Dietician EX

• Under the direction of the CNM, and as a member of the interdisciplinary health care team, screens/levels patients for nutritional risk, assesses nutritional status and develops/implements nutrition care plans for identified patients considering individual and age-specific requirements.
• Develops, documents, and implements appropriate age-specific nutrition care plans for patients that contain objective, measurable goals. 
• Monitors and evaluates effectiveness of care plans in accordance with clinical section's standards, and revises care plan as needed to achieve therapeutic goals.
• Considers cultural and religious practices when planning patient meals and nutritional interventions. 
• Provides age-specific nutrition/diet/food-drug counseling and education to patients and/or family/care givers.
• Educates and guides medical, nursing and nutrition staff on fundamental clinical nutrition principles.
• Recommend and monitor modes of nutrition support (i.e., enteral nutrition, parenteral nutrition).
• Assists the CNM and/or SR Clinical Dietitian in performance improvement (PI) initiatives.
• Contributes to department goals by participating in staff inservices and department projects.
• Accountable for maintaining the confidentiality and security of all hospital-related, medical staff-related and patient-related data and information.
• Accountable to hospital and department policies and procedures as applicable.
• Provides superior customer service to internal and external clients, customers,
• and patients as referenced in the Service Excellence Standards.

Job Relationships: 

• Must be able to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, and work collaboratively with a variety of health care professionals, including physicians, nurses/nursing staff, other dietitians, speech-language pathologists, physical and respiratory therapists, etc.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with patients and families/care givers.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with Nutrition Assistants and food service employees.
• Communicates with CNM to keep him/her appraised of issues which may influence department/section function.
• On weekends and holidays, provide supervision to diet office personnel. Effectively manages clinical area on weekends and holidays.

Other Functions

• Maintains CEUs in accordance with Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) to maintain active registration status.
• Develops and presents inservices/presentations to department and/or hospital staff, including at least 1 presentation yearly.
• Participates on multidisciplinary committees as assigned.
• Demonstrates initiative to increase knowledge and skills and/or professional status (certifications, degrees, etc.)
• Adheres to all department sanitation practices and guidelines to prevent foodborne illness, possible spread of infection and to insure a safe and clean work environment.
• Attends all staff meetings and inservice programs as scheduled.
• Orients, supervises and directs the work of Nutrition Assistants as requested. 
• Orients, supervises and directs the work of Dietetic Interns as applicable.  Effectively precepts Dietetic Interns including correction of worksheets.   
• Reports immediately to a manager/supervisor any patient complaint.

Qualifications

 Minimum Education: 

• Bachelors degree in Nutrition (mandatory)
• Masters degree in Nutrition (preferred) 

Minimum Experience: 

• Completion of an ACEND approved internship or program.  If "registration eligible", successful completion of registration exam (i.e., Registered Dietitian status achieved) within 6 months of hire (mandatory)
• Internship or work experienced related to long-term care (preferred)
• Internship or work experience related to service area hired to cover (preferred)

Certification/Licensure: 

• Registered Dietitian (Mandatory)
• Registered Dietitian - Eligible (Mandatory within 6mo of employment)
• Commonwealth of Massachusetts License (Mandatory)
• Board Certification Nutrition Support (preferred, mandatory after 2 years of employment)
• Board Certification (Pediatrics, Renal, Diabetes)(preferred)

Minimum skills/abilities:

Entry-level clinical nutrition skills (mandatory)

Mid-level clinical nutrition skills (preferred)

Interpersonal and communication skills sufficient to perform prescribed duties effectively (mandatory)