll have the opportunity to collaborate with talented professionals and make a meaningful difference in the lives of our patients. We believe in fostering a culture of continuous learning and provide opportunities for professional growth and development.

How to Apply

To apply for the Nutrition Care Assistant position at WVU Medicine, please click the "Apply" button located at the top of this page. Complete the application in full, providing accurate and detailed information about your qualifications and experience. We look forward to reviewing your application!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What are the minimum qualifications for this position?

   You must have a valid Food Service Worker Permit (FSWP) from the Monongalia County Health Department (MCHD) or obtain a temporary permit upon hire and a permanent permit within one month. A high school diploma or equivalent is preferred.

2. What are the key responsibilities of a Nutrition Care Assistant?

   Key responsibilities include providing direct patient meal service, processing menu requests, delivering meal trays, maintaining cleanliness of nutrition centers, and communicating with patients and nursing staff.

3. What skills are important for this role?

   Important skills include customer service, dietary knowledge, attention to detail, communication, and the ability to follow instructions and procedures.

4. What is the work environment like at WVU Medicine?

   WVU Medicine is a supportive and collaborative environment that values teamwork, respect, and patient-centered care.

5. What opportunities for career advancement are available?

   Career advancement opportunities include roles such as Senior Nutrition Care Assistant, Dietary Technician, Clinical Dietitian, and leadership positions.

6. What benefits does WVU Medicine offer?

   WVU Medicine offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, paid time off, retirement plan, life insurance, disability insurance, and more.

7. How can I obtain a Food Service Worker Permit (FSWP)?

   You can obtain a FSWP from the Monongalia County Health Department (MCHD). WVU Medicine will provide information and support to help you obtain the necessary permit.

8. What is AIDET and why is it important?

   AIDET stands for Acknowledge, Introduce, Duration, Explain, and Thank You. It is a customer service framework used to provide a positive and reassuring experience for patients.

9. What is the dress code for Nutrition Care Assistants?

   The dress code typically involves wearing a uniform provided by WVU Medicine, along with closed-toe shoes. Specific details will be provided during the onboarding process.

10. How does WVU Medicine support employee well-being?

    WVU Medicine offers wellness programs, employee assistance programs (EAP), and resources to support the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of its employees.