Nutrition assistants in hospitals supports the patient meal selection, service, and delivery process. Assist patients with menu selectio on assigned unit. Assemble meal tray carts for patient care units and deliver and retrieve patient meals trays and snacks to patient rooms.
If I am currently a certified nurse aide, do I need to take the nutrition assistant course?
No, you are already allowed as a certified nurse aide under nurse supervision to assist with eating.
Will criminal record checks be required if employed?
Yes. Adult care homes and staffing agencies are required to request a criminal record check from KDHE for unlicensed employees. Only certain convictions prohibit an individual from working in an adult care home.
Can the nurse delegate nursing tasks other than assisting residents with eating to nutrition assistants?
No. The only nursing task the nutrition assistant may be delegated is assisting residents with eating. The nutrition assistant may push a wheelchair, but cannot perform tasks that are considered direct care such as dressing, grooming, bathing, transferring, positioning or assisting a resident to walk.