POSITION SUMMARY:
The Registered Dietitian II plays a key role in the management of complex dietary regimens, prevention and management of metabolic crises, education, coordination of care, clinical audit and research. The Registered Dietitian II is a specialty nutritionist who assesses and coordinates diet therapy and nutrition education activities for patients with complex nutritional needs (such as inherited metabolic disease, renal failure, bariatric surgery, eating disorders, etc). Plans and provides nutritional care to patients by interpreting and adapting physician prescribed diets to individual needs. Evaluates and assesses patient responses to diet therapy though direct interview, calculating nutrient intake and lab values, monitoring tolerance of foods or tube feedings.
Position: Registered Dietitian II (Inpatient, Lead, Nutrition Support)
Department: Nutrition – Clinical
Schedule: Full Time
ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Provides nutritional care when consulted for malnourished and/or critically ill patients; evaluates patient’s nutritional needs and develops nutritional care plan; determines solutions for total parenteral nutrition and tube feedings when appropriate and submits to MD for approval as well as chart in the medical record.
- Monitors patients daily to assess nutritional status, i.e., reviews daily intake, laboratory values, coordinates with respiratory therapist measurement of indirect calorimetry for appropriate patients, assists MD in interpreting results and modifying nutrition support based on results.
- Prepares diet plans for the patient’s who transition from TPN to nutritional supplements and regular food. Provides all formal Nutrition Support consults and rounds with attending physician.
- Is a member of the Nutrition Support Team.
- Attends weekly rounds with Nutrition Support Team to present patient care plans.
- Reviews MD prescription for patient’s feedings and interviews patients to obtain information regarding food habits for guidance in planning diet.
- Assesses nutritional status based on laboratory values, medical and nutritional history and medical/surgical condition; develops nutritional care plans based on this information in accordance with accepted (ADA) standards of practice and written department protocols.
- Uses the SOAP or DAR format to document this in the patient’s medical charts.
- Consults with physicians regarding possible changes in diet orders.
- Develops and plans individual diet including necessary supplements and/or tube feedings; monitors tube feedings for tolerance and assists MD in determining increases in rate, changes in tube feeding products and strength as appropriate.
- Instructs patients and their families, singularly and in groups, regarding diet therapy after hospitalization; i.e., the principle of nutrition, the purpose and use of diet, food selection and preparation, and adopting food plans to individual needs.
- Participates in the development and implementation of health care programs for high-risk patients. Participates in weekly medical and social service rounds to receive information on condition, treatment, and discharge planning of patients on wards; discusses dietary requirements and treatment and diet plans and case studies.
- Participates in food evaluation and product testing; evaluates commercially prepared supplements and beverages and recommend usage based on nutritional content and patient and patient response, evaluates food served for quality and compliance with dietary prescriptions.
- Participates in developing policy and procedures, CQI monitors, guidelines and standards of care, records and calculates results in clinical projects.
- Also participates in selection of enteral formulary.
- Provided in-service education in nutrition to hospital personnel (MD’s, residents, students, nurses, dietary personnel); compiles and develops educational materials for use in individual and group classes.
- Attends Grand Rounds, Medical, Surgical and Pediatric conferences; attends and participates in professional meeting to share information when appropriate.
- Provides technical guidance to all staff and directs distribution of daily workload.
- Assists with interviewing new perspective dietitians and conducts training for new employees.
- Acts as coordinator and preceptor in the education/training of dietetic interns and medical students from universities and hospitals; supervises the student’s practical experience; develops Learning Activities Package.
- Provides nutritional care to children with organic and non-organic failure-to-thrive conditions; evaluates patient’s nutritional needs and develops a nutritional care plan.
- Monitors patients daily to assess nutritional status, i.e., reviews lab values, percentage of fat, anthropometric measurement.
- Determines formulas for intensive care-neo-natal patients with MD and monitors patient’s progress, as monitored by Pediatric RD.
- Instructs primary caretakers on the preparation of formula, and sets up the follow-up care in clinics.
- May be available for consultations in outpatient clinics.
- Performs all functions of an Assistant Dietitian and Registered Dietitian I.
- Utilizes hospital’s behavioral standards as the basis for decision making and to support the hospital’s mission and goals.
- Follows established hospital infection control and safety procedures.
- Performs related duties as needed.
JOB REQUIREMENTS:
Education:
- Master’s degree required in Nutrition or related discipline OR
- Bachelor’s degree with CNSD and/or specialty certification.
Certificates, Licenses, Registration Required:
- Must be registered by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
- LDN (Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist) preferred.
Experience:
- Must have at least two years experience as a Clinical Dietitian in an acute care setting.
Knowledge and Skills:
- High level of clinical understanding of metabolism in relation to clinical nutrition; knowledge of food chemistry and macro/micro nutrient composition of foods.
- Requires the interpersonal skills sufficient to explain procedures to patient, and alleviate apprehensions, as well as effectively interact with physicians, fellows, nursing, etc.
- Superior analytical skills to interpret laboratory data, identify and plan individual weight loss programs and assess diet plans and their physiologic effect.
- Ability to work in a fast paced changing environment
- Basic computer proficiency inclusive of ability to access, enter, and interpret computerized data/information.
Nutrition Support/TPN Experience required
Req id: 24134
Source: Indeed.com
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