Job Description

Staff - Non UnionJob Category Non Union Technicians and Research AssistantsJob Profile Non Union Salaried - Research Assistant /Technician 5Job Title Registered DietitianDepartment Cresswell Laboratory | Centre for Brain Health | Faculty of MedicineCompensation Range $5,910.91 - $6,763.37 CAD MonthlyPosting End Date May 23, 2024Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the Posting End Date above.Job End Date May 31, 2025Please note this is a part-time 0.60 FTE position. The salary is prorated, $3,546.55/mon.This position is located within a health-care facility, therefore, the successful candidate will be required to provide verification of full vaccination against Covid-19 provided prior to the start date, as required by a provincial health mandate.At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.Job SummaryThe Vision of the BC Brain Wellness Program is Brain Wellness, Beyond All Boundaries.We are leveraging the collective power of clinical care, lifestyle programs, education, and research to design a comprehensive and integrated approach to brain wellness for people with chronic brain conditions, care partners and healthy agers.The BC Brain Wellness Program is an interdisciplinary effort to establish clinically relevant lifestyle approaches to complement medical treatment in the clinics at the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health. By combining clinical care with interventions that support healthier lifestyles, the BC Brain Wellness Program team hopes to improve and sustain quality of life for people living with brain disorders and their care partners, as well as to offer healthy agers the opportunity to enhance their wellness and engage in preventative lifestyle measures.The BC Brain Wellness Program brings together the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, the Allan McGavin Sports Medicine Clinic at the University of British Columbia and Vancouver Coastal Health. Expertise is drawn from many fields including the School of Music, Physiotherapy, Kinesiology, Neurology, Psychiatry, Neurosciences, Nutrition as well as several community partners.The position is for a part-time Registered Dietitian (RD) to assist in nutrition research and program delivery at the BC Brain Wellness Program.Nutritional research: The individual will lead study team members in testing the safety and efficacy of nutritional interventions for brain wellness in people with neurological conditions (e.g., Parkinsons disease) and healthy agers. The registered dietitian will be responsible for formulating meal plans that can be prescribed to participants, educating, and coaching each participant throughout the study period, and tracking the participants adherence to the respective diets. The individual must be knowledgeable and mindful of the research enterprise ongoing. They must ensure: 1) patient confidentiality and safety; 2) Clinical data reliability and quality.Program delivery: The individual will work with other dietitians, the program delivery team, and volunteers to design nutrition educational materials and online nutrition classes for BC Brain Wellness Program participants. The BC Brain Wellness Program offers 27 different courses, and is looking to add nutritional based programming.Education: The individual will work with other team members and the Program Manager to collaborate with other UBC faculties to design and implement learning opportunities for students.Organizational Status
The individual will work closely in a multidisciplinary team environment, and have access to electronic medical records. They will report directly to the Research Program Manager and the Principal Investigator.Work Performed
The applicant's activities will focus on nutrition, diet, and brain health studies with the BC Brain Wellness Program but might also be involved in other research efforts or program related initiatives.Research Related:

• Reviewing and revising nutritional research protocols and dietary interventions
• Reviews papers and/or new protocols in the area of nutrition and diet for brain health
• Formulating meal plans in accordance with study requirements.
• Educating and coaching the participants on the respective dietary interventions.
• Facilitate cooking class following the respective dietary guidelines.
• Tracking and fostering adherence to dietary interventions through motivational strategies.
• Providing dietary assessment and dietary analysis according to study protocol
• Recruits potential participants through various strategies, provides information and answers questions about research studies. This may involve outreach into the community.
• Screens patients for eligibility and schedules study visits.
• Performs clinical assessments and interviews with participants and collects nutritional, dietary, and demographic information.
• Monitors the safety and efficacy of the dietary interventions and reports back to the Principal Investigator.
• Performs literature reviews when required.
• Contributes to grant applications.

Program Related:

• Working with other dietitians on the team in designing and implementing dietary programs (virtual and/or in person) for people with chronic brain conditions, care partners and healthy agers (aka., participants of the BC Brain Wellness Program).
• Working with other health care professionals on the team to provide multidisciplinary, community-based care
• Advocate the importance of nutrition among people with neurodegenerative diseases.
• Participates in group meetings, scientific seminars, and conferences.
• Keep abreast of techniques, strategies and best practices
• Other duties as delegated.

Education Related:

• Collaborate with other programs or departments such as Dietetics Program at UBC and provide supervision to dietetics student.
• Deliver public speech regarding nutrition and brain health to general population and people with neurodegenerative diseases or movement disorders.
• Provide nutrition education to staff, students, and volunteers at Brain Wellness Program

Consequence of Error/Judgement
Poor decisions/errors in judgment may compromise the quality of the data, results of the research, breach the trust and confidentiality of study subjects, and may result in financial loss to the Principal Investigators, the Centres and the University. Even simple typographical mistakes may result in distress to study subjects, and be damaging to the program and the reputation of the team and Principal Investigators. They may influence the ability of the PIs to meet critical deadlines and affect funding applications and ongoing program obligations.Supervision Received
The Registered Dietitian will work independently, and with research staff, clinical investigators, clinicians, clinical fellows, nursing and multidisciplinary staff as well as students at the BC Brain Wellness Program. Overall supervision will be provided by the Research Program Manager and the Principal Investigator.Supervision Given
The Registered Dietitian with oversee the academic work of undergraduate and graduate students, work learn students, and nutrition volunteers as needed.Minimum Qualifications
University degree in relevant discipline or completion of a technical program and a minimum five years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Some positions may require a graduate degree.- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with ones own- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing ones own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusionPreferred QualificationsCurrent full registration with the College of Dietitians of British Columbia (CDBC). Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of 5 years related experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience.Past experience in a clinical and/or busy hospital environment would be advantageous, as would prior experience in clinical research. The applicant should be familiar with the concepts and requirements of Mediterranean diets, MIND diet, and DASH diet. The applicant must be sensitive to the issues faced by individuals living with neurological diseases and be able to communicate compassionately with patient participants. The need for accuracy in reporting, and attention to detail cannot be overstated. The applicant needs to be well organized in data collection and record keeping. Organizational skills are important, including the ability to prioritize workload. The applicant must have the ability to effectively manage multiple tasks and priorities, and the flexibility to adjust to changing work plans, schedules and deadlines. We require a self-motivated team member with passion and enthusiasm for disease-oriented medical research with the ability to work well in a team environment as well as be proactive at work. The desire to make a positive difference in the lives of patients and their families and this research enterprise is essential. The applicant must enjoy working as part of a large multidisciplinary team. However, they will also have the ability to work independently (albeit under the supervision of clinician scientists/scientists) once they have demonstrated the ability to show initiative. After a probationary period, they will be expected to step up and take an active role in project planning and support. Working between the public and University academics presents some communication challenges. Hence, the applicant must be adept in written and verbal English. Computers skills are of crucial importance: Word Processing, Internet (PubMed), and database (Access, Excel) experience is required. Standard Level First Aid and CPR C is an asset.

University of British Columbia