Dietetics Series

California State Personnel Board Specification

SALARY INFORMATION

Description of Series

This classification series describes four levels of dietetic classifications. Incumbents in this classification series are responsible for the provision of medical nutrition therapy to patients/residents/clients or inmates in a State facility, residential or community setting; the supervision and coordination of food service and dietary activities; participating as a member of the interdisciplinary team; and performing other related work.

Typical Tasks

Pre-Registered Dietitian

The Pre-Registered Dietitian is a temporary appointment classification used for recruitment of professional dietitians. All appointments in this class are made on a temporary basis and are not to exceed nine months.

Under direct supervision of a Registered Dietitian, incumbents assist in the development and implementation of medical nutrition therapy; gather information on individuals' nutritional history; assess, document, and record nutritional needs; interpret prescription diets; and assist in establishing menus and recipes for use by food production personnel.

Registered Dietitian

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, Dietetic Technicians, and comply with relevant legal and professional requirements.

Registered Dietitian (Safety)

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.

Registered Dietitian, Correctional Facility

Under direction, incumbents provide diet instructions for inmates on special diets; 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.

Maintain order and supervise the conduct of persons committed to a State correctional facility; prevent escape and injury by these persons to themselves, others, or to property; maintain security of working areas and work materials; inspect premises and search inmates for contraband, such as weapons or illegal drugs; protect and maintain the safety of persons and property.

Dietetics Assistant Director

Under direction, incumbents assist in the general operation of food service and dietary activities in a State facility, residential or community setting; have specific assigned responsibilities in the area of clinical or administrative dietetic practice; and do other related work.

Clinical: Supervise and coordinate activities of clinical dietitians in the provision of nutritional care of the resident population; assist in the establishment and implementation of policies and procedures dealing with nutritional screening and assessment; provide for the nutritional education of the resident population and employees; serve as liaison between the medical staff, clinical director and program management in matters dealing with clinical dietetic practice; train and evaluate performance of assigned staff; and serve as relief for Dietetics Director.

Administrative: Assist in the supervision of production and presentation functions of dietetic services; orientation and training of personnel; assist in the ordering of food and supplies; evaluate food acceptance; write and update menus; assist in budget planning for food, supplies, equipment and personnel; evaluate performance of employees; and serve as relief for Dietetics Director.

Dietetics Director

Under general direction, incumbents plan, organize and direct all clinical and administrative food service and dietary activities in a State facility, residential or community setting; establish and maintain facility policies and procedures that meet legal and accreditation criteria regarding food service department production, presentation and clinical sanitation; security, and safety; estimate food and supply needs on a timely basis; determine equipment needs; prepare budget requests; audit and review the food service cost accounting system and inventory to ensure economical expenditures and proper controls; requisition food from contract vendors or by direct purchase when necessary; plan delivery schedule for food and supplies; evaluate new products; supervise the receiving, inspecting, storing, and inventory of food and other supplies; evaluate vendor performance; maintain and analyze food cost control records to determine improved methods for purchasing and utilizing food, supplies and equipment; develop and review menu patterns and evaluate acceptance by residents; consult with and advise clinical managers and facility administration on matters relating to dietetics and food service; select and train staff, evaluate their performance, and take or recommend appropriate action; plan and conduct in-service training programs for food service staff; dictate correspondence; prepare reports; and do other related work.

Minimum Qualifications

Pre-Registered Dietitian

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.

Registered Dietitian

Registered Dietitian (Safety)

Registered Dietitian, Correctional Facility

Registered Dietitian or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. (Applicants with proof of eligibility to apply for registration will be admitted to the examination but must become registered to be eligible for appointment.)

Dietetics Assistant Director

Registered Dietitian or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. (Applicants who are eligible to apply for registration will be admitted to the examination but must become registered to be eligible for appointment.), and

Either I

One year of experience in California state service performing the duties of a classification with a level of responsibility equivalent to Registered Dietitian; or

II

Experience: One year of clinical or administrative experience in dietetic practice.

Dietetics Director

Registered Dietitian or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. (Applicants who are eligible to apply for registration will be admitted to the examination but must become registered to be eligible for appointment.), and

Either I

One year of experience in California state service performing the duties of a classification with a level of responsibility equivalent to Dietetics Assistant Director; or

II

Two years of experience in California state service performing the duties of a classification with a level of responsibility equivalent to Registered Dietitian; or

III

Experience: Two years of experience in food service administration as a supervisor in the food service department of a hospital, school or similar facility. (A master's degree in dietetics or food service administration may be substituted for one year of the required experience.)

Knowledge and Abilities

Pre-Registered Dietitian

Registered Dietitian

Registered Dietitian (Safety)

Registered Dietitian, Correctional Facility

Knowledge of: Principles, practices, and theories of nutrition and dietetics, including medical nutrition therapy; methods of planning, preparing, and serving food to a large number of persons; and the special dietary requirements of mentally or developmentally disabled persons, pediatric and geriatric populations, and other patient/resident/client/inmate groups.

Ability to: Apply the principles and practices of nutrition and dietetics, including medical nutrition therapy; communicate nutritional requirements to patients/residents/clients/inmates; assess nutritional status and develop nutrition care plans; communicate nutritional concerns and recommendations with the interdisciplinary team; provide effective nutrition education and training; analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.

Dietetics Assistant Director

Dietetics Director

All of the above, and

Knowledge of: Principles of nutrition and dietetic practice; sanitation and safety measures used in the operation, cleaning and care of utensils, equipment and work areas; laws, rules, regulations, and accreditation standards regarding food preparation and service; cost control records for foods; personnel management practices and techniques; department's equal employment opportunity objectives; a manager's role in equal employment opportunity; and the processes available to meet equal employment objectives.

Ability to: Apply the principles and practices of nutrition and dietetics; plan, organize, and direct the work of others; requisition supplies and equipment; plan and conduct in-service training programs; analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action; keep records and prepare reports; and effectively contribute to the department's equal employment objectives.

Some positions in these classifications may be eligible for safety retirement in accordance with Government Code section 19816.20.

All employees shall have general qualifications as described by California Code of Regulations, title 2, section 172.

Special Personal Characteristics

Pre-Registered Dietitian

Registered Dietitian

Dietetics Assistant Director

Dietetics Director

Sympathetic understanding of and willingness to work with the patient/resident/client/inmate population of a State facility, residential or community setting; flexible; able to work well independently; and able to work cooperatively within a team.

Registered Dietitian (Safety)

Registered Dietitian, Correctional Facility

Willingness to work at State facilities with forensic patients/residents/clients/inmates; willingness to work respectfully and courteously with forensic patients/residents/clients/inmates; objective empathetic understanding of the problems of forensic patients/residents/clients/inmates; tact; patience; emotional stability; alertness; keenness of observation; and personal cleanliness.

Special Physical Characteristics

Registered Dietitian (Safety)

Registered Dietitian, Correctional Facility

Incumbents must be reasonably expected to possess and maintain sufficient strength, agility, and endurance to perform during physically, mentally, and emotionally stressful and emergency situations encountered on the job without endangering their health and well-being or that of fellow employees, the forensic patients/residents/clients/inmates, and the general public.

Class History