Inpatient Clinical Dietitian

Bronson Healthcare Group • Kalamazoo, MI

8d • Onsite

About The Position

The clinical dietitian serves as a member of a multidisciplinary healthcare team and provides patient-centered care. The role assesses nutrition needs; develops and implements nutrition care plans; evaluates and reports outcomes; interprets and applies current nutrition research; and coordinates work in accordance with department policies, procedures, and healthcare-team goals. The dietitian sets priorities, meets deadlines, and promotes positive patient outcomes while interacting with patients, caregivers, families, and healthcare professionals.

Using a team-based approach and evidence-based guidelines, the dietitian provides care that supports patient needs, diversity, and cultural factors. The role also provides individual or group education for patients, the community, and staff as needed, and participates in improving community health and well-being. Employees providing direct patient care must demonstrate skills and competencies specific to the population served.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Dietetics or Nutrition.
• A master’s degree is required for individuals becoming Registered Dietitians in 2024 and thereafter; RDs who graduated before 2024 are not required to have a graduate degree.
• Completion of a supervised practice program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).
• Must obtain Registered Dietitian or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist credential from the Commission on Dietetic Registration within six months of hire.
• Demonstrated computer competency, including ability to use an Electronic Medical Record; training will be provided.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills and ability to manage several projects simultaneously.
• Demonstrate skills and competencies specific to the patient population served when providing direct patient care.

Nice To Haves

• Additional certification, progress toward certification, education, or experience may be required depending on the department and position.
• For Diabetes Education positions, applicants may need to obtain CDCES credentials and complete insulin pump training and certifications.
• Depending on department and practice area, additional competencies may include nutrition-focused physical examination, motivational interviewing, and MNT/DSME billing in outpatient care areas.

Responsibilities

• Use nutrition screening criteria and review medical records to identify patients at increased nutritional risk in assigned inpatient units, clinics, and outpatient nutrition counseling.
• Monitor anthropometric, biochemical, laboratory, feeding-skill, intake, diagnosis, and chronic-condition information to identify ongoing nutritional risks during hospitalization and outpatient treatment.
• Assess and document nutrition status by evaluating intake, physical, anthropometric, biochemical, and laboratory data; feeding skills and behaviors; and clinical signs and symptoms of nutritional deficiency, inadequacy, excess, or toxicity.
• Identify nutrition problems and establish and document age- and disease-specific nutrition interventions as part of each patient’s overall plan of care.
• Review medical records and observe patients’ responses to nutrition care, identify unresolved or new nutrition problems, and adjust nutrition plans accordingly.
• Apply current dietary guidelines and standards of care in health and disease to patient care and education.
• Assess patient and family education needs and develop and document teaching plans with patient-focused outcomes.
• Participate in developing and documenting discharge or discontinuation-of-care plans, monitor progress toward discharge, and update nutrition plans as needed.
• Document follow-up plans, including what follow-up will occur, when, and where, when applicable.
• Provide phone follow-up when indicated and support continuity of care with primary care providers and dietitians providing follow-up care.
• Review patient records and analyze nutrition-related data for process improvement and compliance.
• Provide patient, community, and staff education individually or in groups as needed.
• Coordinate activities according to department policies and procedures and healthcare-team goals; set priorities and meet deadlines.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time