Registered Dietitian

Fresenius Medical Care•Coldwater, MI

11d

About The Position

Provides nutritional services for 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 organization’s Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAI) activities. Participates in process improvement activities intended to help patients achieve individualized goals determined by their physicians. Assesses patients’ knowledge of diet and kidney disease and provides education tailored to their learning needs. Conducts nutritional assessments, contributes to comprehensive assessments and individualized care plans, calculates diet prescriptions, and provides ongoing nutrition counseling. Monitors nutritional status, laboratory results, adherence, and response to therapy; identifies malnutrition or risk of malnutrition; and collaborates with patients, caregivers, physicians, facility staff, and the interdisciplinary team on appropriate interventions and treatment recommendations. Maintains required clinical documentation and follows organizational, federal, and applicable state policies and regulations. Participates in QAI and staff meetings, coordinates pre-ESRD education when appropriate, consults with the corporate dietitian as needed, and maintains professional knowledge, dietetic registration, and continuing education. 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. 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.
Ability to teach, with strong organizational skills, excellent communication, customer service, relationship development, results orientation, team building, and decision-making skills.
Ability to perform responsibilities with minimal 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 and their families or 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 guidelines.
Calculate diet prescriptions according to standards of practice.
Complete progress notes for chronic dialysis patients and maintain accurate medical-record documentation in accordance with organizational 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, review albumin and body weight at least monthly, and collaborate with the interdisciplinary team on interventions and resources.
Monitor adherence and response to nutrition therapy, adjust therapy as needed, document barriers to goals, and implement care-plan actions.
Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team on Urea Kinetic Modeling recommendations and management of mineral metabolism, renal bone disease, anemia, iron status, nutritional and psychosocial status, vascular access, modality, rehabilitation, and sodium and volume control.
Follow organizational 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 when appropriate.
Work with the Case Manager on patient education care plans and identify candidates for physician referral for nutritional supplements, as applicable.
Review nutrition-related laboratory results, counsel patients or caregivers, formulate actions, recommend treatment changes, and communicate results and recommendations to appropriate clinicians and care providers.
Participate in staff, quality improvement, care plan, and other applicable meetings.
Consult with the corporate dietitian regarding nutrition concerns as needed.
Maintain and improve professional knowledge and skills, dietetic registration, and continuing education as required.
Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team to help ensure work areas are safe and clean.
Perform other assigned nutrition-management and related duties.