Dietitian

Fresenius Medical Care•Beaumont, TX

About The Position

Provides nutritional services for the facility’s in-center and home patients, as applicable, to maximize patients’ nutritional status and improve clinical outcomes. As a member of the interdisciplinary healthcare team, supports the FMCNA commitment to the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAI) activities, and participates in process improvement aimed at helping patients achieve individualized, physician-determined goals. Assesses patients’ knowledge of diet and kidney disease and provides education tailored to their learning needs. Provides patients and their families or caregivers with detailed, patient-specific education about nutritional status, adequacy measures and results, fluid status, and nutrition-related laboratory parameters. Completes nutritional assessments, participates in interdisciplinary comprehensive assessments, and helps develop written, individualized plans of care in accordance with applicable federal and state requirements. Calculates diet prescriptions according to standard practice and documents care in accordance with company policies and applicable regulations. Provides ongoing nutrition assessment and outcome-oriented counseling. Identifies patients who are malnourished or at risk, reviews albumin and body weight at least monthly, and works with the interdisciplinary team and patient or caregiver to implement appropriate interventions. Monitors adherence and response to nutrition therapy, adjusts therapy as needed, documents barriers to goal achievement, and implements plans to address those barriers. Collaborates with the interdisciplinary team on recommendations related to Urea Kinetic Modeling and Kt/V, mineral metabolism and renal bone disease, anemia and iron status, nutritional and psychosocial status, vascular access, modality, rehabilitation, and sodium and volume control. Reviews nutrition-related laboratory results, counsels patients or caregivers, recommends treatment changes, and communicates results and recommendations to physicians, facility staff, and care providers in nursing facilities as appropriate. Coordinates Pre-ESRD education and, when appropriate, works with the Case Manager to coordinate education plans and identify candidates for physician referral for nutritional supplements. Participates in QAI reporting and activities, staff and care plan meetings, and other applicable meetings. Consults with the FMS Corporate Dietitian as needed, maintains professional knowledge and skills, and maintains dietetic registration and continuing education as required by the American Dietetic Association and applicable state licensure regulations. Helps ensure work areas are safe and clean and performs other nutrition management and related duties as assigned. The role involves work in a healthcare facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise; exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials may occur. Daily work includes desk and personal computer tasks and interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians. Travel between assigned facilities and community locations is required; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may also be required. No supervisory responsibilities are specified.

Requirements

Registered Dietitian credential as per the Commission on Dietetic Registration.
Current state licensure, if applicable.
At least 1 year of professional work experience in clinical nutrition as a Registered Dietitian.
Demonstrated leadership competencies and skills, including teaching ability, strong organizational skills, excellent communication, customer service, relationship development, results orientation, team building, and decision making.
Ability to perform responsibilities with minimal supervision.
Basic computer skills.
Maintain dietetic registration and continuing education hours as specified by the American Dietetic Association and applicable state licensure regulations.

Nice To Haves

Board Certified Specialist in Renal Nutrition certification is encouraged.
Previous renal experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

Assess patients’ knowledge of diet and kidney disease and provide education appropriate to their learning needs.
Educate patients, families, and caregivers about nutritional status, adequacy measures and results, fluid status, and nutrition-related laboratory parameters.
Complete nutritional assessments and participate in interdisciplinary comprehensive assessments.
Help develop written, individualized comprehensive plans of care with the interdisciplinary team.
Calculate diet prescriptions according to standard practice.
Complete progress notes for chronic dialysis patients and maintain accurate medical records in accordance with company policies and applicable regulations.
Provide ongoing nutrition assessments and counseling to support effective nutritional status.
Identify patients who are malnourished or at risk for malnutrition and collaborate on appropriate interventions and resources.
Review each patient’s albumin level and body weight at least monthly and implement the plan of care with patient, family, or caregiver involvement.
Monitor adherence and response to nutrition therapy, adjust therapy as needed, document barriers to goals, and implement plans to address them.
Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team on Urea Kinetic Modeling recommendations to achieve the physician’s Kt/V prescription.
Collaborate on management and recommendations related to mineral metabolism, renal bone disease, anemia and iron status, nutrition, psychosocial status, vascular access, modality, rehabilitation, and sodium and volume control.
Adhere to FMCNA algorithms and medical record policies.
Report nutrition QAI results and participate in the interdisciplinary QAI program.
Coordinate with team members in providing Pre-ESRD education as appropriate.
Work with the Case Manager when appropriate to coordinate patient education and identify candidates for physician referral for nutritional supplements.
Review nutrition-related laboratory results; counsel patients or caregivers, formulate appropriate actions, recommend treatment changes, and communicate results and recommendations to relevant care providers.
Participate in staff meetings, quality improvement meetings, care plan meetings, and other applicable meetings.
Consult with the FMS Corporate Dietitian regarding nutrition concerns as needed.
Maintain and improve professional knowledge and skills, dietetic registration, and required continuing education.
Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team to ensure work areas are safe and clean.
Perform other nutrition management and related duties as assigned.