Registered Dietitian (Spanish Bilingual)

JOB PURPOSE:

PACE Registered Dietitian

Job Summary Responsible for providing comprehensive assessment and nutrition treatment and coordination of 24-hour care for PACE participants as part of the interdisciplinary team. Plans, organizes, and conducts a comprehensive program of individual and group nutrition services including provision of nutrition needs of the participant, clinical guidance, nutrition education and counseling to meet normal and therapeutic needs.

Education & Experience: Bachelor's Degree from an accredited Dietetics program.

License Requirements: License, Registration, and / or Certification Requirement: Yes

Current registration to practice as a Registered Dietitian through the Commission on Dietetic Registration- Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

New York State license: Certified Dietitian Nutritionist (CDN)

Experience:

A minimum of one year experience in clinical nutrition.

Have one-year experience with the frail or elderly population. Home Care experience preferred.

Physical:

Other:

Skill requirements : Adaptability, flexibility, and problem-solving skills.

Language Ability : Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, and government regulations. Ability to use basic office computer programs, write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions form managers, participants, customers and general public.

Essential Functions of PACE Registered Dietitian

• Performs initial face-to-face assessment and evaluates nutritional status of individual participants utilizing nutritional guidelines, professional knowledge and interviewing skills to provide quality care. Performs reassessment as required.

• Evaluates participant’s physical condition and calculates therapeutic diets to meet the specific requirements of individual patients. Recommends to team on the plan of care and status of participant progress.

• Provides clinical recommendations and creates orders to reflect the individualized needs of each participant, under the approval of the Primary Care Physician/Nurse Practitioner.

• Maintains an up to date file of all participants at assigned location to include their diet order, modifications, allergies, restrictions, and likes/dislikes as well as their Annual Assessment date.

• Establishes nutritional plans on assessment of participant’s condition, monitors participant’s progress and recommends/revises changes in nutritional plan for effective participant care.

• Develops and implements the nutrition care plan to promote, restore, or maintain the participant’s optimum nutrition status, ensuring integration into the interdisciplinary team plan of care. Monitors effectiveness and outcomes regularly and keeps the team informed as to participant progress and level of independence.

• Documents changes in the participant’s condition and details care provided by completing all required PACE documentation and ensuring compliance to Agency standards and policies.

• Monitors participant progress and outcomes through assessment of care provided, including need for revision to treatment plan. Coordinates with other members of the interdisciplinary team to ensure that the comprehensive plan of care is followed and revised as needed.

• Provides nutrition counseling to participants and/or caregivers utilizing educational materials, modified diets and teaching aids to ensure participants understanding of the overall plan of care and its implications.

• Participates in PACE in-service education programs, quality review, and interdisciplinary team care planning meetings, morning report, change of status and service delivery meetings as requested by management. Consults with team members on hard to service cases.

• Acts as a liaison with other community agencies to gather and disseminate information on nutrition trends and changes.

• Travels to participants’ homes and/or other facilities with varying environments (e.g., elevated buildings, walk-ups, care facilitates, single/multiple family homes, presence of pets, etc.) using approved transportation options to deliver direct care to the participant.

• Assists center caregivers by working with center manager to recommend solutions regarding specific nutritional needs.

• Conducts Dining/Meal Observation as directed by site manager.

• Evaluates the need for home delivered meals and maintains a up to date working file of current participants.

• Evaluates the need for nutritional supplements and maintains an up to date working file. Instructs participants/caregivers/family members and other staff members in proper use. Education of staff member will include but is not limited to providing in-service training as needed and evaluating and documenting the competency of staff where appropriate.

• Works with Nutrition Services Team and center staff to create activities, diet groups, programs, cooking demos, and educational activities.

• Assumes responsibility for continued professional growth by maintaining professional memberships and annual professional certifications.

• Assumes responsibility for monitoring and assisting with the CACFP grant.

• Participates in special projects and performs other duties as assigned.

• Meet a standard set of competencies for the specific position description established by the organization and approved by CMS before working independently.