Tara Smith, RDN, LDN
Merryville,LA
Summary
Skilled nutritional services professional with proven track record of driving impactful dietary programs and improving patient outcomes. Known for strong leadership, effective team collaboration, and adaptability to changing needs. Expertise in nutritional assessment, menu planning, and regulatory compliance. Recognized for strategic planning, problem-solving abilities, and results-oriented approach.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Food and Nutrition Services
Byrd Regional Hospital
09.2012 - Current
- Supervise eleven food service employees
- Plan and approve all patient menus
- Provide in-patient and out-patient medical nutrition therapy
- Serve as quality and performance improvement coordinator for the food service department
- Represent food service department at all councils and committees
- Maintain, review, and update all policies and procedures in the department
- Maintain, review, and update the diet manual
- Work with nursing, physicians, and staff on coordinating all aspects of nutrition care and dietary services at facility
- Responsible for planning dietary budget and maintaining cost effective, quality dietary service to patients and cafeteria patrons
- Responsible for ordering food and supplies for dietary department, maintaining inventory, and minimizing waste
- Responsible for training all dietary staff, ensuring food safety programs are implemented and adhered to
- Responsible for adhering to Department of Health food service standards, in good standing
Manager/Agent
Thib’s Pecan Cottage, LLC
09.1999 - Current
- Assist in managing family run business
- Responsible for training employees, ensuring food safety programs are implemented and adhered to
- Responsible for adhering to Louisiana Department of Health food service standards, in good standing
Clinical Dietitian
Bayne-Jones Army Community Hospital
02.2012 - 09.2012
- Provide in-patient and out-patient medical nutrition therapy
- Work with nursing, physicians, and staff on coordinating all aspects of nutrition care and dietary services at facility
Clinical Nutrition Coordinator
CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Hospital
10.2012 - 02.2012
- Supervise five clinical dietitians, diet office staff, and tray line staff
- Coordinate and order all medical nutritionals for the facility
- Plan and approve all patient menus
- Supervise dietary services at a satellite facility in Coushatta, LA
- Provide in-patient and out-patient medical nutrition therapy, as needed
- Provide therapy to patients at the wound center
- Serve as JCAHO and QI coordinator for the food service department
- Represent food service department at all councils, to include nurse practice committee, PNT committee, Utilization Review committee
- Participate in nursing orientation program
- Maintain, review, and update all policies and procedures in the department
- Maintain, review, and update the diet manual
- Work with nursing, physicians, and staff on coordinating all aspects of nutrition care and dietary services at facility
Director of Nutritional Services
Beauregard Memorial Hospital
08.2005 - 09.2007
- Coordinator of all clinical dietary services
- Provider of in-patient and out-patient medical nutrition therapy
- Supervisor of the diet tech
- Worked with the food service director to coordinate and approve all patient dietary services, including menus
- PI and JCAHO coordinator for the department
- Participated in all councils and committees involving food service
- Maintained, reviewed, and updated all policies and procedures for nutritional services and food service
- Maintained, reviewed, and updated diet manual
- Worked with physicians, nursing staff, and administration to provide dietary and nutrition services to patients
Clinical and Out-Patient Dietitian
CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Hospital
05.2003 - 08.2005
- Provided medical nutrition therapy to in-patients, to include orthopedics, physical rehab, cardiac/CABG, pediatrics, labor and delivery, and med/surg
- Provided out-patient therapy, to include CHF clinic, cardiac rehab, senior wellness, diabetes education program, and general referrals
- Obtained a Medicare Provider Number
Education
Certification - Completion of Supervisory Practice Program
McNeese State University
Lake Charles, LA05.2003
Bachelor's Degree - Food and Nutrition
McNeese State University
Lake Charles, Louisiana05.2002
Skills
- Operational efficiency
- Verbal and written communication
- Problem-solving skills
- Written and verbal communication
- Microsoft Office Applications
Credentials
- RDN
- LDN
Job Related Training
- Currently in a CDR 5 year continuing education cycle that ends in 2029.
- Current ServSafe trained manager, instructor, and proctor.
- Contracted with Westwood Manor Nursing Center, DeRidder Retirement and Rehabilitation, Rosepine Retirement and Rehabilitation, and LaSalle Nursing Home for a combined 6 years of experience in nursing and rehabilitation centers.
Timeline
Clinical Nutrition Coordinator
CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Hospital
10.2012 - 02.2012
Director of Food and Nutrition Services
Byrd Regional Hospital
09.2012 - Current
Clinical Dietitian
Bayne-Jones Army Community Hospital
02.2012 - 09.2012
Director of Nutritional Services
Beauregard Memorial Hospital
08.2005 - 09.2007
Clinical and Out-Patient Dietitian
CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Hospital
05.2003 - 08.2005
Manager/Agent
Thib’s Pecan Cottage, LLC
09.1999 - Current
Bachelor's Degree - Food and Nutrition
McNeese State University
Certification - Completion of Supervisory Practice Program
McNeese State University
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