Outpatient Registered Dietitian

Boston Medical Center•Boston, MA

About The Position

Under the supervision of the Outpatient Nutrition Manager, the Outpatient Registered Dietitian assesses, develops, and coordinates medical nutrition therapy and education for outpatient patients with complex nutritional needs related to acute and chronic diseases. Conditions include medical weight loss, malnutrition, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, irritable bowel syndrome, and chronic kidney disease. The dietitian plans and provides nutrition care in accordance with department policies and procedures, tailoring dietary interventions to each patient’s nutritional status, environmental or social barriers, and cultural background, and using appropriate counseling modalities. The role evaluates patient compliance and physiological response to diet therapy through interviews, laboratory values, and monitoring food or tube-feeding tolerance. It coordinates with other providers on patient care plans and contributes to complex dietary regimens and protocols, nutrition programming, and the mentorship and education of peers, staff, and students. The position is in the Endocrinology/Diabetes department and is full time.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition, Dietetics, or a related discipline.
Completion of an accredited internship program as prescribed by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Registered Dietitian credential from the Commission on Dietetic Registration, or eligibility and ability to pass the licensing exam before the hire date.
Massachusetts state licensure, or ability to acquire it within 30 days of hire.
Strong knowledge of food and nutrition and ability to perform nutrition assessments, develop nutrition plans, and counsel and educate adult patients.
Ability to provide medical nutrition therapy for a range of conditions and willingness to develop competency across varied dietary interventions, especially obesity.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work independently and organize workload within daily time constraints.
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work professionally and confidently with diverse patients and healthcare providers.
Ability to work effectively as an interdisciplinary team member and maintain a reliable, productive, and supportive approach.
Flexibility to perform other staff duties when requested, within scope of practice.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
Experience with outpatient nutrition counseling.
Bilingual ability.

Responsibilities

Assess patients’ nutritional status using laboratory values, medical and nutritional histories, and medical or surgical conditions.
Develop individualized nutrition care plans and dietary interventions in accordance with accepted Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics standards and department protocols.
Provide medical nutrition therapy, counseling, and education to adult patients in individual and group settings, including follow-up counseling.
Evaluate patient compliance and physiological response to diet therapy through interviews, lab values, and monitoring tolerance of foods or tube feedings.
Coordinate with other providers in developing and implementing patient care plans; attend clinical meetings, rounds, or committees and present nutrition care plans as needed.
Develop individual diets, including appropriate medical food supplements or tube feedings; monitor tube-feeding tolerance and assist physicians with feeding-rate or product changes as appropriate.
Maintain records and provide periodic reports to referring and other care providers.
Assist with patient and clinician outreach through lectures, community events, marketing opportunities, orientations, and support groups.
Provide nutrition in-service education to hospital personnel, including physicians, residents, students, nurses, and dietary personnel.
Precept dietetic interns and medical students, supervise their practical experience, assign work as appropriate, and develop learning activities.
Assist with interviewing prospective dietitians and training and onboarding new employees as needed.
Develop educational materials for individual and group classes.
Participate with Operations management and the Nutrition Manager in developing policies, procedures, continuous quality improvement monitors, guidelines, standards of care, and clinical projects; record and calculate project results.
Monitor patient retention, coordinate work to support productivity, and develop strategies for clinic growth.
Work with the Nutrition Manager and Operations Managers to develop and implement nutrition programs.
Follow departmental and clinical policies, hospital behavioral standards, and established safety procedures; consult appropriate personnel about managerial or patient issues.
Work independently, organize workload, collaborate effectively with patients and healthcare providers, maintain professional workspaces and appearance, and accommodate patient needs and workflow changes within scope of practice.
Perform related duties as needed.