Registered Dietitian

Fresenius Medical Care•Hauppauge, NY

About The Position

Provides nutritional services to in-center and home patients, as applicable, to maximize nutritional status and improve clinical outcomes. Serves as a member of the interdisciplinary healthcare team, supporting the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP), Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAI) activities, and process improvements that help patients achieve individualized goals established by their physicians. Assesses patients’ knowledge of diet and kidney disease, provides tailored nutrition education and counseling, completes nutritional assessments, and participates in comprehensive assessments and individualized care planning. Monitors nutritional status and treatment response, reviews nutrition-related laboratory results, recommends appropriate interventions or treatment changes, and documents care in accordance with company policies and applicable regulations. Collaborates with patients, families, caregivers, physicians, facility staff, and the interdisciplinary team on nutrition therapy and related aspects of dialysis care. The position works in a healthcare facility and includes desk and computer work, interaction with patients and care teams, and travel between assigned facilities and community locations. Travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may also be required. The role has no supervisory responsibilities.

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 ability to teach, 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 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, fluid status, and nutrition-related laboratory parameters.
Complete nutritional assessments and participate in interdisciplinary comprehensive assessments.
Participate in developing written, individualized comprehensive plans of care in accordance with applicable guidelines.
Calculate diet prescriptions according to standard practice and complete progress notes for chronic dialysis patients.
Maintain accurate medical-record documentation in accordance with company policies and federal and state regulations.
Provide ongoing nutrition assessment and outcome-oriented counseling to support effective nutritional status.
Identify patients who are malnourished or at risk for malnutrition and work with the interdisciplinary team on appropriate interventions and resources.
Review each patient’s albumin level and body weight at least monthly.
Implement and monitor the plan of care with patient, family, or caregiver involvement; adjust nutrition therapy as needed, document barriers to goals, and address those barriers through the plan of care.
Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team on Urea Kinetic Modeling recommendations to support the physician’s Kt/V prescription.
Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team on mineral metabolism and renal bone disease, anemia and iron status, nutritional and psychosocial status, vascular access, modality, rehabilitation status, 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.
Work with the Case Manager on patient education plans and identify candidates for physician referral for nutritional supplements when appropriate under disease management agreements.
Review nutrition-related laboratory results, counsel patients or caregivers, determine appropriate actions, recommend treatment changes, and communicate results and recommendations to physicians, facility staff, and other care providers as appropriate.
Participate in staff, quality-improvement, care-plan, and other applicable meetings.
Consult with the FMS Corporate Dietitian about 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.