Registered Dietitian

Fresenius Medical Care•Harrisburg, PA

27d

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 Quality Enhancement Program (QEP), Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAI) activities, and process improvement efforts that help patients achieve individualized goals determined by their physicians. Assesses patients’ knowledge of diet and kidney disease; provides tailored education and nutrition counseling to patients and their families or caregivers; completes nutritional assessments and participates in comprehensive assessments and individualized care planning. Calculates diet prescriptions, monitors nutrition therapy and outcomes, identifies patients who are malnourished or at risk, and works with the interdisciplinary team to implement appropriate interventions. Reviews nutrition-related laboratory results, counsels patients and caregivers, recommends treatment changes, and communicates results and recommendations to relevant care providers. Maintains accurate medical records and progress notes in accordance with company policies and applicable regulations. Participates in QAI activities, staff and care-plan meetings, and coordination of pre-ESRD education and patient care. Maintains dietetic registration and required continuing education, consults with the corporate dietitian as needed, and collaborates with the team to maintain safe, clean work areas. The role involves work in a healthcare facility, interaction with patients and clinical staff, and travel between assigned facilities and other 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, 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, 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 records in accordance with company policies and applicable regulations.
Provide ongoing nutrition assessments and outcome-oriented counseling to help patients achieve and sustain effective nutritional status.
Identify malnourished patients and patients at risk for malnutrition, and 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 achieving goals, and implement care-plan responses.
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, nutrition, psychosocial status, vascular access, modality, rehabilitation, and sodium and volume control.
Adhere to company algorithms and medical record policies.
Report nutrition QAI results and participate in the interdisciplinary QAI program.
Coordinate with team members to provide 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 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.
Participate in staff, quality improvement, care-plan, and other applicable meetings.
Consult with the FMS Corporate Dietitian regarding nutrition concerns as needed.
Maintain and improve knowledge and skills; maintain 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.