Associate Dietitian

Fresenius Medical Care•Claremore, OK

About The Position

The Associate Dietitian is a Registered Dietitian in training with less than one year of clinical experience. Working under the direct supervision of a qualified renal dietitian, the Associate Dietitian provides nutritional services to in-center patients while gaining the experience required by CMS to become a qualified dietitian. The position does not independently complete patient assessments, develop plans of care, or take responsibility for QAPI program review. The role supports patient-specific nutrition goals and quality improvement, follows FMCNA compliance and regulatory requirements, and supports the company’s mission, vision, values, customer service philosophy, and Quality Enhancement Program. The Associate Dietitian works with patients, caregivers, physicians, facility staff, and the interdisciplinary team to provide nutrition education, review relevant laboratory results, monitor nutrition therapy, and support patient care.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition or a directly related field.
Registered Dietitian credential through the Commission on Dietetic Registration.
Current state licensure, if applicable.
Less than one year of clinical experience.
Work under the direct supervision of a qualified renal dietitian; the supervising company Registered Dietitian must have at least three years of renal dietitian experience.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Drive company culture through values and customer service standards and provide outstanding service to internal and external customers.
Develop and maintain effective relationships through timely communication; respond to, resolve, and follow up on customer service issues.
Calculate diet prescriptions according to standards of practice and evaluate patients’ knowledge of diet and kidney disease.
Complete Nutrition History forms for use by a CMS-qualified dietitian in completing patient assessments.
Provide patient-specific nutrition education to patients, families, and caregivers, considering their learning styles and preferences.
Review nutrition-related laboratory results; counsel patients or caregivers and formulate appropriate actions to support effective nutritional status.
Communicate laboratory results and recommended treatment changes to the interdisciplinary team, physicians, facility staff, and other patient-care providers as appropriate.
Monitor adherence and response to nutrition therapy and address barriers to achieving patient goals.
Review each patient’s albumin level and body weight at least monthly; identify patients who are malnourished or at risk and collaborate with the interdisciplinary team on interventions and resources.
Involve patients, families, and caregivers in nutrition improvement goals and identify candidates for physician referral for nutritional supplements when appropriate.
Assist with fluid and volume management and provide fluid and sodium education as appropriate.
Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team on mineral metabolism and renal bone disease, anemia and iron status, nutrition, psychosocial status, vascular access, modality, rehabilitation, and sodium/volume control.
Participate in Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement and Plan of Care meetings with a CMS-qualified dietitian, as well as other pertinent staff meetings.
Help ensure work areas are safe and clean and participate in pharmacy-related responsibilities, including setup, enrollment, and management.
Participate in lobby days and educate patients on emergency preparedness as it relates to food and nutrition.
Conduct staff in-services as needed or requested and follow FMCNA algorithms and medical record policies.
Maintain and improve professional knowledge and skills; maintain dietetic registration and continuing education hours as required by the American Dietetic Association and applicable state licensure regulations.
Escalate issues to a supervisor as needed, assist with assigned projects, and perform other related duties as assigned.