Registered Dietitian

Fresenius Medical Care•Las Vegas, NV

20d

About The Position

Provides nutritional services for in-center and home patients, as applicable, to maximize nutritional status and improve clinical outcomes. The Registered Dietitian is 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 established by their physicians. The role assesses patients’ knowledge of diet and kidney disease, provides patient- and caregiver-specific education and nutrition counseling, completes nutritional and comprehensive assessments, calculates diet prescriptions, and helps develop individualized plans of care. The dietitian monitors nutritional status and therapy outcomes, reviews nutrition-related laboratory results, recommends or coordinates appropriate interventions, and documents care in accordance with company policies and applicable regulations. The position collaborates with physicians, facility staff, interdisciplinary team members, case managers, and corporate dietitians on nutrition-related care, including adequacy, mineral metabolism, anemia and iron status, psychosocial needs, vascular access, modality, rehabilitation, sodium and volume control, and pre-ESRD education. It also includes participation in staff, quality improvement, and care plan meetings, maintaining professional credentials and knowledge, and helping ensure work areas are safe and clean. The work environment is a healthcare facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise. The employee may be exposed to infectious and contagious diseases or materials. Daily work includes desk and personal 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 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 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 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.
Help develop written, individualized plans of care with the interdisciplinary team 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 help patients achieve and sustain effective nutritional status.
Identify malnourished patients and those at risk, collaborate with the interdisciplinary team on interventions and resources, and review each patient’s albumin level and body weight at least monthly.
Implement plans of care with patient, family, or caregiver involvement; monitor adherence and response to nutrition therapy; adjust therapy as needed; and document barriers to goals and related interventions.
Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team on Urea Kinetic Modeling recommendations to achieve the physician’s Kt/V prescription.
Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team on mineral metabolism and renal bone disease, anemia and iron status, nutrition, psychosocial status, vascular access, modality, rehabilitation, and sodium and volume control.
Follow company 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 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 the interdisciplinary team, physicians, facility staff, and relevant outside care providers.
Participate in staff, quality improvement, care plan, and other applicable meetings.
Consult with the FMS Corporate Dietitian about nutrition concerns as needed.
Maintain and improve professional knowledge and skills, dietetic registration, and required continuing education.
Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team to help ensure work areas are safe and clean.
Perform other nutrition management and related duties as assigned.
Travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and attend regional, Business Unit, or Corporate meetings when required.