Registered Dietitian

Fresenius Medical Care•New Castle, IN

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. Serves as a member of the interdisciplinary healthcare team and supports the Fresenius Medical Care North America (FMCNA) commitment to the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAI) activities. Participates in process improvement activities that help patients achieve individualized goals established by their physicians. Assesses patients’ knowledge of diet and kidney disease and provides education tailored to their learning needs. Delivers patient-specific education to patients, families, and caregivers about nutritional status, adequacy measures and results, fluid status, and nutrition-related laboratory parameters. Completes nutritional assessments, participates in interdisciplinary assessments, and helps develop individualized comprehensive plans of care. Calculates diet prescriptions, documents patient progress and care in accordance with FMCNA policies and applicable regulations, and provides ongoing nutrition assessment and counseling. Identifies patients who are malnourished or at risk, monitors albumin and body weight at least monthly, and works with patients and the interdisciplinary team to implement and adjust nutrition therapy. Collaborates on recommendations related to dialysis adequacy, mineral metabolism, renal bone disease, anemia and iron status, psychosocial status, vascular access, modality, rehabilitation, and sodium and volume control. Reviews nutrition-related laboratory results, counsels patients or caregivers, recommends treatment changes, and communicates results and recommendations to the care team and other providers as appropriate. Participates in QAI activities, staff and care-plan meetings, and pre-ESRD education as appropriate. Coordinates patient education and, when appropriate, works with the Case Manager to identify candidates for physician referral for nutritional supplements. Consults with the FMS Corporate Dietitian as needed, maintains professional knowledge and skills and required registration and continuing education, and helps ensure work areas are safe and clean. Performs other nutrition management and related duties as assigned. The role is based in a healthcare facility environment with controlled air temperature and moderate noise, with possible exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials. Daily work includes desk and computer work and interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians. Travel between assigned facilities and community locations 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 defined 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 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 appropriate 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.
Participate in developing individualized comprehensive plans of care in accordance with applicable guidelines.
Calculate diet prescriptions according to standard practice.
Complete progress notes and maintain accurate medical-record documentation in accordance with FMCNA policies and applicable regulations.
Provide ongoing nutrition assessment and outcome-oriented counseling to help patients achieve and sustain effective nutritional status.
Identify malnourished patients and patients at risk for malnutrition; collaborate with the interdisciplinary team on interventions and resources.
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 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 with the interdisciplinary team on management and recommendations concerning mineral metabolism, renal bone disease, anemia and iron status, nutrition, psychosocial status, vascular access, modality, rehabilitation, and sodium and volume control.
Follow FMCNA 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.
Work with the Case Manager, when appropriate, to coordinate patient education and identify candidates for physician referral for nutritional supplements.
Review nutrition-related laboratory results, counsel patients or caregivers, formulate appropriate actions, recommend treatment changes, and communicate results and recommendations to care providers as appropriate.
Participate in relevant staff, quality-improvement, and care-plan meetings.
Consult with the FMS Corporate Dietitian regarding nutrition concerns as needed.
Maintain and improve professional knowledge and skills; maintain dietetic registration and continuing education hours as specified by applicable professional and state requirements.
Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team to help ensure work areas are safe and clean.
Travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and attend regional, Business Unit, or Corporate meetings as required.
Perform other nutrition-management and related duties as assigned.