CLINICAL DIETITIAN

Independence Health System•, PA

About The Position

The Clinical Dietitian provides nutrition care to patients in accordance with current Clinical Nutrition Standards of Practice, including nutrition screening, assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring, and evaluation. The role includes conducting nutrition-focused physical exams, identifying and diagnosing malnutrition, developing care plans, determining reassessment needs, educating patients and families, and supporting enteral nutrition formulary decisions. The dietitian documents care completely, accurately, and promptly. The position develops and coordinates patient-care education, including creating and revising educational materials and conducting programs for staff and the community. It collaborates with physicians and other healthcare providers to support interdisciplinary, patient-focused care and communicate relevant information during rounds. The Clinical Dietitian contributes to clinical performance improvement, policy and process development, regulatory readiness, safe and clean care environments, and department program development. The role maintains professional registration and licensure, mentors dietetic interns, and manages enteral and parenteral nutrition for complex medical and surgical conditions. It coordinates nutrition-support plans with patients, families, nursing, physicians, pharmacy, case managers, and home health agencies, including transitions of care at discharge. The incumbent is scheduled according to operational needs, which may include rotating shifts, standby, or on-call work. Local travel between system locations may be expected. The work involves direct patient care and physical activities including walking, standing, sitting, bending, reaching, carrying, and lifting; assistance or a transfer device is required for lifts over 50 pounds.

Requirements

Effective January 1, 2024, a master’s degree in Nutrition, Food, or Dietetics.
Completion of an Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics-approved program leading to registration.
Six to twelve months of experience through an approved accreditation program or related work experience for registry-eligible dietitians.
Strong leadership, organizational, independent and critical-thinking skills, sound judgment, and knowledge of legal aspects and liability of nursing practice.
Ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience.
Functional skills with a PC and related software, including Microsoft Office.
Basic working knowledge of computers and office equipment.
Current registration with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, or registration within six months of hire.
Current licensure with the Pennsylvania Board of Nursing, or licensure within six months of hire.
Act 33 clearance with renewal.
Act 34 clearance with renewal.
Act 73 FBI clearance with renewal.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in nutrition, Food & Nutrition, or a closely related field.
Experience in a healthcare setting.

Responsibilities

Complete nutrition screening, assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring, and evaluation in accordance with Clinical Nutrition Standards of Practice.
Perform nutrition-focused physical exams; identify patients at risk for malnutrition; diagnose malnutrition; develop care plans; and determine reassessment plans.
Provide nutrition education and support to patients and families, and evaluate, create, and revise education materials related to disease management and enteral nutrition.
Develop and conduct education programs for staff and the community, and participate in interdisciplinary education tailored to patients’ and families’ readiness and needs.
Research and recommend products for inclusion in the Independence Health Enteral Formulary.
Maintain complete, accurate, and timely documentation.
Collaborate with physicians and other healthcare providers, communicate pertinent information during interdisciplinary rounds, and contact physicians or advanced practice practitioners as needed.
Use time efficiently and follow scheduling and productivity guidelines.
Assist with developing policies, procedures, and tools to improve nutrition processes and patient care.
Assist with department performance-improvement plans, interventions, data collection, and reports for the nutrition support committee.
Maintain registration and licensure, recognize professional strengths and limitations, seek guidance when needed, and participate in educational experiences.
Participate in program development to market and expand department services.
Assist with survey and inspection preparation, respond appropriately to emergencies, and help maintain a safe and clean environment.
Maintain manuals of meeting notes, communications, policies and procedures, and performance-improvement initiatives.
Follow infection-control processes, including standard precautions.
Mentor dietetic interns, serve as a clinical dietetic preceptor, assist with planning and monitoring daily clinical workload, complete requested evaluations, and provide constructive feedback and guidance.
Develop nutrition-support plans for complex medical and surgical conditions, coordinate their implementation, and monitor inpatient enteral and parenteral nutrition.
Use clinical judgment to calculate and estimate nutritional needs and advise on appropriate feeding routes.
Work with physicians and pharmacists to recommend appropriate parenteral support.
Coordinate transition of nutrition support at discharge with patients, families, nursing, physicians, case managers, and home health agencies.
Perform other duties as assigned.