Clinical Dietitian 1 - HYBRID

University of Miami•Miami, FL

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The University of Miami/UHealth department of Neurology has an exciting opportunity for a Part Time Clinical Dietician 1 to work in Miami, FL. The Clinical Dietitian 1 coordinates, plans, and conducts programs to educate patients about nutrition. Additionally, the Clinical Dietitian administers medical nutrition therapy and advises food service operations for assigned facilities. The Clinical Dietitian (RD) provides specialized medical nutrition therapy to patients with neurological conditions including movement disorders, muscular dystrophy, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The Clinical Dietitian develops and implements individualized nutrition care plans to optimize nutritional status, preserve functional ability, manage disease-related complications, and improve overall quality of life. The Clinical Dietitian collaborates closely with the interdisciplinary team in outpatient settings. This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities as necessary.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in relevant field required
Vaild State of Florida Dietitian/Nutritionist (LDN) license required
Minimum 1 year of relevant experience required
Learning Agility: Ability to learn new procedures, technologies, and protocols, and adapt to changing priorities and work demands.
Teamwork: Ability to work collaboratively with others and contribute to a team environment.
Technical Proficiency: Skilled in using office software, technology, and relevant computer applications.
Communication: Strong and clear written and verbal communication skills for interacting with colleagues and stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

Refer to department description for applicable certification requirements

Responsibilities

Plans menus and inspects food to ensure portions adhere to set restrictions and dietary standards.
Assesses patients’ nutritional status and develops individualized nutritional plans.
Relays appropriate information regarding patient care to the collaborating physician.
Assists in managing family dynamics and coping mechanisms during acute and chronic phases of patients’ care.
Triages patients to determine the urgency of physician evaluation.
Documents and reports care in an accurate and timely fashion.
Collaborates with the development of educational materials.
Identifies and accounts for specific ethnic, cultural, and religious needs.
Responds to, resolves, and follows up regarding patient inquiries or concerns.
Adheres to University and unit-level policies and procedures and safeguards University assets
Conduct thorough nutrition assessments including anthropometrics, biochemical data,swallowing status, gastrointestinal function, dietary intake analysis, and functionalstatus.
Develop and implement individualized nutrition care plans for patients with: Dysphagia and aspiration risk, Unintentional weight loss or hypermetabolism (common in ALS), Constipation and GI motility disorders, Feeding fatigue and prolonged mealtimes, Protein-energy malnutrition
Monitor tolerance and adequacy of oral, enteral, and tube feeding regimens.
Identify malnutrition risk, unintentional weight loss, sarcopenia, dehydration, andfeeding difficulties.
Adjust macronutrient and micronutrient recommendations based on diseaseprogression and metabolic changes.
Movement Disorders (e.g., Parkinson’s disease): Educate on protein distribution to optimize levodopa absorption, Address constipation and hydration strategies, Manage weight fluctuations due to tremors or dyskinesia.
ALS and MDA multidisciplinary clinics: Monitor rapid weight loss and hypermetabolic needs, Counsel patients and families on PEG tube placement and enteral feeding, Recommend high-calorie, high-protein oral strategies early in diseaseprogression, Provide guidance on texture modification in coordination with SLP, Prescribe and manage enteral feeding regimens, Adjust feeding plans as disease progresses, Collaborate on end-of-life nutrition decisions consistent with patient goals.
Work closely with multidisciplinary teams: neurologists, speech-language pathologists,respiratory therapist, physical and occupational therapists, nurses, and social workers.
Participate in multidisciplinary clinics
Contribute to case conferences and care planning meetings.
Develop and implement individualized, evidence-based nutrition care plans tailored todisease state, metabolic demands, swallowing ability, and patient goals.
Establish calories, protein, and fluid requirements based on clinical conditionand disease progression.
Prescribe appropriate diet modifications (e.g., high-calorie/high-protein, texture-modified diets, enteral nutrition).
Design meal strategies to address fatigue, prolonged mealtimes, and impairedmotor function.
Monitor tolerance and effectiveness of oral, supplemental, and enteral feedingregimens.
Adjust nutrition interventions as disease progress or clinical status changes.
Document assessments, nutrition diagnoses, interventions, and monitoring outcomes inthe EMR and in the ALS Toolkit