Registered Dietitian

Fresenius Medical Care•Birmingham, AL

About The Position

Provides nutritional services to 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 FMCNA Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAI) activities. Participates in process improvement to help patients achieve individualized, physician-determined goals. The Registered Dietitian assesses patients’ knowledge of diet and kidney disease, delivers individualized nutrition education and counseling, completes nutritional assessments, and helps develop and implement comprehensive plans of care. The role includes monitoring nutrition-related measures and laboratory results, adjusting nutrition therapy as needed, documenting care, and collaborating with patients, caregivers, physicians, facility staff, and interdisciplinary team members. The position requires travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may also be required.

Requirements

Registered Dietitian credential as specified by the Commission on Dietetic Registration.
Current state licensure, where 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 tailored 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.
Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team to develop and implement written, individualized comprehensive plans of care in accordance with applicable guidelines and regulations.
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 applicable regulations.
Provide ongoing nutrition assessments and outcome-oriented nutrition counseling to support 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.
Monitor adherence and response to nutrition therapy, adjust therapy as needed, document barriers to goals, and address those barriers in the plan of care.
Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team on Urea Kinetic Modeling recommendations to achieve the physician’s Kt/V prescription.
Collaborate on recommendations related to 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 FMCNA algorithms and medical-record policies; report nutrition QAI results and participate in the interdisciplinary QAI program.
Coordinate Pre-ESRD education with the interdisciplinary team as appropriate.
Work with the Case Manager on patient education plans and identify candidates for physician referral for nutritional supplements when appropriate.
Review nutrition-related laboratory results, counsel patients or caregivers, formulate appropriate actions, and recommend treatment changes to the interdisciplinary team.
Communicate laboratory results and recommended treatment changes to physicians, facility staff, and providers caring for patients in nursing facilities, hospitals, and short- or long-term care facilities, 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, and 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.
Perform other nutrition management and related duties as assigned.