Registered Dietitian-(Inpatient)(Per diem)

Boston Medical Center - Boston, MA

Part-time - Entry Level

Boston, MA

Hospitals

About the position

The Registered Dietitian (Inpatient) position is responsible for assessing and coordinating diet therapy and nutrition education for hospitalized patients. This role involves planning and providing nutritional care tailored to individual patient needs, interpreting physician-prescribed diets, and evaluating patient responses to diet therapy. The dietitian will work closely with medical teams to ensure optimal nutritional support and education for patients and their families.

Responsibilities

• Provides nutritional care to hospitalized patients by reviewing MD prescriptions and interviewing patients about their food habits.
• Assesses nutritional status based on laboratory values, medical history, and medical/surgical conditions.
• Develops nutritional care plans in accordance with accepted standards of practice and departmental protocols.
• Documents clinical data in the electronic health record (EHR) using the nutrition care process.
• Consults with physicians regarding changes in diet orders and develops individual diet plans including necessary supplements and tube feedings.
• Monitors patients to determine changes in nutritional status, including checking weights and lab values.
• Recommends supplements and/or tube feedings and monitors their tolerance.
• Performs nutritional support assessments, including intravenous feeding, as assigned.
• Instructs patients and families on diet therapy principles and food selection post-hospitalization.
• Participates in medical and social service rounds to discuss dietary requirements and treatment plans.
• Researches and develops patient-focused recipes and evaluates food quality and compliance with dietary prescriptions.
• Provides in-service education in nutrition to hospital personnel and develops educational materials for classes.
• Acts as a preceptor for dietetic interns and medical staff.
• Diagnoses malnutrition and documents using approved criteria, developing care plans for total parenteral nutrition and tube feedings.
• Monitors patients daily to assess nutritional status and prepares diet plans for transitioning from TPN to regular food.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Nutrition or a related discipline required; Master's degree preferred.
• Must be registered by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics or able to register prior to starting.
• Completion of an ADA-approved internship or comparable alternate required.
• General clinical understanding of metabolism in relation to clinical nutrition.
• Knowledge of food chemistry and macro/micro nutrient composition of foods.
• Interpersonal skills to explain procedures to patients and interact effectively with medical staff.
• High level of analytical skills to interpret laboratory data and assess diet plans.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced changing environment.
• Basic computer proficiency to access, enter, and interpret data.