Clinical Dietitian

University of Utah Health•Salt Lake City, UT

18d

About The Position

The Clinical Dietitian works with departmental and interdisciplinary health care teams to provide patient care aligned with patient-centered medical goals. The position assesses nutritional status, identifies nutrition concerns, and develops, implements, and evaluates nutrition care plans for patients at nutritional risk. It may provide nutrition support to specialized populations and may involve accessing and administering medications within the dietitian’s scope of practice and under state law. The role includes nutrition assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring, counseling, education, documentation, and collaboration with patients, caregivers, and other providers. The Clinical Dietitian may support nutrition research, manage training for interns and students, calculate macronutrients for total parenteral nutrition in specialized populations, and 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 licenses as determined by the hiring department.
Demonstrated potential ability to perform the essential functions of the position.
Ability to 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 varying levels of education and understanding.
Knowledge of nutrition-related order entry, including relevant lab values, swallowing evaluations, and inpatient or outpatient ancillary-service consults aligned with patients’ nutrition care plans.
Commitment to patient- and family-centered service, including respect, honesty, fairness, and a positive attitude toward customers.
Accountability in following HIPAA rules for use and disclosure of protected health information.
Advanced knowledge of human physiology, biochemistry, and metabolism as related 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/Medicaid payment.
Ability to meet the physical requirements with or without accommodation, including light work involving lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, or moving objects up to 20 pounds.

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 relevant data.
Organize assessment data, identify nutrition diagnoses, and determine when consultation or referral to another provider is needed.
Develop and prioritize nutrition interventions using evidence-based practice guidelines, and evaluate their effectiveness.
Define the timing and frequency of care, including intensity, duration, and follow-up, and modify care plans as needed.
Monitor and measure outcomes using relevant nutrition care indicators and compare findings with intervention goals.
Collaborate with health care providers, patients, 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 development and revision of specialized patient education materials, clinical forms, and protocols.
Serve as an advocate, resource, and liaison to nursing and medical staff to support patient nutritional care, education, and research opportunities.
Participate in outcome-measure initiatives, validate nutrition program performance, and create reports.
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 manage training for nutrition and dietetics interns and other health care 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 under the University of Utah Registered Dietitian Order Writing Protocol.