Registered Dietitian - RD

Fresenius Medical Care•Río Grande, PR

16h

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 company’s Quality Enhancement Program (QEP), Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAI) activities, and process improvement efforts that help patients achieve individualized, physician-determined goals. The Registered Dietitian assesses patients’ knowledge of diet and kidney disease, provides education tailored to patient and caregiver needs, completes nutritional assessments, calculates diet prescriptions, and contributes to individualized plans of care. The role includes ongoing nutrition counseling and assessment, monitoring nutrition therapy and outcomes, identifying malnutrition risks, reviewing monthly albumin and body weight, and collaborating with the care team on nutrition-related clinical matters and treatment recommendations. The position maintains accurate patient records, participates in QAI and care planning, coordinates patient education and referrals as appropriate, communicates nutrition-related laboratory results and recommendations to care providers, and maintains professional knowledge, registration, and continuing education. The work takes place in a healthcare facility and involves patient and staff interaction, computer and desk work, and travel among assigned facilities and community locations. Travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may also be required. The role 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 organization, 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 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.
Work with the interdisciplinary team to develop written, individualized comprehensive plans of care in accordance with applicable guidelines.
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 assessment and outcome-oriented counseling to help patients achieve and maintain 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 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 plans to address those barriers.
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, renal bone disease, anemia and iron status, nutritional and 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 to provide Pre-ESRD education as appropriate.
Work with the Case Manager on patient education plans and identify candidates for physician referral for nutritional supplements, as appropriate.
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 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 ensure work areas are safe and clean.
Perform other assigned nutrition management and related duties.