La Mesa
Job Description BrightQuest Treatment Centers in La Mesa, CA is hiring a Nutrition Aide to join our team! Primary Purpose and Function The Nutrition Aide (NA) works closely with our clients and Registered Dietitian in a comprehensive mental health treatment center. The NA supports the Nutrition Program by assisting the Registered Dietitian in meal planning groups, grocery shopping, cooking and meal support. The NA ensures groceries adhere to budget and guidelines. They ensure clients with special dietary requirements have the foods they require and communicate with the clinical, medical and support staff. Minimum Qualifications • Associate’s degree in nutrition, health, or food science preferred., • One year of experience in healthcare or related field preferred; experience in mental health-related setting highly desired., • ServSafe Food Handler Certification preferred., • Good communication and client skills; initiative, dependability, flexibility, punctuality, safety-oriented, good teamwork, professional appearance., • Must balance warmth and supportive with appropriate boundaries and confidentiality., • Must be able to read and interpret documents and procedure manuals, write reports and correspondence, attend meetings and calls., • Ability to implement and enforce program guidelines, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures., • Specific, required, current, and active licensure, registration, or certification must be maintained in good standing., • Proficient computer skills and ability to use various software programs., • Have a valid driver’s license in good standing and auto insurance., • Successfully complete drug screen and comprehensive background check., • Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced work environment., • Must be flexible to work evenings, nights and weekends as needed. Essential Functions and Responsibilities To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed must be representative of the knowledge, skills, minimum education, training, licensure, experience, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. • Milieu Support: o Maintain a therapeutic and structured milieu environment, assisting clients with daily activities related to nutrition and wellness. o Monitor clients’ progress and provide positive reinforcement and encouragement. o Identify any behavioral or emotional challenges and communicate with the clinical team for appropriate intervention. o Monitor and implement individualized nutrition structures. o Support in-house and offsite experiential activities including meal preparation, dining, grocery shopping, and other clinically indicated skill building exposures. o Other duties as assigned • Meal Preparation Facilitation: o Plan and prepare three (3) meals per day for Level 1 clients o Lead and support clients in meal preparation, teaching them practical skills and providing hands-on guidance. o Ensure meals are prepared according to individual treatment plans and dietary needs, fostering a sense of accomplishment and self-sufficiency. o Maintain kitchen cleanliness and ensure cooking equipment is in good working order. o Ensure all food safety guidelines are being met from food storage, preparation, cooking, and cleaning o Conduct weekly pantry and kitchen checks for inventory, monitor for restricted food items, expired foods, and proper storage of food items. o Support clients transitioning to Level 3 in completing the Food Safety Transition Structure • Menu Development: o Conduct meal planning groups with clients, creating balanced menus based on nutritional guidelines, client food allergies and preferences. o Collaborate with dietitians and treatment team members to ensure menus align with individual dietary needs and treatment objectives. o Other duties as assigned • Collaboration and Communication: o Work closely with registered dietitians, therapists, and other clinical staff to integrate nutrition goals into individualized treatment plans. o Attend team meetings and contribute to treatment planning, offering insights on clients' progress and nutritional needs. o Reinforce individual nutrition recommendations and goals the clients set with their dietitian during individual sessions o Other duties as assigned • Documentation: o Timely and accurate clinical record documentation including meal support documentation, group progress notes, and supporting auxiliary and support staff with requisite documentation needs o Other duties as assigned • Provide first aid in the event of an emergency and notify proper authorities without delay of significant events such as death, fires, accidents or other emergencies., • Demonstrate good professional judgment and integrity, especially in areas relating to client care, supervision, licensing, and Joint Commission., • Fully understand and maintain policies regarding professional ethics, including appropriate boundaries and client confidentiality; monitor documents according to company and HIPAA policies., • Professionally, ethically, and compassionately relate to clients, families, referral sources and staff at all times., • Meet timeliness expectations of completing work as scheduled, demonstrating self-paced performance and adjusting priorities as needed., • Meet quality expectations of accuracy, completeness, and responsiveness to feedback., • Write clear and concise statements summarizing clients’ feelings, presentation and response in clinically significant encounters., • Model appropriate interpersonal relationships, emotional regulation, and boundaries., • Model and reinforce positive behaviors of clients, and promotes social interaction by conversing with them, participating in activities with them, etc., • Knowledge of current legal standards pertaining to professional practice, reporting requirements, professional boundaries, and relate issues., • Reports any immediate safety hazards to appropriate supervisory personnel or maintenance personnel., • Report resident abuse and neglect., • Attend and participate in assigned and required trainings, supervisions, and weekly meetings., • Ability to demonstrate awareness and respect for cultural, lifestyle, age, gender, and sexual orientation diversities of clients and staff; apply knowledge of age, gender, and multi-cultural counseling skills., • Understands and adheres to GMH’s compliance standards as they appear in GMH’s Ethics and Code of Conduct Policy and Conflict of Interest Policy., • Performs other related duties as assigned. Benefits Designed for You and Yours Sero Mental Health and its subsidiary companies are proud to offer full-time employees and their dependents enrollment in multi-level medical, dental, and vision health benefits with substantial employer premium contributions. Additionally, the company offers employer paid Life Insurance and AD&D, Long Term Disability, Paid Parental Leave, and Employee Assistance Plans. Employees can choose from a variety of voluntary benefits including Medical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Short Term Disability Coverage, Hospital Indemnity and Accident Plans, Critical Illness Coverage, and Legal Assistance. Furthermore, the company offers generous Paid Time Off and Holiday Pay. Both full and part-time employees have the opportunity to enroll in the company’s 401(K) Retirement Plans with company match of 100% of the first 3% contributed and 50% of the next 2% contributed per paycheck. Employees contributing to their 401K plan are 100% vested immediately upon becoming eligible for the company match. All benefits are effective the 1st of the month following 30 days of hire. Compensation range for the Nutrition Aide role is $21.00 / hr. The range provided is for California based hires only and will be commensurate with candidate experience. Pay ranges for candidates in other locations other than CA may differ based on the cost of living in that geographic location. #GMH