Clinical Registered Dietitian - Food and Nutrition (Days)

Tanner Health System•Carrollton, GA

73d•Onsite

About The Position

The Clinical Dietitian works closely with the multidisciplinary healthcare team to provide inpatient care that is integrated and compatible with the patient-focused medical goals and objectives. Primary responsibilities include the application of the Nutrition Care Process (NCP) including, completion of the nutrition assessment, determination of the nutrition diagnosis, developing and implementing nutrition intervention(s), and monitoring and evaluating the patient's progress. The Clinical Dietitian uses the Scope of Dietetics Practice Framework (SODPF) to determine the scope of practice, established Standards of Practice and Professional Performance (SOP/SOPP) in nutrition care and practice-specific dietetics, and, as available, evidence-based practice protocols/nutrition practice guidelines to help determine nutrition intervention(s). The Clinical Dietitian also assists in the management of resources cost-effectively and participates in compliance and quality performance improvement efforts to ensure that nutrition care is safe and effective. The Clinical Dietitian is an integral part of the multidisciplinary team, is involved in team conferences, provides food and nutrition-related in-services, and contributes to the development and revision of hospital policies. The Clinical Dietitian also may be involved in community-based nutrition programs and maintains the professional competency and skills required for professional practice.

Requirements

Ability to communicate effectively, both verbal and written, with patients, physicians, and staff.
Ability to write letters, summaries, and reports.
Position requires a Bachelor's Degree from a 4-year college or university.
Position requires completion of 900 hours of supervised practice from accredited CDR program
Position requires registration with the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and the State of Georgia Licensed Dietitian status throughout employment.

Responsibilities

Assesses patients' nutritional status, identifies appropriate interventions and consults with physicians and other healthcare professionals in development of nutrition care plan for patients using the Nutrition Care Process. Medical Nutrition Therapy performed and documented in compliance with TJC and hospital protocol. Effectively apply evidence- based research to enhance practice. Develop and implement nutrition care plans, monitor progress as appropriate for patient's medical condition. Provides education as appropriate to patients and caregivers. Participate in medical rounds, discharge planning and patient care conferences as appropriate for the clinical assignment.
Confirm diet order, assess appropriateness, implement, manage or adjust diet prescription for oral and/or enteral/parenteral nutrition; according to hospital protocol and document changes in the medical record. Develop and implement nutrition care plans, monitor progress as appropriate for patient's medical condition. Coordinate appropriate implementation of cultural, religious, ethnic preferences or medical requirements with FNS. Customizes menus for therapeutic diets based on medical and physical condition of patients and integrates individual patient menus with basic THS cycle menu
Initiate development of Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) portfolio to reflect professional and career goals. Maintain licensure and registration by participating in continuing education activities. May participate in local, state and national dietetics organizations. Maintains all records and reports necessary to comply with government licensing and credentialing agencies and TJC standards, regulations and codes.
Resource on nutrition to physicians, nurses and other allied health professionals. Communicate and interpret nutrition information to other staff during physician rounds or patient care conferences. Participate in nutrition-related hospital events such as National Nutrition Month. May develop written material intended for benefit of staff. Provide in-service education to professional staff on patient care units and FNS staff. Participate in community outreach speaking engagements, health fairs, etc.
Responsible for providing Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) to patients in an inpatient and outpatient hospital setting. Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) includes assessment, nutrition diagnosis, and intervention to manage patient care. Coordinates nutritional aspects of patient's care with physicians and health care personnel. Utilizes the Nutrition Care Process to document in the medical record. Demonstrates knowledge of specific issues directly related to age of patient population. Demonstrates knowledge of pain management -- specifically the impact pain may have on the patients' nutritional status
Complies with all HIPPA, OSHA, TJC, CMS, Critical Access, State of Georgia and Carroll and Haralson County regulations for the provision of food and nutrition services
Maintains friendly, efficient Customer Service attitude when interfacing with patients, staff, physicians and visitors.
Participates in meal rounds, test trays, tray audits and other performance improvement activities to improve patient satisfaction
Performs any other related duties as assigned to meet the daily operational needs of the Food and Nutrition Services Department
Uses telephone , voicemail, calculator, computer, email, Meditech, Internet Search and scales according to established procedures