Part time

Community Health Connections•Gardner, MA

36d

About The Position

The Nutritionist is an integral member of the team of primary care providers, nurses, clinical care managers care coordinators, medical assistants, and behavioral health professionals in our patient centered medical home. The Nutritionist will have a positive impact on the lives of vulnerable, underserved individuals and families living with complex and/or chronic medical and behavioral conditions. He/she will connect with patients in person on the phone and in the health center to provide support and education in improving their health, better understanding their illness and coordination of their care. Nutrition activities are designed to ensure that patients are able to access culturally and linguistically appropriate services in a timely and cost-effective manner. Future initiatives in growing this program may include development of group self-management classes.

Requirements

Registered nutritionist/dietitian specializing in medical nutrition therapy, weight management planning and diabetes self-management education (must have a Medicaid billable certification or license)
Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills in English
Ability to engage and positively influence others
Experience in working with an electronic health record preferred

Nice To Haves

Certified Diabetes Educator preferred
Bilingual (Spanish and/or Portuguese) is a PLUS

Responsibilities

Assesses, monitors and documents the nutritional status and nutritional needs of patients using established standards of care and practice guidelines
Provides nutritional counseling on an individual basis upon referral by clinicians as a part of the clinical treatment plan
Meets with patients on a regular basis to develop a plan of care and assess progress
Actively involves patient in goal setting utilizing motivational interviewing and teach back techniques
Assists in meal planning, label reading, carb counting, recognizing and responding to fluctuation in blood glucose and other relevant education for diabetic patients.
Provides education on specific diets for chronic diseases
Interacts with patients to identify and address member's barriers to receiving recommended health services, adhering to treatment plans made by providers, and becoming effective managers of their health
Partners with other team members utilizing an interdisciplinary approach in planning care and addressing any barriers to include accessing healthy food, behavioral health issues and social determinants of health
Ensures all programs are conducted in compliance with federal, state and local regulations.
Develops or acquires educational materials for individual and group use
Serves as a resource for health center staff and community partner agencies
Provides timely verbal and written communications with the provider, care coordinator, patients and their families
Works independently on special non-recurring and ongoing projects as needed
Participates in departmental, team, and organizational meetings, as well as QI projects, as assigned
Participates in continuing education programs and trainings to meet certification, funding, or regulatory requirements and to meet the needs of the community.