Registered Dietitian- Clinic

Fresenius Medical Care•Shreveport, LA

11d

About The Position

Provides nutritional services for the facility’s 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) activities, and process improvement efforts that help patients achieve individualized goals established by their physicians. The role assesses patients’ nutritional knowledge and needs, provides patient-specific education and counseling, completes nutritional assessments, calculates diet prescriptions, and contributes to individualized plans of care. It monitors nutrition-related laboratory results, albumin levels, body weight, adherence, and response to nutrition therapy, adjusting recommendations and coordinating interventions with patients, caregivers, physicians, and the interdisciplinary team. The position also maintains accurate medical records, participates in QAI and care planning, and keeps professional knowledge and credentials current. The work environment is characteristic of a healthcare facility, with air temperature control and moderate noise levels. The employee may be exposed to infectious and contagious diseases or materials. Daily work includes desk and personal computer work and interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians. Travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community is required; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may also be required. The position 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 teaching ability, strong organization, 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 certification 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 and results, fluid status, and nutrition-related laboratory parameters.
Complete nutritional assessments and participate in interdisciplinary comprehensive assessments.
Work with the interdisciplinary team to develop written, individualized comprehensive plans of care in accordance with applicable federal and state guidelines.
Calculate diet prescriptions according to standard practice.
Complete progress notes for chronic dialysis patients and maintain accurate medical-record documentation under company policies and applicable regulations.
Provide ongoing nutrition assessments and outcome-oriented counseling to help patients achieve and sustain effective nutritional status.
Identify patients who are malnourished or at risk for malnutrition and collaborate with the interdisciplinary team on appropriate interventions and resources.
Review each patient’s albumin level and body weight at least monthly.
Implement plans of care with patient, family, or caregiver involvement; monitor adherence and response to nutrition therapy; adjust 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 achieve the physician’s Kt/V prescription.
Collaborate on management and recommendations involving mineral metabolism and renal bone disease, anemia and iron status, nutritional and psychosocial status, vascular access, modality, rehabilitation status, 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 in providing Pre-ESRD education, as appropriate.
When appropriate, coordinate patient education plans with the Case Manager and identify candidates for physician referral for nutritional supplements under disease management agreements.
Review nutrition-related laboratory results, counsel patients or caregivers, formulate appropriate actions, recommend treatment changes, and communicate results and recommendations to physicians, facility staff, and other care providers as appropriate.
Participate in applicable staff, quality-improvement, and care-plan meetings.
Consult with the FMS Corporate Dietitian about nutrition concerns as needed.
Maintain and improve professional knowledge and skills, dietetic registration, and continuing education hours as specified by the American Dietetic Association and applicable state regulations.
Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team to ensure work areas are safe and clean.
Perform other nutrition-management and related duties as assigned.