Job Description

Overview:

The Clinical Dietitian works with the interdisciplinary healthcare team to ensure optimum care for both inpatients and outpatients by completing medical nutrition therapy assessments, instructions and care plans. Participates on committees and hospital rounding teams. Provides presentations and learning opportunities for community.

The Clinical Dietitian in the Nutrition Services department will perform an annual competency evaluation and complete annual evaluations for the clinical aspects of all Dietitian positions. All patient menus, recipes and nutrient values will be placed in room serve choice and updated when changes are made, and reviewed annually.



Responsibilities:

Patient Assessment

Screens both inpatients and outpatients for nutritional risk using established protocols and per policy.


Maintains adequate patient case load with appropriate prioritization of patient consultations.


Participates in patient rounding.


Provides medical nutrition therapy, education and resources to both the hospital staff and community.

Administrative

Interacts with the Patient Room Service Team regarding patients' meal plans, allergies, meal intake, special food requests, snacks and other food needs.


Documents and records timely and appropriately in electronic medical record on patients.


Documents according to established guidelines/protocols/critical pathways and maintains updated records of inpatients.


Keeps thorough and accurate records on outpatients and sends completed report to physicians.

Patient Education/Intervention

Provides medical nutrition therapy, education and resources to both the hospital staff and community.


Provides nutritional instruction and consultations that is age and disease specific for a variety of individuals and/or families that will meet their needs and personal preferences.


Interacts with physicians and other medical personnel as part of the patient care team.

Professional Growth

Focuses on personal development areas, engaging in professional/collegial interactions with peers and students.


Works collaboratively with peers and other health care providers by participating in on-going in-services and educational seminars.

Compliance/Safety

Responsible for reporting any safety-related incident in a timely fashion through the Midas/RDE tool; attends all safety-related training programs; performs work in a safe manner; monitors work environment for possible safety issues and ensures others are also performing work in a safe manner.


Stays current and complies with state and federal regulations/statutes and company policies that impact the employee's area of responsibility.


If required for the position, ensures all certifications and/or licenses are up-to-date and valid prior to expiration dates.


Completes all company mandatory modules and required job-specific training in the specified time frame.


Accurately completes all manual and electronic forms.


Adheres to regulatory and organizational standards affecting patient care and safety as well as all hospital and departmental policies and procedures.


Ensures registration is up-to-date and valid prior to expiration dates.


Qualifications:

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Nutrition, Food and Nutrition, Dietetics, Nutritional Services, Human Nutrition or related field- Required

Master's Degree in Nutrition, Public Health, or related field from accredited university- Preferred

Certification & Licensures

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR)- Required

Registered Dietitian Nutrition eligible by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) with registration obtained within 3 months of hire- Required

Advanced Practice or specialist certification in diabetes, weight management/other- Preferred

Experience

Experience as a Registered Dietitian in Healthcare- Preferred

Member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics- Preferred

Experience with Enteral / Tube Feedings (TPN) - Preferred



Healthcare is a rapidly changing environment and technology is integrated into almost all aspects of patient care. Computers and other electronic devices are utilized across the organization and throughout each department. Colleagues must have an understanding of computers, and competence in using computers and basic software programs.