Clinical Dietitian, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Nova Scotia Health and IWK Health•Halifax, NS

1d•CA$37 - CA$52•Onsite

About The Position

IWK Health is a respected academic health sciences centre located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, providing tertiary and primary care for two million children, youth, adults and families each year across the Atlantic region. We have a team of approximately 4000 employees, physicians, volunteers and learners at sites across Nova Scotia. People build careers with IWK Health with our focus on training and mentorship opportunities. We recognize each other’s talent and celebrate our successes. We collaborate in modern facilities or virtually from home, align our work to our values, and enjoy access to enhanced benefits and wellness programs. We are proud to support our patients, families and communities and are grateful for the generous donor support we receive. Promoting an anti-racist environment, and calling out discrimination as we work and provide care, is important to us. We are located in Mi’kma’ki, the unceded and ancestral territory of the Mi’kmaq people. Working in Mi’kma’ki and providing care to those across Atlantic Canada is a shared privilege with the original inhabitants who have lived here for many thousands of years prior to colonization. There are 13 First Nation communities across Nova Scotia, and more than 50 historic African Nova Scotian communities who also have a long, deep, and complex history dating back over 400 years. We have the highest percentage of people with disabilities in the country. Nova Scotia has the highest proportions of transgender and non-binary people than any other province or territory in the country. We are active in our work to eliminate discrimination, but have more work to do to build that trust, acknowledge our biases and reduce the barriers our diverse communities face. We want IWK Health to be a safe and supportive space of equity and belonging in the care we provide and the employment we offer. We welcome all interested persons who self-identify as Indigenous, Black/African Nova Scotians, Persons of Colour, Immigrants/Newcomers, Persons with Disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ to apply to support our goal for our workforce to be representative of the patients, families, and communities that we care for at all job levels. The OpportunityReporting to the Manager, Neonatal Care Team, the Clinical Dietitian is a key member of the interprofessional NICU Care Team. The role of the Dietitian is to work collaboratively with the team to develop a plan of nutritional care to meet the nutritional needs of infants admitted to NICU. The Dietitian is recognized as the expert in neonatal nutrition and shares this expertise through education with medical/nursing/allied health staff. The Clinical Dietitian provides assessment, intervention, and follow-up (as indicated) on a direct, consultative or monitoring basis. The Clinical Dietitian consults and collaborates with health care providers regarding clients. The Clinical Dietitian participates in the professional development of services through care team meetings, working groups, and sub-committees as appropriate. The Clinical Dietitian shares responsibility with all dietitians to provide caseload coverage throughout the Health Centre, as well as weekend standby and call back coverage, as required. The Clinical Dietitian works in collaboration with the Professional Practice Leader for issues pertaining to professional standards of practice. The Clinical Dietitian will assist in the education of IWK Health staff, dietetic interns, and affiliating students on normal and therapeutic nutrition, in accordance with the mission, vision, and philosophies of the IWK Health Centre. The Dietitian will also work collaboratively with the Family Newborn Care Unit team (as needed) for any advanced nutritional needs of their long-stay infants.Hours of WorkMonday to Friday 8am until 4pm (call shifts on weekends); 75 hours bi-weekly.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree with major credits in nutrition or dietetics required
Graduate of a Dietitians of Canada accredited Dietetic Internship Program
Licensed member of the Nova Scotia Regulator of Dietetics (NSRD), or eligible for licensure
Member of Dietitians of Canada (DC), or eligible for membership
Advanced Food Safety training
Previous experience in a health care setting required
Previous experience as a Clinical Dietitian required
Demonstrates ability to work collaboratively as a key member of NICU multidisciplinary team as well as the ability to work independently.
Demonstrates thorough knowledge of neonatal/pediatric enteral and parenteral nutrition.
Demonstrates understanding and commitment to Family Integrated Care as a guiding principle for NICU care.
Demonstrates commitment to the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFI) to protect, promote and support breastfeeding.
Excellent interpersonal, presentation and communication (verbal & written) skills.
Excellent time management, organization and problem-solving skills.
Demonstrates thorough knowledge of human nutrition and critical illness, and integrates knowledge, evidence, and skills to the nutrition treatment of neonates, infants, and pediatric patients and specifically neonatal medical/surgical conditions.

Nice To Haves

Masters degree preferred
Minimum two (2) years hospital clinical experience in neonatal or pediatric care preferred
Minimum two (2) years hospital clinical experience with parenteral nutrition preferred
Competencies in other languages an asset.

Responsibilities

Work collaboratively with the NICU Care Team to develop a plan of nutritional care to meet the nutritional needs of infants admitted to NICU.
Act as the expert in neonatal nutrition and share this expertise through education with medical/nursing/allied health staff.
Provide assessment, intervention, and follow-up on a direct, consultative or monitoring basis.
Consult and collaborate with health care providers regarding clients.
Participate in the professional development of services through care team meetings, working groups, and sub-committees.
Share responsibility with all dietitians to provide caseload coverage throughout the Health Centre, as well as weekend standby and call back coverage, as required.
Work in collaboration with the Professional Practice Leader for issues pertaining to professional standards of practice.
Assist in the education of IWK Health staff, dietetic interns, and affiliating students on normal and therapeutic nutrition.
Work collaboratively with the Family Newborn Care Unit team (as needed) for any advanced nutritional needs of their long-stay infants.