Dietitian - Decnet

South Riverdale Community Health Centre is a non-profit, multi-service organization that provides primary healthcare, social and community outreach services with an emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention primarily to people of East Toronto. Our mission is to improve the lives of people that face barriers to physical, mental, spiritual and social well-being. We do so by meaningfully engaging our clients and communities, ensuring equitable access to primary health care and delivering quality care through a range of evidence informed programs, services and approaches. As a leader in community health, our locally and internationally recognized community services include cutting-edge primary health services, health promotion, harm reduction, environmental health, community food centre and population-based community programs for marginalized peoples. We value health equity and inclusion and respect in our work and in the delivery of our services.

The Diabetes Education Community Network (DECNET) is a partnership among South Riverdale Community Health Centre, East End Community Health Centre, Access Alliance Multicultural Health and Community Services, and Michael Garron Hospital. Working within the context of community health principles and practices, DECNET provides diabetes education support and services to adults with pre-diabetes and Type 2 diabetes in East Toronto. Particular emphasis is placed on increasing access for mental health, hard to reach, complex, and marginalized populations and members of our community.

As a member of the DECNET team, this position develops and carries out nutrition education programs for the community; provides nutrition counselling to SRCHC clients; acts as a resource person to community organizations in matters relating to nutrition; advocates on behalf of clients and other community agencies.

This position is expected to work onsite during the COVID-19 pandemic as required.

**Responsibilities**:

- Assess client’s nutrition status by gaining an understanding of food habits or preferences, socio-economic and cultural background, psychological factors and medical profile
- Develop, implement and evaluate individual nutrition care plans according to the parameters of client’s health, literacy level and relevant cultural and psychosocial factors
- Ensure continuity of care by maintaining up-to-date medical records, monitoring clients on a regular basis, and participate in case conferences with other members of health care team as required
- Identify barriers to local food access and facilitate local community initiatives to improve food access
- Support the advocacy efforts of appropriate agencies and policy makers on food issues
- Develop and maintain networks with community organizations and groups in order to develop collaborative initiatives
- Act as a technical advisor on food and nutrition programs and issues to staff of SRCHC and as a consultant to other local health and social service agencies
- Advocate with other health agencies to develop culturally relevant nutrition resources
- Develop, implement and evaluate education projects and activities to meet nutritional needs of groups in the community
- Use local media to promote healthy eating behaviours, and raise local food issues
- Identify the needs for nutrition education resources and obtain or develop relevant and current resources to meet these needs
- Maintain professional competence through participation in professional development programs, networking with peers and other related health professionals
- Collaborate within own team and other teams across the organization to identify and provide health education to target groups
- Prepare reports and statistics as required
- Participate in health promotion policy development and advocacy within SRCHC and the community level

**Qualifications**:

- Bachelor of Science or Applied Science in Food and Nutrition from a recognized university
- Completion of a Dietitians of Canada accredited Dietetic Internship, preferably with a community focus
- Eligibility for membership with Dietitians of Canada and College of Dietitians of Ontario
- Thorough knowledge and proficiency in nutrition care
- Experience in community nutrition and clinical nutrition counselling
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary team environment
- Demonstrated commitment to community-based health care and knowledge of health promotion philosophy and strategies
- Knowledge of and sensitivity to socio-economic and cross-cultural issues in diet and nutrition
- Demonstrated respect for diversity, equity and accessibility with the ability to work collaboratively and positively with others
- Strong oral and written communication skills
- Excellent interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to undertake nutritional counselling and facilitate groups
- Written and verbal knowledge of a second language, in particular South Asian/East Asian languages considere