Nutrition System Specialist

Description

Become part of an inclusive organization with over 40,000 teammates, whose mission is to improve the health and well-being of the unique communities we serve.

Summary:

Join our One Great Team at UNC Medical Center in a hybrid role that combines clinical expertise, technology, and leadership in Nutrition and Food Services (NFS). This position provides professional and technical oversight of key NFS programs, including Hospitality Suite, Inventory Connect, Operations Connect, Tray in Motion, Web Menus, and nutrition-related EPIC support.

• As the primary information systems liaison between NFS, Informational Services Division, teammates, and external vendors, you will ensure our systems remain accurate, up to date, and aligned with organizational needs. Responsibilities include maintaining databases, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards for patient therapeutic diets, and conducting nutrient analysis to support safe and effective patient care.
• We are seeking a self-starter and problem-solver with strong communication skills. A Registered Dietitian is required to evaluate recipes and nutrients for therapeutic diet appropriateness for our inpatient population.
• This is a unique opportunity to apply your clinical nutrition background while expanding into technology and process improvement. You'll collaborate across disciplines, gain exposure to innovative projects, and contribute to a culture of continuous learning and patient-centered care.

Responsibilities:

1.This position performs duties independently on a day-to-day basis and reports directly to the Associate Director of Clinical Nutrition. Supports the UNC Medical Center, Hillsborough Hospital, Chatham Hospital, Clinical Call Center, and Morrisville cafe, and coordinates NFS Informatics activities with other services in the medical center.

2.Compiles, formats, and prepares reports using various software packages, which include researching and gathering data from multiple sources. Merges data or links databases, develops complex queries to extrapolate statistics and data from the database for ad hoc reports. Develops programs or other production criteria to develop the data reports requested or coordinates with the computer production staff to schedule production..

3.Ensures upgrades to the NFS diet systems are made. Evaluates and tests new applications or enhancements.

4.Collaborates with EPIC and Computrition system employees for interface testing and medical nutrition therapy orders.

5.Participates in the All-Affiliate Clinical Nutrition monthly meetings to enhance alignment of menus, diet orders, etc. across the UNC system. Attends and participates in monthly iCIG meetings and other related hospital committees as pertinent.

6.May perform special projects or assignments. May supervise staff or oversee data input.

7.Coordinates the use of the Computrition program within NFS including training new staff on system. Oversees all Computrition functions that integrate the automation of Foodservice Operations Management (FOM) and Nutrition Care Management (NCM). Responsible for keeping Computrition up-to-date and orderly.

8.Creates reports via Business Objects and EPIC for RD productivity, admission screening, malnutrition reimbursement, and other reports to support the clinical nutrition and food services business needs.

9.Oversees recipe/menu planning, standardization, nutritional analysis; automated ordering/purchasing, inventory and forecasting. Updates vendor item prices with updated cost information automatically reflecting at the food item, recipe, and menu level; pull sheets and inventory reports and all other items associated with FOM. Oversees the medical nutrition therapy section of Computrition. Includes the following: likes, dislikes and allergies; nourishments; smart substitutions; patient satisfaction; diet order history; diet tally; food and drug interactions and all other items associated with NCM.

10.Coordinates with NFS Management in implementing a select menu process via Computrition. Oversees the clinical dietetics sections as they relate to Computrition activities of nutrition screening, nutrition assessment, diet order entry, tube feeding and supplemental feeding orders, patient food preferences, standing orders, specific diet pattern calculations and nutrient analysis of meals.

11.Oversees automation of food production activities in Computrition as they relate to service and distribution, inventory and cost management, ingredient lists, recipe expansion, menu and recipe nutrient analysis, meal and diet pattern development and implementation and upkeep of tray ticket printing and data needed for NFS annual report.

12.Develops regular and modified diet menus for facility patients. Monitors nutritional analysis to ensure compliance with diet manual. Plans the menus for scheduled special meals and holidays, gives guidance to Executive Chefin menu planning. Responsible for conducting monthly menu conferences with food production staff.

13.Develop processes for incorporating Inventory Connect into patient services and retail operations. Create and maintain dashboards to support business operations, reduce cost, and improve patient care through enhanced supply chain management.

14.Provide technical and systems support for infant, pediatric, and adult formula inventory and management. Assist with formula and human milk related initiatives and process changes in the Human Milk and Specialty Formula Room.

15.Responsible for weekly and monthly departmental reporting on outcomes metrics, including weekly production tallies, employee productivity reports, and tray time analysis. Maintains productivity standards and practices, effective time management, and prioritizing of task through reporting on Operations and Tray in Motion data.

16.Assists in achieving compliance with regulatory agency standards, including state, federal, and Joint Commission (JC) and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) standards. Additionally, this position acts as the process improvement coach for the department, and will be expected to attend Kaizen Coach training and to facilitate improvement projects within NFS, driven by data generated by the Computrition system.

17. Provides training and support to end users regarding data collection, input, and analysis and/or in the use of new or changing applications systems. Assists staff and serves as a resource for others.

18. Responsible for the administration and maintenance of a database. Manages all aspects of data collection, data verification, data quality assurance and analysis. Establishes policies and procedures regarding the administration of the database.

Education Requirements:
* Bachelor's degree at a US regionally accredited university or college and course work accredited or approved by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
* Completion of a Coordinated Program in Dietetics or Dietetic Internship accredited by ACEND (Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics) of no less than 900 hours (1200 hours for graduates of programs beginning 2012).
Licensure/Certification Requirements:
* Registered Dietitian (RD) by The Commission of Dietetic Registration (CDR).
* Licensed as a Dietitian/Nutritionist (LDN) by the North Carolina Board of Dietetics and Nutrition. (Certain positions may allow licensure to be obtained within one (1) month from date of hire).
Professional Experience Requirements:
* Four (4) years of experience as a dietitian in an acute care clinical environment, foodservice, or research setting.
* One (1) year of experience in data informatics, data system management, or program management.
Knowledge/Skills/and Abilities Requirements:
* Comprehensive knowledge and application of medical nutrition therapy, including the nutrition care process.
* Ability to organize and gather data, interpret results, and prepare reports.
* Ability to communicate effectively in written, verbal, and electronic formats with patients, staff, physicians, nurses, and administrators.
* Ability to organize tasks and work independently.

Legal Employer: STATE

Entity: UNC Medical Center

Organization Unit: NFS Senior Staff

Work Type: Full Time

Standard Hours Per Week: 40.00

Salary Range:$26.59 - $38.23 per hour (Hiring Range)

Pay offers are determined by experience and internal equity

Work Assignment Type: Hybrid

Work Schedule: Variable

Location of Job: US:NC:Chapel Hill

Exempt From Overtime: Exempt: Yes

This is a State position employed by UNC Health Care System with UNC Health benefits. If, however, you are presently an employee of another North Carolina agency and currently participate in TSERS or the ORP, you will be eligible to continue participating in those plans at UNC Health.

Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

UNC Health makes reasonable accommodations for applicants' and employees' religious practices and beliefs, as well as applicants and employees with disabilities. All interested applicants are invited to apply for career opportunities. Please email applicant.accommodations@unchealth.unc.edu if you need a reasonable accommodation to search and/or to apply for a career opportunity.