Registered Dietician

Job Description

Job Summary:

• The dietitian plans and delivers nutritional care to patients according to up to date clinical standards and judgement.
• Performs as a member of the multidisciplinary care team and acts as a liaison between the dietary patient services staff and medical team.
• Screens newly admitted patients to identify those at nutritional risk and completes nutritional assessments on in-patient units assigned or based on departmental needs.
• Exercises independent judgement under the general supervision of the Patient Experience Manager/Clinical Nutrition Manager and General Manager of Food and Nutrition Services.
• Must adhere to all departmental policies and procedures.

Duties and Responisbilities:

• Prints and reviews of status boards from electronic medical record data daily to determine patient caseload based on criteria outlined in policies and procedures.
• Completes assessments, reassessments, and screenings based on priority level.
• Reviews the medical record and confers with the patient, family, and staff to evaluate patient’s nutritional status.
• Consults with Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, and Physician’s Assistants on appropriate nutrition interventions and care plans for patients.
• Assesses patients’ nutritional status and documents according to established standards from credentialed sources in combination with clinical judgement.
• Assesses, re-assesses, and follows up on patients based on timeframes outlined in policies and procedures.
• Incorporates the Nutrition Care Process standards when completing assessments.
• Utilizes the Nutrition Focused Physical Exam on patients, when appropriate, to accurately assess patients at risk for malnutrition.
• Interact professionally with patient/family.
• Provides nutrition counseling/education to patients and family members based on patient’s diet order, per Physician’s request, and/or per patient requests.
• Participates in medical/discharge rounds on an “as needed” basis.
• Completes nutritional assessments/counseling in out-patient clinic areas as needed or assigned.
• Completes daily productivity and submits information to Clinical Nutrition Manager/Patient Experience Manager each day worked.
• Completes test tray audits, or other audits as assigned, for food and nutrition services to evaluate quality standards.
• Participate in Performance Improvement activities as required.
• Assists in orienting and in-servicing new employees to department as required.
• Maintains a good working relationship with all hospital staff and volunteers.
• Conducts in-service as requested to hospital staff and the community.
• Assists in developing and implementing patient nutrition care programs and ensures consistency of programs.
• Involved in nutrition programs and efforts within the hospital and community.
• Treats patients, families, and staff with respect and dignity. I:\All_Depts\Human Resources\job description
• Demonstrates an ability to be flexible, organized and function under stressful situations.
• Performs all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors.
• Performs and assists with other duties as required.

Required Education:

• Completion of a Bachelor’s degree granted by an accredited college/university.
• Completion of an Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD).

Required Certifications & Licensure:

• Completion of an Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) accredited Dietetic Internship (DI) with a minimum of One Thousand (1,000) supervised practice hours.
• Proof of passing the national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) with current Registered Dietitian status.
• Participates in continuing educational requirements to maintain registration. Completion of Fifteen (15) continuing education credits annually and copies of certificates provided to Clinical Nutrition Manager/ Patient Experience Manager.

Preferred Certifications & Licensure:

• Certified Dietitian-Nutritionist (CDN) in state of New York.

Required Skills & Experience:

• Proficiency with Office PC’s, Desktops, and Laptop software in addition to familiarity with Microsoft Office softwares to include Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.
• Understand menu management software and electronic medical systems, or have previous experience and knowledge of these systems; specifically CBORD and Meditech.
• Use critical thinking and problem solving skills.
• Ability to adapt to a changing environment and handle multiple tasks as assigned.
• Good interpersonal skills a must.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Position may require prolonged periods of standing, walking, talking, sitting, hearing, lifting, and bending throughout the workday.
• May include some repetitive motions.

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• A minimum of One (1) year of clinical experience.