JOB SUMMARY

At Houston Methodist, the Dietary Clerk position is responsible for performing customer-oriented activities and various background operational duties relating to obtaining Room Service orders and the entry of meal selections via the departmental computerized software. This position for taking diet orders from patients, explaining which diet patients are on and answering questions regarding food choices. The Dietary Clerk position assists with patient tray assembly. This position organizes menus by unit and utilizes departmental computerized software to supplement menus for patient meals that have not been ordered. The Dietary Clerk position is responsible for the calculation, delivery and tracking of nutrition products to the patient’s bedside or patient care unit. This position follows all department policies and procedures and must comply with relevant local Food Ordinances.

PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Job responsibilities labeled EF capture those duties that are essential functions of the job.

PEOPLE - 20%

• Explains procedure for ordering of meals to all patients. Anticipates the need of the patient and responds appropriately. Interacts in a positive, professional manner with patients, family members and/or nursing on a daily basis. Communicates clearly and professionally, whether verbally or in writing, to take patient orders, promoting both work efforts and problem resolution. (EF)
• Communicates with unit and on-call Dietitian to clarify discrepancies in diet orders and to ensure patient needs are met. Partners with the Nutrition Assistant to ensure patients selections are communicated to tray line. (EF)
• Communicates pertinent information (difficulty eating, poor appetite, nourishment concerns, formula usage, requests to see the Dietitian, nutrition consult orders) to ensure proper handling and timely processing of information. (EF)
• Promotes, develops and sustains teamwork. Conducts self in a manner that is congruent with cultural diversity, equity and inclusion principles. Contributes towards improvement of department scores for employee engagement, i.e. peer-to-peer accountability. (EF)

SERVICE - 35%

• Assists with incoming calls. Enters census for trays provided to guest and outpatient areas, accurately entering patient meal orders into the computerized departmental software. Dispatches received messages, as appropriate, and orders in a timely manner upon receipt. (EF)
• Navigates and confirm patient’s diet orders and notes in EMR. Maintains knowledge of diets when negotiating alternatives to selections when items requested are not allowed on the patient’s diet or when greater variety is needed, offers alternative items to increase patient satisfaction with service. (EF)
• Confers with patients by phone to obtain their patient meal request, utilizing computerized department software in recording information (allergies, late/hold, paper service, notes, etc.) in the proper manner so that concise instructions relating to patient care are maintained and followed. Assists in plating food items on patients’ trays during peak times as per team leader or manager. (EF)
• Resolves promptly any issues, which may occur with any of the patient dining services programs and refers complaints to the appropriate departmental staff member for investigation and follow-up. Recommends improvements of department score for patient satisfaction, through peer-to-peer accountability to service standards. (EF)

QUALITY/SAFETY - 25%

• Properly enters menu selections for patients with accuracy and consistency, keeping current and knowledgeable of patient diet orders and hospital menus. Delivers and updates Welcome Packets, patient menus. (EF)
• Compiles all documentation into monthly reports specified by management staff. Assists in creating reports and handouts per management request. (EF)
• Matches patient meal worksheets with the computerized departmental software sheets to determine accuracy of information received through the orders interface, ensuring that patient diets are appropriately modified to meet the physician prescribed diet order. (EF)
• Accurately notes patient preferences using information received from the tray check sheets, fax machines, printer, patient, nursing or the Dietitian. (EF)

FINANCE - 10%

• Completes tracking of nutrition products delivered or returned. Inventories and keeps office supplies at pre-established amounts to reduce waste and stay within budgeting funds. (EF)
• Utilizes resources with cost effectiveness and value creation in mind. Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks, assisting coworkers as needed. (EF)

GROWTH/INNOVATION - 10%

• Seeks opportunities to identify self-development needs and takes appropriate action. Ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management. Completes and updates the My Development Plan on an on-going basis. (EF)

This job description is not intended to be all inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

o High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

o One year experience in customer service, diet office, dietetic field or call center preferred

• Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (i.e. Disaster, Severe Weather Event, etc.) regardless of selection above.