Lead Registered Dietitian - Hartford - 40 hours/week

Connecticut Children's Medical Center • Hartford, CT

5d • Hybrid

About The Position

This role provides direct patient care, acting as a clinical mentor and leader for the Clinical Nutrition team. The Lead Registered Dietitian is responsible for coaching staff, leading patient care teams, and representing the department on various committees. The position also involves modeling evidence-based practice, leading research endeavors, and identifying opportunities for staff development. Administratively, the role includes managing a team of 5-10 Clinical Nutrition members, overseeing orientation, training, workflow, timekeeping, and performance input. The Lead RD is also responsible for identifying and resolving resource issues, leading quality improvement initiatives, and ensuring adherence to policies and procedures. They serve as a resource and mentor to staff, lead program development and training, and assist with electronic system updates. Performance management support and scheduling for the team are also key duties, along with demonstrating knowledge of population-specific needs and cultural sensitivity.

Requirements

• Bachelor or Master's of Science in Nutrition or completion of Didactic Program in Dietetics in accordance with Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) of the American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics leading to registration eligibility.
• Three - five years of recent acute care staff nutrition experience with inpatient population.
• American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Healthcare Provider required.
• Knowledge of Medical Nutrition Therapy in accordance with Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics standards.
• Knowledge of Medical Terminology.
• Knowledge of Drug Nutrient Interactions.
• Knowledge of Pediatric genetic/metabolic disease states.
• Knowledge of related accreditation and certification requirements; quality, safety, and infection control standards.
• Computer proficiency in Windows environment.
• Beginning to intermediate skill in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Power Point.
• Excellent Time Management, Organizational and Communication Skills.
• Advanced analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to work assigned off-shifts, including evenings, weekends & holidays.
• Ability to understand and interpret educational needs; determine training objectives; and to design, develop, implement, and evaluate training plans, curricula, and methodology.
• Ability to provide expert care and consultation to patients/families, demonstrate clinical competencies within specialty area, and assess the competencies of others.
• Ability to demonstrate all Connecticut Children’s Leadership competencies or potential to do so.
• Ability to assess performance of assigned therapists both clinical and behavioral via performance appraisal; and to serve as a coach, mentor or preceptor.
• Ability to utilize independent judgment to resolve problems and make decisions on routine managerial matters on assigned shift.
• Ability to hold assigned staff accountable for Connecticut Children’s core behaviors, role accountabilities, and professional development plan.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to ensure own reliable transportation to and from various locations in the State of Connecticut for service delivery.
• Ability to instruct patients/families in physical therapy methods and the use of facilities and equipment.
• Ability to ensure confidentiality of patient and employee information.

Nice To Haves

• Registered Dietitian (R.D.) with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) of the American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics preferred and required within 6 months of hire.
• CT State certification (CD-N) is preferred and required within 6 months of hire.
• Bilingual skills preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct patient care at least 50% of scheduled hours.
• Demonstrate advanced clinical practice in pediatric nutrition and serve as a clinical mentor for staff.
• Provide coaching regarding all clinical and non-clinical duties of the assigned Clinical Nutrition team.
• Lead patient care teams and represent the department on hospital-wide and/or community-based committees.
• Model evidence-based clinical care and lead staff in performing research endeavors, literature reviews, and presentations.
• Identify opportunities for staff development and partner with internal/external resources to implement action plans.
• Lead 5-10 full-time equivalent Clinical Nutrition team members as assigned.
• Responsible for orienting, training, checking the work of others, maintaining workflow status, tracking employee time, and providing input on performance and hire/fire decisions.
• Identify staff, equipment, supply, and service issues; communicate with appropriate personnel and follow through to resolve resource issues.
• Demonstrate commitment to continuous quality improvement; lead change processes by independently coordinating quality improvement activities for the department.
• Follow through to resolution issues identified in patient satisfaction surveys or through patient/parent complaint processes.
• Assist in coordinating day-to-day activities and operations of the assigned Clinical Nutrition teams and their areas.
• Ensure adherence to regulatory, organizational, and department policies and procedures.
• Serve as a receptor, mentor, and resource to staff.
• Lead Quality Improvement process (as well as HACCP) and utilize information to further enhance the quality of services provided by the department.
• Lead program development and staff education/training.
• Assist in the testing and coordination of electronic nutrition system updates and monitoring.
• Assist in the scheduling of the assigned Clinical Nutrition team and provide performance management support with the nutrition manager to Clinical Nutrition staff.
• Demonstrate knowledge of population-specific differences and needs of patients from neonate through adolescence, and apply them to practice.
• Demonstrate cultural sensitivity in all interactions with patients/families and co-workers.
• Demonstrate support for the mission, values, and goals of the organization through behaviors consistent with Connecticut Children’s STANDARDS.
• Assist in the oversight of inpatient and outpatient dietitian team for day-to-day activities according to hospital, department, and regulatory guidelines.
• Assist in leading process and quality improvement initiatives.
• Assist in leading HACCP projects and initiatives.
• Assist in scheduling of assigned clinical nutrition team, as well as overseeing of assignments.
• Assist in performance management, including annual team and competency reviews of the team as assigned.
• Provide team member coaching regarding job performance.
• Maintain team member adherence to organization and department policies, standards, and procedures.
• Provide input into the department of clinical nutrition leadership regarding departmental goals and role with organizational strategic goals.
• Assist with team member hiring, training, and onboarding.
• Monitor assigned staff productivity and hold staff accountable for achieving productivity goals.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior