Registered Dietitian - Food and Nutrition Services (24 Hours Per Week)

Denver Health and Hospital Authority•Denver, CO

About The Position

Denver Health is recruiting a mission-driven Registered Dietitian for its Food and Nutrition Services department. Under minimal supervision, the position performs inpatient nutrition assessments and reassessments, manages menus, and provides nutrition education while working directly with patients. The dietitian implements Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) to optimize patient care and outcomes and participates in patient care rounds as part of a multidisciplinary healthcare team. The role also assists the Chief Clinical Dietitian with performance improvement and continuous quality improvement (PI/CQI) activities to support quality care. The position involves communicating with patients, families, visitors, peers, medical staff, and other employees; documenting care; using computer systems and electronic medical records for clinical and diet-office functions; and supporting diet office personnel. The work schedule varies. The role is regular and part-time at 0.6 FTE, or 24 hours per week. The listed annual salary range of $63,300–$91,800 is for a 1.0 FTE; compensation for this position is based on its actual FTE.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
1–3 years of related experience in clinical or public health nutrition.
Registered Dietitian certification from the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).
Effective oral and written communication skills.
Ability to delegate responsibility appropriately, exercise sound independent judgment, and follow written and oral instructions.
Ability to assess data reflecting a patient’s status and interpret relevant information.
Knowledge of disease-specific and age-specific nutrition standards of care.
Understanding of applicable local, state, federal, and The Joint Commission standards and regulations.
Competence using computer systems for order entry and updating diet and patient information.
Knowledge of how to use the current online Nutrition Care Manual.
Ability to use Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, and other IT or software systems.

Responsibilities

Assist patients with menu planning and meeting appropriate caloric needs.
Provide individual and group nutrition education according to established standards of care.
Complete nutrition assessments for at-risk patients within 72 hours of an assessed need, referral, risk notification, or physician consult.
Complete nutrition reassessments for at-risk patients within the time frames appropriate to their level of nutrition risk.
Enter orders for nutrition support when indicated.
Prioritize workload appropriately.
Tailor education to the patient’s or family’s education level, learning needs, and readiness to learn.
Provide and document education within 48 hours of an assessed need and according to policy.
Participate in hospital activities that support high-quality patient care and services.
Participate in physician rounds, discharge planning, and team conferences as a multidisciplinary team member.
Participate in quality improvement and patient-care committees or task forces as assigned.
Complete monthly productivity logs and assigned PI/CQI projects.
Conduct monthly tray evaluations and patient visitations according to schedule.
Identify opportunities to improve service and care and make suggestions.
Communicate effectively with patients, visitors, peers, medical staff, and other employees; obtain patient information and handle patient or customer requests and complaints.
Document patient-care activities on appropriate forms and according to hospital practice.
Use computer software, programs, and electronic medical records for diet-office functions and clinical activities.
Perform intake analysis, including calorie counts, as needed, and enter clinical activity data accurately into a computer tracking program.
Assist with monitoring diet technicians and diet-office personnel by providing guidance and help resolving problems.
Maintain professional knowledge and development through meetings, seminars, in-services, and literature review; attend at least one professional meeting or seminar per year for each clinical specialty or age-specific population served.
Share information from educational meetings and in-services by providing education, assistance, or training to departmental staff and, as assigned, hospital staff.
Work at the appropriate productivity level, adhere to assigned break and lunch times, and function as a team player by seeking and providing assistance as needed.

Benefits

Paid time off starting at 28 days per year, including vacation, personal/sick time, and seven holidays.
Fully paid parental leave for up to six weeks.
Immediate eligibility for retirement plans with employer contributions up to 9.5%.
Medical, dental, and vision plans, plus employer-paid disability and life insurance.
Well-being programs, including an on-site employee fitness center and the RESTORE Center.
Free RTD EcoPass for public transportation.
Childcare discounts and discounts or perks on brands, travel, and more.
Tuition reimbursement and assistance.
Education, coaching, and professional development through the Workforce Development Center, supporting career growth and advancement.
Professional clinical advancement program and shared governance.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility, free student loan coaching, and assistance navigating the PSLF program.
Eligibility for National Health Service Corps and Colorado Health Service Corps programs.