Clinical Dietitian

Tenet•Detroit, MI

11d

About The Position

The Clinical Dietitian reports to the Manager and assesses patients identified as being at nutritional risk to determine nutrition therapy that meets their assessed needs. Assessments include review of medical and medication or herbal supplement histories, anthropometric measurements, laboratory values, and diet history. They also consider age-specific factors, cultural and religious practices, and barriers to learning, including physical, emotional, language, cognitive, and motivational factors. The dietitian develops nutrition care plans tailored to identified needs, including nutrient requirements and nutrition education when appropriate, in collaboration with medical staff, nursing, speech-language pathology, and other hospital personnel. Assessments are documented in patient records using DMC-approved documentation. The role provides nutrition expertise and education to hospital personnel and medical staff, participates in multidisciplinary rounds, and contributes to dietetic intern education and nutrition-related research and programs. It also includes coordination with outside agencies, support for departmental policies and quality improvement, ordering supplies, oversight of foodservice personnel, and customer service. The dietitian helps ensure patients receive appropriate nutritional food service and follow their dietary regimens, and formulates special recipes or plans to address individual patient needs.

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 in combination with graduate or undergraduate studies.
Registration with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, or eligibility to pass the registry exam within six months of internship completion.
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 families.

Responsibilities

Assess patients identified as being at nutritional risk and determine appropriate nutrition therapy.
Evaluate 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 individualized nutrition care plans, including nutrient requirements and nutrition education as appropriate.
Collaborate with medical staff, nursing, speech-language pathology, and other hospital personnel in completing assessments.
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 interns.
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; contribute to process improvement and high-quality patient care.
Inventory and order office and tube-feeding supplies.
Monitor and direct foodservice personnel to help ensure optimal nutritional food service for patients, and follow up with patients regarding adherence to dietary regimens.
Formulate special recipes or plans to meet patients’ specific needs.
Promote guest relations and provide quick, courteous customer service.
Demonstrate behaviors supporting quality, community welfare, respect and involvement, teamwork, open and effective communication, innovation and education, and efficient and effective resource use.