Clinical Dietitian

Advocate Health • Kenosha, WI

4d • $29 - $43

About The Position

The Clinical Dietitian provides nutritional care to patients in accordance with physicians’ orders and standards of quality care, addressing patients’ age, psychosocial, and physical needs. The role reviews medical records, develops and implements medical nutrition therapy, monitors patients’ nutritional status and progress, and documents interventions in accordance with department standards and regulatory requirements. Within the scope of the MNT protocol, the dietitian may order diets, supplements, nutrition support, vitamins and minerals, and laboratory tests. The role also performs Nutrition Focused Physical Assessments for patients at moderate and high nutrition risk and supports high-risk populations to help prevent malnutrition and readmissions.

The Clinical Dietitian provides nutrition education to inpatients, outpatients, families, and the public through individual counseling, classes, and community education. Education is tailored to patient needs, readiness to learn, and learning barriers, and is documented appropriately. The dietitian communicates and collaborates with patients, families, department personnel, and other health care professionals; participates in meetings and committees; serves as a liaison on clinical nutrition practices; and mentors or precepts students, interns, and residents as assigned.

The position supports department compliance with policies, procedures, and DNV and local health department regulations. Responsibilities include participating in competency assessment and performance improvement programs, developing or revising nutrition education materials and departmental procedures as requested, supporting patient safety practices, and participating in the patient meal quality assurance program. The dietitian may also provide operational support to the Food and Nutrition Services department. The position requires recognizing and responding to the needs and behaviors of pediatric, adolescent, adult, and older-adult patients. The schedule is Wednesday through Friday, with rotating weekends and holidays; flexible hours and weekend hours may be required. Physical demands include standing for extended periods and lifting up to 35 pounds without assistance. For patient lifts over 35 pounds, or when a patient cannot assist, patient-handling equipment is expected to be used with another associate when available.

Requirements

• Graduate from a four-year accredited college with a degree in Nutrition or Dietetics, or equivalent.
• Successfully complete The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics registration requirements; registration by the Commission on Dietetic Registration is required, though RD-eligible candidates are considered.
• Licensed by the State of Illinois.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to respond to the needs of a diverse patient population.
• Ability to develop patient educational materials.
• Ability to stand for extended periods.
• Ability to lift up to 35 pounds without assistance; for patient lifts over 35 pounds or when a patient cannot assist, use patient-handling equipment with another associate when available.

Responsibilities

• Review medical records for pertinent data; develop and implement medical nutrition therapy and collaborate with the health care team.
• Monitor nutrition care, identify changes in patients’ nutritional status, and track progress.
• Document nutrition interventions accurately and promptly in accordance with department standards and regulatory requirements.
• Attend assigned meetings, rounds, and care conferences to coordinate nutrition goals.
• Within the MNT protocol, order diets, supplements, nutrition support, vitamins and minerals, and laboratory tests as indicated.
• Perform Nutrition Focused Physical Assessments on patients at moderate and high nutrition risk.
• Work with high-risk populations to help prevent malnutrition and readmissions.
• Document medical records in support of system coding standards and reimbursement rates.
• Evaluate diets for which nutrition consultations have been ordered and provide education appropriate to patients’ needs, readiness to learn, learning needs, and barriers.
• Provide nutrition education to inpatients, outpatients, family members, and the public through counseling, classes, and community education; document education accurately and promptly.
• Communicate positively and effectively with patients, families, department personnel, and other health care professionals while following HIPAA and patient privacy requirements.
• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings and pertinent committees as assigned.
• Serve as a liaison to physicians, house staff, nursing services, and Food and Nutrition Services associates regarding clinical nutrition practices, developments, and trends.
• Mentor students, interns, and residents as assigned and serve as an educational preceptor to dietetic interns and nutrition students.
• Support compliance with department standards, policies, procedures, and DNV and local health department regulations.
• Participate in the department competency assessment program, identify practice areas for assessment, assess skills and knowledge, and work with the Manager on improvement plans.
• Participate in the department performance improvement program and complete assignments to evaluate processes, resolve identified issues, and support quality patient care and customer satisfaction.
• Develop and revise nutrition education materials and departmental policies and procedures as requested.
• Support safety efforts by practicing hand hygiene, using patient identifiers, and using the safety event reporting system.
• Participate in the patient meal quality assurance program and provide operational support to the Food and Nutrition Services department as needed.
• Recognize the developmental levels and age-specific responses of pediatric, adolescent, adult, and older-adult patients and adapt communication accordingly.

Benefits

• Paid Time Off programs.
• Medical, dental, vision, life, and short- and long-term disability benefits.
• Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses.
• Adoption assistance and paid parental leave.
• Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs.
• Educational Assistance Program.
• Career development programs.
• Competitive compensation, premium pay for select circumstances, incentive pay for select positions, and opportunity for annual performance-based increases.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time