Registered Dietitian - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Hampton, VA

9d•$50,000 - $90,000

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. Functions as a member of the interdisciplinary healthcare team and supports the FMCNA Quality Enhancement Program (QEP), Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAI) activities, and process improvement efforts that help patients achieve individualized goals established by their physician. The Registered Dietitian assesses patients’ understanding of diet and kidney disease; provides individualized nutrition education and counseling; completes nutritional assessments and progress notes; calculates diet prescriptions; and participates in developing and implementing individualized plans of care. The role monitors nutritional status, laboratory results, adherence, and response to therapy, collaborating with the interdisciplinary team, physicians, caregivers, and other care providers on appropriate interventions and treatment recommendations. The position also supports patient education, quality improvement, and coordination of care; maintains accurate medical records and required dietetic registration and continuing education; and helps ensure safe, clean work areas. Work takes place in a healthcare facility and involves patient and staff interaction, computer and desk work, and travel between assigned facilities and community locations. 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 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 is encouraged.
Previous renal experience 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.
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 company policies and applicable regulations.
Provide ongoing nutrition assessment and outcome-oriented counseling to support effective nutritional status.
Identify patients who are malnourished or at risk for malnutrition and work with the interdisciplinary team to identify appropriate 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 measures to address those barriers.
Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team on Urea Kinetic Modeling recommendations to achieve the physician’s Kt/V prescription.
Collaborate on management and recommendations related to mineral metabolism and renal bone disease, anemia and iron status, nutritional and psychosocial status, vascular access, modality, rehabilitation, and sodium/volume control.
Follow FMCNA 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 applicable staff, quality improvement, and care plan meetings.
Consult with the FMS Corporate Dietitian regarding nutrition concerns as needed.
Maintain and improve knowledge and skills, including dietetic registration and continuing education required by the American Dietetic Association and applicable state licensure regulations.
Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team to ensure work areas are safe and clean.
Perform other assigned nutrition management and related duties.