Clinical Dietitian

University of Utah Health•Salt Lake City, UT

17d

About The Position

The Clinical Dietitian works with the departmental and interdisciplinary health care team to provide patient care that is integrated with patient-centered medical goals and objectives. The role assesses patients’ nutritional status, identifies nutrition concerns, and develops, implements, and evaluates nutrition care plans for patients at nutritional risk. It may include providing nutritional support to specialized populations and accessing or administering medications within the scope of practice and state law. The position provides nutrition counseling and education, collaborates with patients, families, caregivers, and health care providers, supports nutrition-related research and outcome measurement, and may manage total parenteral nutrition macronutrient calculations or enter nutrition-related orders under the University of Utah Registered Dietitian Order Writing Protocol.

Requirements

Registered Dietitian credential with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Current license to practice as a Certified Dietitian in the State of Utah.
Additional license requirements as determined by the hiring department.
Ability to perform the essential functions and provide care to the population served.
Knowledge of life-span growth and development principles.
Ability to assess patient-status data and provide care according to departmental policies and procedures.
Computer literacy, including word processing, nutrient analysis, and spreadsheet software.
Human relations and effective communication skills.
Ability to educate individuals with different levels of education and understanding.
Knowledge of nutrition-related order entry, including relevant laboratory values, swallowing evaluations, and inpatient or outpatient ancillary-service consults aligned with patients’ nutrition care plans.
Service excellence in patient- and family-centered care, demonstrating respect, honesty, fairness, and a positive attitude toward customers.
Accountability in complying with HIPAA rules for use and disclosure of protected health information.
Advanced knowledge of human physiology, biochemistry, and metabolism as they relate to clinical nutrition status, food chemistry, nutrient composition, and dietary analysis.
Knowledge of applicable CMS Conditions of Participation and/or Conditions of Coverage for Medicare and Medicaid payment.

Nice To Haves

Two years of clinical or practical experience.
Nutrition Focused Physical Exam (NFPE) training.
Current Certified Nutrition Support Clinician (CNSC) credential.

Responsibilities

Conduct comprehensive nutritional assessments by collecting, recording, and interpreting data from patients, families, caregivers, and other sources.
Organize assessment data, connect nutrition parameters to diagnoses, and determine when consultation or referral to another provider is needed.
Develop nutrition intervention plans, prioritize interventions, and use evidence-based practice guidelines to evaluate effectiveness.
Define the timing, frequency, intensity, duration, and follow-up of care, modifying plans as needed.
Monitor nutrition care outcomes using relevant indicators and compare findings with goals.
Work cooperatively with health care providers, patients, clients, and caregivers to implement and communicate nutrition care plans and expected outcomes.
Provide nutrition counseling and education to patients, families, caregivers, and the community.
Ensure state and local certification requirements for health, safety, and quality standards are met.
Conduct in-services and educational presentations for hospital and department staff, and oversee the development and revision of patient education materials, clinical forms, and protocols.
Act as an advocate, resource, and liaison with nursing and medical staff to support communication, patient nutrition care, education, and research opportunities.
Participate in outcome-measure initiatives and create reports to validate nutrition program performance.
Maintain accurate records of daily clinical activities, including scheduling and billing information.
Participate in departmental and interdisciplinary meetings, task forces, and projects.
Create and maintain training programs and train nutrition and dietetics interns and other health profession students in the specialty area.
May manage total parenteral nutrition macronutrient calculations for specialized populations.
May conduct or collaborate in nutrition research.
May enter nutrition-related orders as defined by the University of Utah Registered Dietitian Order Writing Protocol.