Inpatient Clinical Dietitian

Lexington Medical Center • West Columbia, SC

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Clinical Dietitian is responsible for nutrition care for clients in assigned settings and overseeing oral, enteral, and parenteral nutrition support for the assigned population. The dietitian screens, assesses, educates, monitors, and evaluates patients according to established practice guidelines and Nutrition Services policies, and coordinates care with the health care team. The role provides developmentally appropriate care for infant, child, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients and designs nutrition strategies intended to promote lifelong health and minimize health- and disease-related risk factors.

The position contributes to nutrition screening parameters, protocols, policies, and performance improvement activities. It applies the nutrition care process, evidence-based practice, applicable laws, regulatory standards, and the ADA Code of Ethics. The dietitian communicates nutrition information to patients, families, caregivers, and colleagues, and serves as a preceptor and guide for dietetic interns and students. The role also includes ongoing professional development, effective use of resources, documentation, and adherence to service, safety, sanitation, attendance, and workplace policies.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Nutrition and Dietetics or a related field; a bachelor's degree may substitute if the candidate achieved active Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) status before January 1, 2024.
• Registration through examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the American Dietetic Association.
• Current license to practice dietetics in South Carolina.
• Registry-eligible candidates may be considered if they document eligibility and complete the registration examination and obtain a South Carolina dietetics license within six months of the start date as a condition of continued employment.
• Demonstrated competence to provide developmentally appropriate care for infants, children, adolescents, adults, and geriatric patients.
• No minimum years of experience required.

Responsibilities

• Oversee oral, enteral, and parenteral nutrition support for the assigned population.
• Screen, assess, educate, monitor, and evaluate patients according to practice guidelines and Nutrition Services policies.
• Collaborate with patients, families, and caregivers to assess needs, set priorities and goals, develop individualized care plans, and monitor progress.
• Coordinate patient care with members of the health care team.
• Contribute to the development of nutrition screening parameters, protocols, and policies.
• Perform nutrition screening and other nutrition risk identification procedures according to policy.
• Use relevant data to identify nutrition-related problems and document nutrition assessments and diagnoses.
• Plan and implement nutrition interventions, including patient education, and identify patient goals and outcomes.
• Monitor and evaluate progress toward desired nutrition care outcomes.
• Evaluate nutrition care processes and patient outcomes and participate in department- and hospital-wide performance improvement data collection.
• Apply scientific principles, research, theory, and best available evidence to clinical dietetics practice.
• Share knowledge with patients, families, and health care team members, and precept or guide dietetic interns and students.
• Contribute to the development of new knowledge and services.
• Use practice guidelines, references, and the nutrition care manual, while considering safety, effectiveness, and cost.
• Engage in lifelong learning, conduct self-assessments, identify professional development needs, and document professional development activities.
• Conform to policies and attendance requirements, maintain a professional demeanor, provide excellent customer service, and observe safety and sanitation rules.
• Maintain a clean, comfortable work environment and perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Day-one medical, dental, and life insurance benefits for benefit-eligible employees.
• Health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSAs).
• 403(b) match plan enrollment beginning day one; employer matches dollar for dollar up to 6%.
• Employer-paid life insurance equal to one times salary.
• Optional supplemental life insurance with low-cost premiums, up to three times salary.
• Adoption assistance.
• Employer-paid short-term and long-term disability coverage for full-time employees after 90 days of eligible employment.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Student loan forgiveness.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level