Registered Dietitian

Fresenius Medical Care•Irving, TX

About The Position

Provides nutritional services to in-center and home patients, as applicable, to maximize nutritional status and improve clinical outcomes. The Registered Dietitian is a member of the interdisciplinary healthcare team and supports the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP), Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAI), and other process improvement activities that help patients achieve individualized, physician-determined goals. The role assesses patients’ understanding of diet and kidney disease; provides individualized nutrition education and counseling to patients and their families or caregivers; completes nutritional and interdisciplinary assessments; calculates diet prescriptions; and contributes to individualized plans of care. The dietitian monitors nutrition therapy, laboratory results, albumin levels, and body weight, adjusts care as needed, documents progress, and collaborates with the interdisciplinary team and providers on nutrition-related recommendations and treatment changes. The position requires maintaining dietetic registration and applicable continuing education, following company and regulatory documentation policies, and collaborating with team members to ensure safe, clean work areas. The work takes place in a healthcare facility and includes desk and computer work, interaction with patients and staff, and travel between assigned facilities and community locations. Exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials may occur.

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 teaching ability, strong organizational skills, excellent communication, customer service, relationship development, results orientation, team building, and decision-making.
Ability to perform responsibilities with minimum supervision.
Basic computer skills.

Nice To Haves

Board Certified Specialist in Renal Nutrition is encouraged.
Previous renal experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

Assess patients’ knowledge of diet and kidney disease and provide education suited 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 Federal and state requirements.
Calculate diet prescriptions according to standard practice.
Complete progress notes for chronic dialysis patients and maintain accurate medical-record documentation in accordance with company policies and regulations.
Provide ongoing nutrition assessment and outcome-oriented counseling to help patients achieve and sustain effective nutritional status.
Identify malnourished patients and those at risk, and collaborate with the interdisciplinary team on interventions, resources, and solutions.
Review each patient’s albumin level and body weight at least monthly, and implement the plan of care with patient, family, or caregiver involvement.
Monitor adherence and response to nutrition therapy, adjust therapy as needed, document barriers to achieving goals, and implement plans to address those barriers.
Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team on Urea Kinetic Modeling recommendations to achieve the physician’s Kt/V prescription.
Collaborate on management and recommendations concerning mineral metabolism and renal bone disease, anemia and iron status, nutritional and psychosocial status, vascular access, modality, rehabilitation, and sodium and 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, as appropriate.
Review nutrition-related laboratory results, counsel patients or caregivers, formulate appropriate actions, recommend treatment changes, and communicate results and recommendations to the interdisciplinary team, physicians, facility staff, and other care providers as appropriate.
Participate in staff, quality improvement, care plan, and other applicable meetings.
Consult the FMS Corporate Dietitian regarding nutrition concerns as needed.
Maintain and improve knowledge and skills for competent and innovative practice, including required dietetic registration and continuing education.
Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team to ensure work areas are safe and clean.
Perform other nutrition management and related duties as assigned.