Dietitian Full Time

Kindred Healthcare•Conroe, TX

About The Position

The Dietitian at Cornerstone Specialty Hospitals Conroe is responsible for assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating patient nutritional care in accordance with applicable regulations, policies, standards, and evidence-based clinical guidelines. The role works closely with interdisciplinary teams to support quality nutritional outcomes and meet individual dietary needs through clinical consultation, menu oversight, education, and monitoring. The Dietitian conducts initial and ongoing patient assessments, prescribes and monitors nutrition therapy, documents care plans and education, participates in interdisciplinary care planning, and involves patients and families in nutrition goals. The role also supports patient rights and cultural or religious preferences, provides nutrition education, conducts meal rounds, and helps address concerns with diet or meal service. The position contributes to nutritional-care policies and procedures, quality assurance, kitchen safety and sanitation, survey readiness, committee work, and menu oversight. When the Culinary Services Manager is not a Registered Dietitian, the Dietitian reviews and approves patient menus, substitutions, café nutritional data, diet-order transcription, snack orders, and related food and supply processes. The Dietitian also trains managers and staff on therapeutic diets, menus, food allergens, and related topics.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited program in dietetics, nutrition, or a related field.
Registered Dietitian credential with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) upon hire.
State licensure or certification upon hire where required.
Knowledge of evidence-based clinical nutrition guidelines.
Ability to be accurate, concise, and detail-oriented.
Knowledge of quantity food production and safe food preparation and handling techniques.
Basic computer skills and working knowledge of Microsoft Office, word-processing, and spreadsheet software.
Ability to read, write, and speak fluent English.
Good and regular attendance.

Nice To Haves

SAFE Serve Certification upon hire or within the facility-specified time frame.
Prior experience in acute clinical care, nutrition support, and disease-specific nutrition.

Responsibilities

Maintain professional growth and development, complete annual competency testing, and maintain registration and any required licensure or certification.
Perform duties in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations, company policies and procedures, evidence-based clinical guidelines, and the defined scope of practice.
Participate in developing and implementing policies and procedures related to patient nutritional care.
Monitor kitchen quality assurance, spot-check logs, and conduct kitchen safety and sanitation audits and test-tray audits according to policy.
Participate in the survey process, instruct staff on conduct and disclosure, remain present while surveyors are onsite, and direct timely collection of requested information.
Serve on committees as required by company standards, regulations, or the immediate supervisor.
Conduct initial and ongoing nutritional assessments for patients admitted to the hospital.
Ensure completion of documentation, including assessments, care plans, education, and discharge planning.
Prescribe nutrition therapy to meet estimated needs, monitor tolerance, and reassess patients to ensure optimal therapy.
Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings to develop, implement, and monitor nutrition care plans.
Interview patients, families, legal representatives, significant others, and staff to obtain diet histories, food preferences, and other information needed for care planning.
Advocate for patients’ rights and accommodate individual needs and cultural or religious preferences.
Involve patients and families in planning patient objectives and goals.
Provide nutrition education individually and in classes to patients, families, staff, and the community as appropriate.
Conduct meal rounds to confirm patients receive nutrition therapy that meets their needs.
Coordinate with the Culinary Services Manager to resolve patient concerns or dissatisfaction with diets or meal service.
When the Culinary Services Manager is not a Registered Dietitian, oversee menu management, review and approve patient menus and substitutions, and review and approve nutritional data posted in the café.
Oversee transcription of diet orders, verify patient snack orders against diet orders and timely distribution, and support proper ordering of food and supplies as needed.
Train managers and staff as needed on therapeutic diets, menus, food allergens, and related topics.
Work cooperatively with employees in all hospital departments and routinely communicate issues, concerns, and improvement opportunities to the immediate supervisor.
Monitor industry trends, new products, current research, and new foodservice programs, incorporating them into work as needed.
Apply knowledge of growth and development across the lifespan to provide age-appropriate care to the patient population served.
Attend all mandatory in-services and staff meetings and perform other related duties as assigned.