Registered Dietician

Fresenius Medical Care•Ironton, OH

About The Position

Provides nutritional services to in-center and home patients, as applicable, to maximize nutritional status and improve clinical outcomes. As a member of the interdisciplinary healthcare team, supports the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAI) activities, and participates in process improvement that helps patients achieve individualized, physician-determined goals. The role involves assessing patients’ nutritional knowledge and needs; providing patient- and caregiver-specific education and counseling; completing nutritional assessments and documentation; and contributing to individualized plans of care. The dietitian monitors nutrition-related measures and lab results, identifies malnutrition risks, adjusts nutrition therapy, and coordinates recommendations with the interdisciplinary team, physicians, facility staff, and other care providers. The position requires maintaining dietetic registration and continuing education, collaborating to ensure safe and clean work areas, and traveling between assigned facilities and other locations as required. The work environment is a healthcare facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise; exposure to infectious or contagious diseases or materials may occur. Day-to-day work includes computer and desk work and interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians. No supervision responsibilities are specified.

Requirements

Registered Dietitian credential as specified by the Commission on Dietetic Registration.
Current state licensure, if applicable.
At least one year of professional work experience in clinical nutrition as a Registered Dietitian.
Demonstrated leadership competencies and skills, including teaching ability, strong organizational skills, excellent communication, customer service, relationship development, results orientation, team building, and decision making.
Ability to perform responsibilities with minimal supervision.
Basic computer skills.

Nice To Haves

Board Certified Specialist in Renal Nutrition is encouraged.
Previous renal experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

Assess patients’ knowledge of diet and kidney disease and provide education suited to their learning needs.
Educate patients, families, and caregivers about nutritional status, adequacy measures and results, fluid status, and nutrition-related laboratory parameters.
Complete nutritional assessments and participate in interdisciplinary comprehensive assessments.
Help develop written, individualized comprehensive plans of care in accordance with applicable federal and state requirements.
Calculate diet prescriptions according to standard practice.
Complete progress notes for chronic dialysis patients and maintain accurate medical records in accordance with company policies and applicable regulations.
Provide ongoing nutrition assessment and outcome-oriented counseling to help patients achieve and sustain effective nutritional status.
Identify malnourished patients and patients at risk for malnutrition, and work with the interdisciplinary team to identify interventions and resources.
Review each patient’s albumin level and body weight at least monthly and implement plans of care with patient, family, or caregiver involvement.
Monitor adherence and response to nutrition therapy, adjust therapy as needed, document unmet goals and barriers, and implement care-plan responses.
Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team on Urea Kinetic Modeling recommendations to help achieve the physician’s Kt/V prescription.
Collaborate on management and recommendations related to mineral metabolism and renal bone disease, anemia and iron status, nutrition, psychosocial status, vascular access, modality, rehabilitation, and sodium/volume control.
Follow company algorithms and medical record policies.
Report nutrition QAI results and participate in the interdisciplinary QAI program.
Coordinate with team members on Pre-ESRD education as appropriate.
When appropriate, work with the Case Manager on patient education and identify candidates for referral to a physician for nutritional supplements under disease management agreements.
Review nutrition-related laboratory results, counsel patients or caregivers, formulate appropriate actions, recommend treatment changes, and communicate results and recommendations to relevant care providers.
Participate in staff, quality improvement, care plan, and other applicable meetings.
Consult with the FMS Corporate Dietitian regarding nutrition concerns as needed.
Maintain and improve professional knowledge and skills, dietetic registration, and required continuing education.
Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team to ensure work areas are safe and clean.
Perform other nutrition management and related duties as assigned.