Adult)

BMC Software•Boston, MA

21d•$34 - $43

About The Position

Assesses and coordinates diet therapy and nutrition education activities for patients. Plans and provides nutritional care by interpreting and adapting physician-prescribed diets to individual needs, creating diet regimens, and educating patients about proper dietary standards. Evaluates patient responses to diet therapy through interviews, nutrient-intake calculations, laboratory values, and monitoring tolerance of food, tube feedings, and parenteral nutrition. Duties may vary according to assigned patient population or department. The inpatient dietitian provides nutrition care to hospitalized patients, assesses nutritional status, develops and documents care plans, and coordinates with physicians and clinical teams. The role includes nutrition support for critically ill and malnourished patients, patient and family education, participation in rounds, staff education, and support for dietetic interns and medical staff. The position is full time in the Nutritional Clinic NP department, with rotating holidays and weekends.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Nutrition or a related discipline.
Registration by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Completion of an ADA-approved internship or comparable alternative.
General clinical understanding of metabolism in relation to clinical nutrition, and knowledge of food chemistry and macro- and micronutrient composition.
Interpersonal skills to explain procedures to patients, alleviate apprehensions, and interact effectively with physicians, fellows, nursing staff, and others.
Analytical skills to interpret laboratory data, identify and plan individual weight-loss programs, and assess diet plans and their physiological effects.
Ability to work in a fast-paced, changing environment.
Basic computer proficiency, including the ability to access, enter, and interpret computerized data and information.
Competence in providing nutrition support to the assigned population group.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in a relevant field.
Additional certifications, such as Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) certification and Massachusetts Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist (LDN) licensure, may be required by the department.

Responsibilities

Review physician feeding prescriptions and interview patients about food habits to guide diet planning.
Assess nutritional status using laboratory values, medical and nutritional history, and medical or surgical condition.
Develop nutritional care plans in accordance with Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics standards of practice and department protocols.
Document clinical data and the nutrition care process in the electronic health record.
Consult with physicians about potential changes to diet orders.
Plan individual diets, including necessary supplements and tube feedings.
Review menus for correct patient selections and modifications, and make appropriate substitutions.
Maintain records of patients seen and recommended therapeutic actions; refer patients for follow-up nutritional care when appropriate.
Monitor changes in nutritional status, including weights, laboratory values, and adequacy and tolerance of food, tube feeding, or parenteral feeding intake.
Recommend supplements and tube feedings, monitor tolerance, and assist physicians in determining appropriate increases in feeding rate and strength.
Perform nutritional support assessments, including intravenous feeding, as assigned.
Educate patients and families individually and in groups about diet therapy, nutrition principles, diet purpose and use, food selection and preparation, and adapting food plans to individual needs after hospitalization.
Participate in weekly medical and social service rounds and, as needed, daily medical or surgical team rounds to discuss patient condition, treatment, dietary requirements, care plans, and discharge planning.
Meet daily with the nutrition support dietitian to coordinate continuity of care for critically ill patients whose conditions have stabilized.
Research, test, develop, and document patient-focused recipes.
Participate in food evaluation and product testing; evaluate commercially prepared supplements and beverages and recommend their use based on nutritional content and patient response; assess food quality and compliance with dietary prescriptions.
Provide nutrition in-service education to hospital personnel and develop educational materials for individual and group classes.
Precept and support the education and training of dietetic interns and medical staff.
Provide nutrition care when consulted for malnourished or critically ill patients.
Diagnose malnutrition and document it in the EHR using BMC-approved diagnostic criteria.
Use the nutrition-focused physical exam to assess nutritional status and develop care plans based on patients' nutritional needs.
Determine solutions for total parenteral nutrition and tube feedings, submit them to physicians for approval, and document them in medical records.
Monitor patients daily using intake, laboratory values, anthropometrics, and nutrition-focused physical exams; prepare diet plans for transition from TPN to supplements and regular food.
Speak to interested hospital groups about nutrition care for critically ill patients as needed.
Cover other trained specialty areas when needed and perform all functions of an Assistant Dietitian.
Use hospital behavioral standards to support decision-making and the hospital's mission and goals; follow infection-control and safety procedures; adhere to BMC RESPECT behavioral standards; and perform related duties as needed.