Clinical Dietitian

Tenet Healthcare•Detroit, MI

12d

About The Position

The Clinical Dietitian reports to the Manager and conducts nutrition assessments for patients identified at nutritional risk to determine an appropriate nutrition therapy plan. Assessments include review of medical and medication or herbal supplement histories, anthropometric measurements, laboratory values, and diet history, as well as consideration of age-specific factors, cultural and religious practices, and barriers to learning. The dietitian develops individualized Nutrition Care Plans that address nutrient requirements and nutrition education as appropriate, collaborating with medical staff, nursing, speech-language pathology, and other hospital personnel. Assessments are documented in patient records using DMC-approved documentation. The role also serves as a nutrition resource for hospital personnel and medical staff; participates in multidisciplinary rounds, education, research, and nutrition-related programs; and supports dietetic interns. Additional duties include working with outside agencies to obtain assistance for patients, maintaining and improving hospital and departmental processes, ordering supplies, overseeing foodservice personnel and patient adherence to dietary regimens, formulating special recipes or plans, and promoting good customer service and the values of DMC.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition/Dietetics.
Dietetic internship in a healthcare setting, or completion of a supervised practice program at a healthcare facility, community agency, or foodservice corporation, or a program combined with graduate or undergraduate studies. Programs are usually 6 to 12 months long.
Registration with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, or eligibility to pass the registry exam within 6 months of completing the internship.
Registration with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is required when working with patients with inherited metabolic disorders.
Analytical ability to determine patient needs, develop plans, and assess progress.
Interpersonal, written, and verbal skills to develop and explain patient nutrition care plans, make presentations, and interact effectively with hospital personnel, medical staff, patients, and their families.

Responsibilities

Conduct nutrition assessments for patients identified at nutritional risk and develop appropriate nutrition therapy plans.
Evaluate patients’ medical history, medication and herbal supplement history, anthropometric measurements, laboratory values, diet history, age-specific factors, cultural and religious practices, and barriers to learning.
Develop Nutrition Care Plans addressing patients’ nutrient requirements and nutrition education needs.
Collaborate with medical staff, nursing, speech-language pathology, and other appropriate hospital personnel in patient assessments and care planning.
Document nutrition assessments in patient records using DMC-approved documentation.
Serve as a nutrition resource for hospital personnel and medical staff, participate in multidisciplinary rounds, and provide nutrition-related education to departments.
Research and develop programs for dietetic interns and provide specialized and general nutrition instruction to them.
Participate in research projects and nutrition-related programs.
Work with outside agencies to obtain ongoing assistance for patients as appropriate.
Maintain hospital and departmental policies, procedures, and objectives; participate in process improvement and provide input on improving care quality.
Inventory and order office and tube-feeding supplies.
Monitor and direct foodservice personnel to ensure patients receive optimal nutritional food service, and follow up with patients regarding adherence to dietary regimens.
Formulate special recipes or plans to meet specific patient needs.
Promote guest relations and provide quick, courteous customer service.
Demonstrate behaviors supporting quality, community welfare, respect and involvement, teamwork, effective communication, innovation and education, and efficient resource use.