Clinical Dietitian

Independence Health System Careers•Greensburg, PA

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

Provides nutritional care for inpatients of all ages in accordance with the mission and goals established by the hospital and department management. Assists with responsibilities in areas of projects, performance improvement, competency assessment, peer review, development of policies and procedures and other nutrition related activities. Completes nutrition screening, assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring, and evaluation of patients based on the current Clinical Nutrition Standards of Practice. Performs nutrition focused physical exams. Identifies patients at risk for malnutrition. Diagnoses malnutrition and develops care plan. Determines plan for reassessment based on established standards and patients’ needs/status. Provides education and support to the patient and/or family. Researches and recommends products for inclusion into the Independence Health Enteral Formulary. Complies with completeness, accuracy, and timeliness of documentation. Develops an educational process for the provision and coordination of patient care activities that promote and maintain health and improve outcomes. Evaluates, creates, and revises education material related to disease management and enteral nutrition. Develops and conducts education programs for staff and community. Participates in the interdisciplinary education process to assess the patient's readiness to learn and educational barriers; tailoring the educational processes to meet the needs of the patient/family. Maintains a collaborative relationship with physicians and other health care providers to achieve desired patient outcomes and ensure interdisciplinary patient-focused care. Communicates pertinent information during interdisciplinary patient care rounds. Contacts physicians and advanced practice practitioners, as needed, to provide appropriate nutritional care for patients. Utilizes time efficiently. Adheres to scheduling and productivity guidelines. Assists with the development of policies, procedures, and tools, when needed, to improve nutrition processes and patient care. Assists with department performance improvement plan and interventions as assigned. Aids in collecting data and writing reports for presentation at nutrition support committee. Maintains registration and licensure status. Demonstrates awareness of strengths and limitation. Seeks guidance as necessary to address limitations and modifies behavior as needed. Participates in education experiences within the practice setting. Participates in program development designed to market and expand department services. Assists in preparation for surveys/inspections. Responds appropriately in emergency situations. Assists in maintaining a safe and clean environment for patients, visitors, and staff. Assists in maintaining manuals of meeting notes, communications, policies and procedures and performance improvement initiatives. Adheres to the infection control processes, including standard precautions, to reduce the risk of acquiring or transmitting infections. Serves as a clinical dietetic preceptor. Assists in planning and monitoring the daily clinical workload. Completes evaluation forms as requested by program. Provides constructive feedback and guidance. Demonstrates dietetic expertise in the management of enteral and parenteral feedings in a variety of complex medical and surgical conditions. Formulates appropriate nutrition support plan based on completed nutrition assessment. Coordinates implementation of nutrition plan with nursing, pharmacy, physician and patient. Monitors inpatient nutrition support, both enteral and parenteral nutrition. Effectively uses clinical judgment and reasoning when calculating and estimating patient’s nutritional needs and advises on appropriate routes of feeding to ensure provision of adequate nutrition. Works closely with the physician and pharmacist in recommending appropriate parenteral support. Aids in coordinating the transition of nutrition support upon discharge with the patient, family, nursing, physician, case manager and home health agency. Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Masters degree in Nutrition, Food or Dietetics (effective January 1, 2024).
Completion of Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) approved program leading to registration.
Six (6) to twelve (12) months of experience through approved accreditation program or related work experience for registry eligible dietitians.
Strong leadership ability.
Good organizational skills.
Independent and critical thinking skills.
Sound judgment.
Knowledge of legal aspects and liability of nursing practice.
Strong ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience.
Functional Skills on PC and Related Software (Microsoft Office).
Basic working knowledge of computers and office equipment.
Current Registration with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics or within six months of hire.
Current licensure with the PA Board of Nursing or within six months of hire.
Act 33 with renewal.
Act 34 with renewal.
Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Completes nutrition screening, assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring, and evaluation of patients.
Performs nutrition focused physical exams.
Identifies patients at risk for malnutrition, diagnoses malnutrition, and develops care plans.
Provides education and support to patients and/or families.
Researches and recommends products for the Enteral Formulary.
Ensures completeness, accuracy, and timeliness of documentation.
Develops and revises educational materials related to disease management and enteral nutrition.
Develops and conducts education programs for staff and community.
Participates in interdisciplinary education processes.
Maintains collaborative relationships with physicians and other healthcare providers.
Communicates pertinent information during interdisciplinary patient care rounds.
Contacts physicians and advanced practice practitioners as needed.
Utilizes time efficiently and adheres to scheduling and productivity guidelines.
Assists with the development of policies, procedures, and tools to improve nutrition processes and patient care.
Assists with department performance improvement plan and interventions.
Aids in collecting data and writing reports for the nutrition support committee.
Maintains registration and licensure status.
Demonstrates awareness of strengths and limitations and seeks guidance as necessary.
Participates in education experiences within the practice setting.
Participates in program development to market and expand department services.
Assists in preparation for surveys/inspections.
Responds appropriately in emergency situations.
Assists in maintaining a safe and clean environment.
Assists in maintaining manuals of meeting notes, communications, policies, procedures, and performance improvement initiatives.
Adheres to infection control processes.
Serves as a clinical dietetic preceptor.
Assists in planning and monitoring daily clinical workload.
Completes evaluation forms for dietetic interns.
Provides constructive feedback and guidance to dietetic interns.
Demonstrates expertise in managing enteral and parenteral feedings.
Formulates appropriate nutrition support plans.
Coordinates implementation of nutrition plans with healthcare teams and patients.
Monitors inpatient nutrition support (enteral and parenteral).
Uses clinical judgment to calculate nutritional needs and advise on feeding routes.
Recommends appropriate parenteral support in collaboration with physicians and pharmacists.
Coordinates the transition of nutrition support upon discharge.