4H07
PRISON DIETITIAN

This is dietary work evaluating the nutritional requirements of meals served inmates in the Philadelphia Prisons System. An employee in this class reviews general population menus and monitors inmate nutritional plans of care for conformance to Federal and State mandates and Correctional Health Care and American Dietetic Association standards, and oversees vendor food preparation and service programs for inmates with special dietary and nutritional needs. Work includes responsibility for recommending dietary policies and procedures, evaluating their implementation after approval, and reporting on adherence. Contact with vendors, nutritional, meal preparation, food service delivery and medical and allied health personnel, as part of the Philadelphia Prisons System inmate meal program, is a significant aspect of the work. Work is performed under the supervision of an administrative, or technical, superior.

• The position in this class must assess the nutritional value of meals served to inmates in the Philadelphia Prisons System.
• The position in this class must evaluate the delivery of medical diet meals to inmates with special dietary and nutritional needs.
• The position must perform the work in the Philadelphia Prisons System.

• Reviews and monitors contractor food service provider menus for nutritional sufficiency, variety and conformance to consent decrees and court orders; evaluates and reviews contractor Request for Proposals (RFP); recommends policies and procedures to improve food service preparation, delivery and clinical assessment of inmates; interviews inmates to ensure nutritional needs are current and properly assessed.
• Evaluates nutrition plan and therapeutic meals for inmates with nutritional and dietary problems; Work also includes assisting an on-site doctor performing inmate medical evaluations; evaluates medical diet orders to determine conformance to recommendation; reviews medical diet order forms of the medical health service provider for accuracy of diet information; ensures inmates on medical diets receive appropriate diet trays; reviews counseling of inmates missing three meals in a row.
• Monitors food quality, quantity, consistency and special procedures used in storage and handling of medical diets; maintains, adjusts and recommends diets to meet inmate needs and satisfy nutritional guidelines; polls residents regarding acceptance of newly introduced foods; meets with inmates and their representatives to discuss their problems and concerns regarding diet; meets with contractor representatives to discuss findings; generates reports presented to administrative, or technical, superior(s) regarding inmate issues pertaining to diet and nutrition.
• Attends departmental, interdepartmental and contractor meetings to provide information regarding food preparation, service delivery and nutritional analysis; votes on vendor proposals, along with other administrators; attends conferences and workshops of nutrition and dietetic organizations.
• Reviews computerized records on inmates with medical diets; prepares a variety of reports on observations of meal preparation, food service delivery, nutritional analyses and contractor's compliance with Philadelphia Prisons System policies on medical diets.
• Performs related work as required.

KNOWLEDGE OF:
• the principles and practices of nutrition and diet therapy
• the selection and preparation of foods to provide optimum nutritional values
• the principles and practices of dietetics and large-scale food service practices
• the methods, materials and equipment used in large-scale food preparation and service
• bacteriological principles as applied to food spoilage and sanitation
• sanitary and safety standards applicable to large-scale food preparation and service
• approved infection control techniques
• pharmacology as applied to nutrition and diet
ABILITY TO:
• establish and maintain therapeutic relationships with inmates
• review Request for Proposals for Correctional Food Service requirements
• maintain records and prepare reports
• establish and maintain working relationships with contractor meal preparation, food service delivery, medical and allied health services staff and associates

EDUCATION
• Completion of a bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university with major course work in Dietetics, Foods and Nutrition, Institutional Management or Food Administration and completion of a dietetic internship in an approved institution.

OR

Any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Personnel Department, which has included a bachelor's degree as specified above as an educational minimum.

• Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.

• Certification as Registered Dietitian by the American Dietetic Association within six months of appointment and during tenure of employment as a Prison Dietitian.