Outpatient Clinical Dietitian II - Pediatrics

UNC Health•Chapel Hill, NC

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Clinical Dietitian II works closely with the multidisciplinary healthcare team to coordinate evidence-based medical nutrition therapy that is integrated with patient-focused medical goals. The role applies the Nutrition Care Process, including nutrition-focused physical examinations, nutrition and malnutrition assessments, nutrition diagnoses, interventions, and monitoring and evaluation of patient progress. It uses practice-specific dietetics and, when available, evidence-based protocols and nutrition practice guidelines to determine interventions. The position requires extensive knowledge in the clinical practice area, demonstrated through experience and/or specialty certification. The dietitian manages resources cost-effectively, participates in compliance and quality-improvement efforts, and serves as a nutrition resource for the multidisciplinary team. The role may include team conferences, nutrition-related in-services, development and revision of hospital policies, community-based nutrition programs, and ongoing professional development. The Clinical Dietitian II also precepts interns and supports, models, and trains clinical dietitians in departmental and organizational core behaviors and responsibilities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from a US regionally accredited university or college, with coursework accredited or approved by ACEND.
For new graduates becoming licensed after January 1, 2024, a master’s degree in a related dietitian field.
Completion of an ACEND-accredited Coordinated Program in Dietetics or Dietetic Internship of at least 900 hours (1,200 hours for graduates of programs beginning in 2012).
Registered Dietitian (RD) credential from the Commission on Dietetic Registration.
North Carolina Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist (LDN) license; certain positions may allow licensure within one month of hire.
Three years as an RD, including two years in the clinical specialty, or three years of nutrition experience in a tertiary-care teaching hospital plus specialty certification; alternatively, five years of experience as an RD.
If the candidate has fewer than five years of experience, certification in the clinical specialty, an advanced degree, or approval to practice in a specialized role where certification does not exist is required. Certain positions may allow certification within six months of hire or by the next offered exam date if the candidate has completed the required educational preparation.
Maintain specialty certification until the RD has at least five years of experience, or longer if required for certain positions, or have at least five years of RD experience.
Knowledge of the Nutrition Care Process and ability to apply all of its steps.
Comprehensive knowledge and application of medical nutrition therapy.
Ability to understand and implement Motivational Interviewing.
Critical-thinking, decision-making, problem-solving, and collaboration skills.
Ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally with patients, the public, hospital and medical staff, and physicians.
Ability to function independently on assigned patient-care units and to counsel and educate others.
General knowledge of nutrient-analysis, word-processing, and spreadsheet software.

Responsibilities

Assess nutritional needs using standardized practice and critical thinking, and identify nutrient requirements according to patients’ age, disease, and individual needs.
Demonstrate clinical and age-specific competency as assessed through competency tools, chart audits, tests, and observation.
Serve as a resource for the assigned clinical team and as a liaison between medical specialties and ancillary services.
Assist with compliance with Joint Commission, CMS, HFAP, and other accrediting-agency standards to improve safety, care quality, and organizational performance.
Attend medical rounds, patient-care conferences, and continuing education and staff meetings; participate in quality-improvement initiatives and cross-training.
Develop, implement, and monitor nutrition-care plans; participate in discharge planning; and provide education using established behavioral-change techniques.
Document all aspects of nutrition care in the medical record and complete clinical nutrition workload in a timely manner in compliance with regulatory standards.
May lead, direct, and manage work assigned to others within the department.
Create or update evidence-based protocols in the clinical practice area and train others to ensure nutrition therapy practices are current and meet established guidelines.
Identify professional-development needs and mentor others in the clinical practice area.
Precept clinical nutrition interns throughout the year as assigned.
Participate in clinical research, on-the-job training, or quality-improvement projects relevant to the practice area.
Lead efforts to measure quality in the clinical area across structures, processes, content, and outcomes; design and test interventions to improve practice quality; and serve on cross-functional quality teams.