Entry Level Forensic Lab Jobs in Florida (NOW HIRING)

The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) is the state of Florida's social services agency. The agency oversees services for child safety, fostering, adoption, domestic violence, adult protective services, refugees, homelessness, mental health, substance abuse, childcare providers, human trafficking and public assistance. Within DCF, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health (SAMH) Program office is recognized as the single state authority for substance abuse and mental health services. The Office of SAMH is statutorily responsible for the planning, evaluation, and implementation of a comprehensive statewide system of care for the prevention, treatment, and recovery of children and adults with serious mental illnesses or substance use disorders.

North Florida Evaluation and Treatment Center (NFETC) is a 216 bed, all male, forensic, mental health rehabilitation facility. The Center is located in northeast Gainesville, Florida on 639 picturesque acres with regular sightings of deer, turkey, and other wildlife. NFETC employs a variety of entry level to leadership positions including food service, maintenance, direct care, nurses, counselors, rehab therapists, medical doctors, security, psychiatrists, and psychologists.

This is a highly responsible and professional position serving as the Dietitian within the Food Service Unit. The ideal candidate will be a collaborative team player who works seamlessly across all sections within the program office. This role requires the use of independent judgment, a proactive approach to responsibilities, and exceptional attention to detail. If you are driven, organized, and thrive in a fast-paced environment, we encourage you to apply.

Specific duties and responsibilities include:

• Administering medical nutrition care to the individuals served at a large state Psychiatric institution.
• Communicating and consulting with physicians, nurses and other qualified staff regarding the nutritional status of the individuals as it relates to health and well-being.
• Monitoring nutritional status by observation of food intake, consulting with individuals served and reviewing medical records for significant lab test results, pertinent medications, current anthropometric measurements and dietary restrictions.
• Recording progress utilizing SOAP format, making recommendations when indicated to ensure optimum customer satisfaction.
• Providing nutritional assessments for new admits and annually for all individuals on designated units within specified time frames to ensure compliance with the annual review service process.
• Participating in treatment team meetings on designated units as scheduled to review treatment and progress of individuals served.
• Maintaining updated records of pertinent data of individuals served.
• Providing diet instructions/nutrition education when appropriate for inpatient individuals and for individuals who are being discharged from the hospital.
• Conducting in-service training programs in nutrition to dietary personnel and other hospital personnel when indicated.
• Reporting all equipment and safety issues to ensure a safe and secure environment.
• Observing individuals diet acceptance and preference at mealtime in dining rooms and designated units.
• Collecting quality assurance data for established criteria to ensure optimum customer satisfaction.
• Attending conferences, seminars, workshops, etc. for continuing education credits and improving job performance.
• Performing other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, skills and abilities required for the position:

• Knowledge of the concepts and theories of dietetics or food and nutrition.
• Knowledge of nutrition as it relates to growth, development and disease.
• Knowledge of nutritional assessment techniques.
• Ability to provide nutrition education to others.
• Ability to plan menus.
• Ability to prepare food specifications.
• Ability to calculate food costs.
• Ability to analyze food production methods for efficiency and sanitation practices.
• Ability to prepare and maintain records.
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

Minimum qualifications:

• A registered dietitian as defined by the American Dietetic Association; or
• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in dietetics or food and nutrition.

Location: Gainesville, FL, US, 32601