Registered Dietitian - Hartford - Per Diem
About The Position
The Registered Dietitian provides medical nutrition therapy to patients of Connecticut Children’s Medical Center and serves as a resource for caregivers, patients, and families. The role assesses patients’ nutritional status and develops, documents, and implements nutrition plans based on assessment results. It includes counseling patients and families to improve nutritional outcomes, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams, and providing education to the medical team. The dietitian delivers care using the Nutrition Care Process, including assessment, nutrition diagnosis, intervention, monitoring, and evaluation. The role also supports quality improvement, clinical protocols and research, staff and student training, and nutrition access coordination, particularly for home care and area pediatricians. The dietitian applies age-specific knowledge from pre-term neonates through adolescence and demonstrates cultural sensitivity in interactions with patients and families.
Requirements
- Bachelor of Science in Nutrition for those completing the degree before 2024, or Master of Science in Nutrition for those completing it after 2024.
- Completion of an accredited Didactic Internship Program or Accredited Coordinated Program in accordance with CDR and ACEND requirements, leading to registration eligibility.
- Registered Dietitian (RD) credential from the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
- Connecticut State Certification (CD-N) required on hire.
- American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Healthcare Provider certification required within six months of hire.
- Knowledge of Medical Nutrition Therapy in accordance with Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics standards, medical terminology, drug-nutrient interactions, and pediatric disease states.
- Proficiency with electronic health and medical records and Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
- Proficiency with a nutrient analysis program, human milk and formula barcoding system, and menu entry program.
- Accurate keyboarding abilities and math skills.
Nice To Haves
- Master of Science in Nutrition completed before 2024, PhD, or DCN in Nutrition, along with completion of an accredited Didactic Internship Program or Accredited Coordinated Program leading to registration eligibility.
- Two to five years of pediatric experience.
- Specialty certifications through CDR or ASPEN, such as Certified Specialist in Pediatric Nutrition or Certified Nutrition Support Clinician.
Responsibilities
- Complete and deliver care according to the Nutrition Care Process, including assessment, nutrition diagnosis, intervention, monitoring, and evaluation.
- Develop, document, and implement nutrition plans.
- Interact with interdisciplinary teams to promote nutritional care.
- Serve as a nutrition access coordinator, especially for home care and area pediatricians.
- Educate and counsel caregivers, pediatric patients, and their families.
- Educate physicians, nurses, and other disciplines as needed; communicate nutrition recommendations, monitor patient status, and adjust therapy as needed.
- Remain up to date on nutrition research and best-practice standards.
- Mentor and train new staff and dietetic interns.
- Participate in department quality improvement activities and maintain monthly statistics and reports.
- Complete interdisciplinary chart audits and peer reviews.
- Identify clinical safety, business, or efficiency issues and communicate them to appropriate stakeholders.
- Participate in developing and implementing practice protocols for continuous quality improvement in nutritional therapy.
- Participate in hospital research as requested.
- Provide guidance and instruction to diet technicians and milk technicians.
- Precept nutrition students, including dietetic interns, pediatric residents, and fellows.
- Apply knowledge of age-related differences and needs across relevant patient populations, from pre-term neonates through adolescence.
- Demonstrate cultural sensitivity in interactions with patients and families.
- Support the organization’s mission, values, and goals through behaviors consistent with Connecticut Children’s Medical Center Standards.
- Perform other job-related duties as assigned.
