Clinical Dietician

Job Summary

Clinical dietitians and nutritionists provide medical nutrition therapy. They create nutritional programs based on the health needs of patients or residents and counsel patients on how to lead a healthier lifestyle.

Essential Functions

• Keeps lines of communication open between Medical Staff and Dietary Department. Meets with Medical Advisor to discuss physician’s issues and medical/nutrition-related projects
• Interprets physician diet orders and modifies diet according to diet patterns and patient preferences
• Interviews patients assigned and document pertinent information on the appropriate nutrition documentation forms
• Instructs patients in diet principles and restrictions per physician diet order and documents pertinent information
• Provides substitutions if patient is unable to eat the meal provided, in accordance with diet restrictions
• Plans between-meal nourishments for patients as necessary
• Relates information on assigned patients to food production staff and Dietary Aides. This information is documented on the patient’s nutrition profile in the computer
• Completes daily calorie counts when ordered or initiated
• Completes a nutritional assessment on patients receiving a tube feeding or parenteral nutrition
• Computes nutritional value of recipes when necessary
• Completes diet histories for nutritional assessment on specific patients
• Evaluates appropriateness of diet order for diagnosis and recommends diet order changes as indicated
• Maintains updated and necessary patient education materials and nutrition references and textbooks
• Plans, coordinates and implements the department’s Quality Assurance Program
• Participates in the development of policies and programs directed toward patient and family education
• Assists in National Nutrition Education Week projects
• Participates in department and implementation educational programs and meets the mandatory in-service requirement in utilities management, infection control, safety and blood-borne pathogens
• Directs Dietary Aides in daily duties and offers in-service education
• Participates in patient care plan meetings, support groups as requested or deemed necessary, and Dietary Department management meetings
• Help build relationships with internal and external parties
• Responsible for support growth and program development and help navigate the patients through the program.
• Create presentations, summaries and helping materials to ensure better communication and transparency of program to Hospital leadership.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Minimum Education/Certifications
Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition or Dietetics, as well as the completion of an American Dietetic Association approved internship or clinical.

Registered Dietitian (R.D.)

Important Qualities
Analytical skills, compassion, listening skills, organizational skills, and problem solving skills.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work: Must be willing to work holidays, weekends and provide additional coverage as needed

Working Conditions:

• Works regularly under desirable conditions with little or no disagreeable features. Illumination and ventilation are good and distractions are at a minimum considering the type of work performed. Job may have risk of exposure to hazardous conditions and blood borne pathogens.
• Sedentary: lifting up to 10-20 pounds occasionally and /or negligible amount frequently. Employee will sit most of the time, but may walk or stand occasionally for brief periods. Knowledge of proper body mechanics is essential.
• Occasional forward bending, crouching, knelling, twisting, climbing, reaching forward or overhead and keyboard data entry.
• Deals with adults of diverse background on the job. Thorough knowledge of the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual needs of adults