Clinical Dietitian III

Emory•Decatur, GA

About The Position

Provides advanced Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) to patients with complex medical conditions in inpatient and outpatient hospital settings. Works independently, regularly taking responsibility for complex cases, and supports the care provided by Level I and II dietitians. Coordinates patient care with physicians, other healthcare personnel, and Food and Nutrition Services (FNS), including participation in rounds, discharge planning, and care conferences as appropriate. Uses the Nutrition Care Process to assess patients, develop and implement nutrition care plans, monitor progress, document care, and address malnutrition. The role includes coordinating clinical workload, mentoring and evaluating dietitians, precepting interns, developing learning experiences, and providing education to staff, patients, caregivers, and other professional audiences. The dietitian contributes to quality and process improvement, clinical policy and protocol development, research or data collection as applicable, and department, hospital, or system committees. The position also requires maintaining credentials and professional competency, including continuing education and participation in a related professional organization.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Food and Nutrition or Dietetics.
Registered with the Commission on Dietetic Registration.
Maintain either a specialty certification in an approved nutrition-related area or a master's degree in Nutrition, Dietetics, or a related field.
Three years of experience as a dietitian in a clinical setting.
Licensed as a dietitian in the State of Georgia.
Maintain competency in adult and geriatric nutrition.
Competent in basic computer skills, including diet management software.

Responsibilities

Provide and document Medical Nutrition Therapy for patients with complex medical conditions in inpatient and outpatient settings, in compliance with applicable standards and hospital protocols.
Assess patients and develop, implement, and evaluate nutrition care plans using the Nutrition Care Process; monitor progress according to the patient's medical condition.
Confirm and assess diet orders, implement or adjust oral, enteral, or parenteral nutrition prescriptions, and document changes in the medical record.
Conduct physical assessments and identify and provide nutrition diagnoses and interventions for malnutrition.
Coordinate nutritional care with physicians, healthcare personnel, FNS, and other members of the healthcare team; participate in rounds, discharge planning, and patient care conferences as appropriate.
Coordinate and redistribute clinical workloads among team members to support patient care and continuity of care.
Serve as a clinical MNT resource for Level I and II dietitians and support their patient care.
Mentor Level I and II dietitians; participate in their performance evaluations and conduct performance appraisals as assigned.
Precept and independently evaluate dietetic interns; develop and revise learning experiences, assignments, and internship modules in the area of clinical expertise.
Train and guide dietetic interns and dietitians in patient physical assessment.
Participate in Food and Nutrition Department, hospital-wide, and system-wide committees.
Develop, participate in, and revise clinical policies, protocols, and patient care guidelines for areas of specialization.
Identify process improvement opportunities, propose solutions, coordinate implementation, and conduct quality and performance improvement activities and monitoring.
Provide feedback to dietitians and other staff and participate in performance evaluation of co-workers.
Provide nutrition counseling to patients and caregivers and use, revise, and help develop patient education materials.
Educate FNS staff and other professional staff through in-services, seminars, patient-unit education, written materials, or other educational activities.
Develop and implement system-wide nutrition-related events and contribute to nutrition-related hospital events as appropriate.
Coordinate appropriate implementation of patients' cultural, religious, ethnic, or medical dietary requirements with FNS.
Apply knowledge of food safety and sanitation; serve as a resource to FNS staff and evaluate or recommend nutritional products and supplies as appropriate.
Participate in research and data collection related to the job assignment and apply or participate in evidence-based research to enhance practice.
Maintain required credentials and competency in adult and geriatric nutrition; complete an average of 15 nutrition-related continuing education units annually.
Initiate development of a Commission on Dietetic Registration portfolio reflecting professional and career goals and actively participate in a related professional organization.
Participate in orientation for new clinical dietitian employees and demonstrate application of at least one new skill or work approach annually.
Serve as a nutrition resource to the community through education as appropriate.