Registered Dietician

Fresenius Medical Care•Portland, OR

About The Position

Provides nutritional services for the facility’s 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 FMCNA commitment to the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAI) activities, and participates in process improvement activities that help patients achieve individualized goals established by their physicians. The Registered Dietitian assesses patients’ knowledge of diet and kidney disease and provides education tailored to their learning needs. The role includes completing nutritional assessments, calculating diet prescriptions, developing and implementing individualized plans of care, providing ongoing nutrition counseling, monitoring nutrition therapy and outcomes, and maintaining accurate medical records. The dietitian works collaboratively with patients, families, caregivers, physicians, facility staff, and interdisciplinary team members on nutrition-related issues and care planning. The position is based in a healthcare facility environment with temperature control and moderate noise. Work includes desk and computer use and interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians. Travel between assigned facilities and community locations is required; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may also be required. The role may involve exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials. There is no supervisory responsibility.

Requirements

Registered Dietitian credential as specified by the Commission on Dietetic Registration.
Current state licensure, if applicable.
At least 1 year of professional work experience in clinical nutrition as a Registered Dietitian.
Demonstrated leadership competencies and skills, including teaching ability, strong organization, excellent communication, customer service, relationship development, results orientation, team building, and decision making.
Ability to perform responsibilities with minimum supervision.
Basic computer skills.
Maintain dietetic registration and continuing education hours as specified by the American Dietetic Association and applicable state licensure regulations.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Assess patients’ knowledge of diet and kidney disease and provide education appropriate 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.
Participate with the interdisciplinary team in developing written, individualized comprehensive plans of care in accordance with applicable federal and state guidelines.
Calculate diet prescriptions according to standard practice.
Complete progress notes for chronic dialysis patients and maintain accurate medical record documentation according to company policies and applicable regulations.
Provide ongoing nutrition assessment and outcome-oriented counseling to help patients achieve and sustain effective nutritional status.
Identify patients who are malnourished or at risk of malnutrition and collaborate with the interdisciplinary team on interventions and resources.
Review each patient’s albumin level and body weight at least monthly and implement the plan of care with patient, family, or caregiver involvement.
Monitor adherence and response to nutrition therapy, adjust therapy as needed, document barriers to achieving goals, and implement care-plan responses to those barriers.
Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team on Urea Kinetic Modeling recommendations to achieve the physician’s Kt/V prescription.
Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team on management and recommendations concerning mineral metabolism and renal bone disease, anemia and iron status, nutritional and psychosocial status, vascular access, modality, rehabilitation status, and sodium and volume control.
Follow FMCNA algorithms and medical record policies.
Report nutrition QAI results and participate in the interdisciplinary QAI program.
Coordinate with team members in providing Pre-ESRD education as appropriate.
When appropriate, work with the Case Manager to coordinate patient education and identify candidates for physician referral 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 the interdisciplinary team, physicians, facility staff, and providers in nursing facilities as appropriate.
Participate in relevant staff, quality improvement, and care plan 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 hours.
Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team to ensure work areas are safe and clean.
Perform other assigned nutrition management and related duties.