Clinical Dietitian II

CommonSpirit Health•Santa Cruz, CA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Dignity Health - Dominican Hospital is seeking a Clinical Dietitian to provide expert nutrition care and develop and implement individualized plans to improve patient health outcomes. The role communicates nutritional data across systems, participates in health team meetings as the nutrition expert, and provides empathetic, evidence-based care in accordance with professional standards. The dietitian performs nutrition screening and assessment using appropriate clinical guidelines, age- and gender-specific standards, cultural, religious, and ethnic considerations, and validated assessment tools. The role develops and carries out individualized nutrition interventions and education, monitors patient status and response to treatment, updates care plans, and documents measurable goals. The dietitian collaborates with interdisciplinary care teams and Food and Nutrition Services, and supports patient experience, quality reviews, clinical training, and the development of colleagues. The position routinely serves high-acuity patients and requires advanced competency in areas including neonatal and pediatric care, enteral and parenteral nutrition support, oncology, renal care, diabetes, and gerontology. For neonates and pediatric patients in California, nutrition services must be coordinated with California Children's Services; a CCS panel is required when providing nutrition care to NICU or pediatric patients at a CCS-approved facility.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree and completion of an accredited dietetics program (ACEND - Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics).
Three years of acute-care hospital or similar experience working with patients requiring more complex care for specialized populations.
Registered Dietitian credential (ADA/CDR or equivalent as listed in the posting), required upon hire.

Nice To Haves

Board Certification as a Specialist in Oncology Nutrition.
Board certification in pediatric nutrition.
Certified Nutrition Support Clinician credential.
Certified Diabetes Educator credential.
Lifestyle and Weight Management Consultant credential.

Responsibilities

Screen patients for nutritional risk in accordance with specialized clinical guidelines.
Perform nutrition assessments using appropriate age- and gender-specific standards, cultural, religious, and ethnic considerations, and validated tools; identify nutrition-related diagnoses when indicated.
Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to facilitate care and identify patients at nutritional risk or in need of a higher level of care.
Implement targeted nutrition interventions based on each patient's medical condition.
Provide customized nutrition education to patients, families, and caregivers.
Participate as a member of the multidisciplinary care team and contribute nutrition expertise to overall patient care.
Monitor, evaluate, and rescreen patients' nutrition status; update care plans and follow up as needed.
Develop nutrition intervention plans that specify the appropriate feeding route, mode, and prescription in accordance with physician orders and individual patient needs.
Evaluate patient response against measurable goals and document nutrition care plans and progress in the medical record in a timely and thorough manner.
For applicable California neonate and pediatric patients, coordinate nutrition services with California Children's Services.
Collaborate with Food and Nutrition Services on patient experience, test trays, menu reviews, trayline audits, and validation of menus against the facility Diet Manual Handbook and Nutrition Care Manual.
Maintain communication with patients, staff, and guests and provide excellent customer service.
Participate in peer reviews and chart audits, and help train clinical staff on the Diet Manual Handbook.
Support training and development of Clinical Dietitian I staff, dietitians, diet clerks, interns, and other positions as needed.
Lead or support Medical Nutrition Therapy training sessions and workshops for hospital clinical staff.
Provide advanced nutrition care to high-acuity patients in areas such as neonatal intensive care, pediatrics, enteral and parenteral nutrition support, oncology, renal care, diabetes, and gerontology.