Clinical Dietitian II - Registered Dietitian - Nutrition Services- CMHHIP

State of Colorado•Pueblo, CO

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Clinical Dietitian II is a registered dietitian in the Nutrition Services Department at the Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Pueblo (CMHHIP). The position provides medical nutrition therapy to patients in a complex psychiatric hospital and works closely with departmental and interdisciplinary teams to support inpatient care. The role applies the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ Nutrition Care Process and Terminology to assess nutrition status, identify diagnoses, develop and deliver individualized care plans, and monitor and evaluate outcomes. The dietitian also manages food-service resources and clinical nutrition standards, menus, and protocols. The position is assigned to the Pueblo work location during scheduled work times, with a hybrid work arrangement offered; work arrangements may change. Shift details are discussed during the interview. Applicants from outside Colorado must relocate to Colorado before starting, at their own expense, and must maintain Colorado residency during employment. The recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

Requirements

Attach a current and valid Registered Dietitian license with the application; the posting also requires an active RD/RDN credential from the Commission on Dietetic Registration.
Have five years of relevant experience in an occupation related to the assigned work, or a combination of related education and relevant experience totaling five years.
Hold a bachelor’s degree in dietetics, food and nutrition, or a related area from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university, or a foreign equivalent.
If graduating after January 1, 2024, complete at least a master’s degree (or higher doctoral degree) from an ACEND-accredited college or university.
Complete required dietetics coursework and supervised practice through an ACEND-accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics.
Pass state-mandated direct-contact background checks, including CBI, CAPS, and drug screening; additional listed checks include fingerprint and name checks, court and Medicare fraud database checks, reference checks, professional license verification, and a Trails check.
Be able to read, write, and communicate fluently in English and successfully complete required employee orientation, clinical competency assessments, and safety and security protocols.
Be able and willing to conduct in-person nutritional consultations with mental health patients.
Maintain composure and comply with safety procedures in a high-security, locked psychiatric environment, including protocols for contraband, key control, and emergency de-escalation.
Demonstrate physical endurance to navigate a large, multi-building hospital campus, including extended walking, standing during interdisciplinary rounds, and moving safely through clinical units for patient assessments.
Complete a two-step tuberculosis screening upon hire and comply with annual influenza vaccination and other vaccinations required by the State of Colorado.
Comply with mandatory emergency reporting requirements and, if designated as a critical or essential employee, attend work during adverse weather, facility emergencies, or public health crises.
Disclose relationships with current or former patients as required by the posting and refrain from initiating or engaging in prohibited relationships with patients.
If a former State employee was disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination, disclose this on the application, explain why it should not disqualify the applicant, and provide the prior State employee number.
Document relevant work experience and qualifications in the official State of Colorado application; resumes and cover letters will not be reviewed for minimum-qualification screening.

Nice To Haves

Proficiency using Google Suite.
Proficiency with specialized clinical nutrition software for menu building and food-allergy tracking, as well as electronic medical record systems.
A master’s degree in nutrition.
Clinical experience providing medical nutrition therapy in an inpatient psychiatric, behavioral health, or high-security facility.
Experience evaluating and modifying institutional menus for dietary adequacy within budget, security, and facility constraints, and contributing to clinical protocols and standards of practice.
Practical experience managing texture modifications and complex multi-restriction therapeutic diets.
Familiarity with Joint Commission standards, CMS regulations, HIPAA guidelines, and continuous quality improvement processes.
Relevant years of State service experience.

Responsibilities

Independently assess patients’ nutrition status using food and nutrition history, anthropometric measurements, biochemical data, medical tests and procedures, nutrition-focused physical findings, and patient history.
Interpret and organize assessment information, compare it with relevant criteria and standards, and determine when consultation or referral to another healthcare professional is needed.
Identify and prioritize nutrition problems, and document diagnoses using standard terminology and PES (problem, etiology, signs/symptoms) statements.
Develop individualized nutrition intervention plans based on diagnoses, urgency, expected outcomes, available resources, standards of practice, and evidence-based guidelines.
Coordinate nutrition care with healthcare professionals while considering patients’ rights and expected outcomes.
Monitor and evaluate patient outcomes using indicators relevant to nutrition diagnoses, interventions, medical conditions, and quality goals.
Document accurate and timely Nutrition Care Process information in electronic medical records and maintain records of daily clinical activities.
Communicate nutrition recommendations in interdisciplinary meetings and rounds, provide nutrition-related in-services, and serve as a nutrition subject matter expert and resource.
Collaborate with food-service staff and other registered dietitians to ensure individualized nutrition care plans are followed.
Design and implement continuous quality improvement activities for nutrition care services, and use patient council feedback and surveys to improve food-service operations.
Collaborate across departments, serve on committees and oral boards, and participate in planning and implementing nutrition-related policies, procedures, and goals.
Assist in developing and revising patient and staff education materials, clinical forms, and protocols.
Follow requirements for the use and disclosure of protected health information and applicable state and federal regulations, licensing requirements, and accreditation standards, including Joint Commission and CMS requirements.
Create and finalize designated menus in compliance with regulatory standards, the diet manual, menu guide, and facility needs.
Use nutrition software to build and manage patient-specific menus, food allergies, and texture modifications.
Assess and update registered dietitian standards of practice at CMHHIP; recommend and evaluate clinical nutrition policies, procedures, protocols, and menus.
Participate in nutrition projects and communicate findings through reports, presentations, and other formats.
Develop an individualized professional growth plan based on competencies and performance indicators, and continue improving professional practice.
Communicate effectively with patients and staff through professional communication, writing, and presentations.
Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor or Appointing Authority.