Registered Dietitian

Baystate Health•Springfield, MA

About The Position

Under the general supervision of department leadership, the Registered Dietitian (RD) practices within the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ Scope of Practice in Nutrition Care and Scope of Professional Performance, Massachusetts statutes and regulations for dietitians and nutritionists, and Baystate Health’s core values. The RD applies knowledge and skills to provide care that accounts for patients’ physical, psychosocial, cultural, educational, spiritual, safety, and age-appropriate needs. The RD is responsible and accountable for decisions concerning assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of each patient’s nutrition plan of care. The RD provides direct patient care in collaboration with other healthcare team members and participates in committees and performance-improvement initiatives. The RD maintains professional knowledge and skills, complies with regulatory and accrediting standards, is registered with the Commission on Dietetic Registration, and is licensed in Massachusetts as a Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist. The role includes clinical nutrition assessment and individualized care planning, therapeutic diet education, and management of parenteral nutrition and tube feeding as required by the location and patient population. The RD uses independent order-writing privileges appropriately in inpatient settings, supports nutrition-related discharge planning, contributes to departmental initiatives and research, educates the community, and may precept dietetic interns or mentor staff. The position also requires effective communication, professional conduct, completion of annual competencies and mandatory education, and progress toward professional goals.

Requirements

Five years of work experience in a pertinent area of clinical nutrition and demonstrated competency to meet level 3 practice.
Current registration with the Commission on Dietetic Registration.
Licensure in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist.
Advanced knowledge and application of medical nutrition therapy, including nutrition-focused physical examination related to assigned patient care.
Ability to critically review literature.
Ability to apply critical thinking to the Nutrition Care Process and address problems or situations.
Effective written and verbal communication with patients, the public, and care providers.
Ability to function independently on assigned patient-care units or services.
Ability to counsel and educate patients and their families.
General knowledge of electronic medical records, electronic diet office systems, and Microsoft Office.
Organizational awareness.
Computer skills, including Microsoft Office and electronic health records.

Responsibilities

Maintain safe delivery of the standard of care for assigned patients and families; manage assignments and delegate effectively when indicated.
Conduct accurate, age-appropriate clinical assessments; identify and prioritize patient and family strengths, needs, and priorities; develop, implement, evaluate, and document individualized plans of care according to policy.
Use the Nutrition Care Process to analyze assessment data, identify nutrition problems and diagnoses, integrate current evidence and cultural or religious needs, collaborate on patient- and family-centered plans, determine monitoring and evaluation methods, and adjust interventions as patient status changes.
Provide effective therapeutic diet education to patients and families, using methods such as Motivational Interviewing and Teach Back.
Order and manage parenteral nutrition proactively, in collaboration with physicians, and anticipate discharge needs as required by location and patient population.
Order and manage tube feedings proactively, in collaboration with physicians, and anticipate discharge needs as required by location and patient population.
Respect patient and family dignity and privacy, establish mutual trust, and engage patients and families in care.
In inpatient settings, appropriately use independent order-writing privileges for therapeutic diet changes, consistency modifications, supplements, parenteral nutrition, tube feedings, and nutrition-related laboratory values; use resources effectively and consider cost-benefit.
Address patient-experience concerns promptly and objectively and escalate concerns to leadership as needed.
Recognize ethical dilemmas within the practice area and use available resources to intervene effectively.
Assist with nutrition-support discharge planning using appropriate resources, referrals, and community resources; communicate and collaborate with patients and families about discharge plans as required by location and patient population.
Participate in departmental committees.
Lead performance-improvement projects and/or research.
Serve as a resource and provide nutrition education to the community.
Respect diverse views and approaches and contribute to a professional, tolerant, civil, and accepting environment for employees, patients, and visitors.
Demonstrate effective written and verbal communication.
Complete annual competencies and mandatory education requirements.
Demonstrate progress in meeting professional goals.
Adhere to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics professional code of ethics.
Precept dietetic interns and/or mentor staff.
Provide departmental leadership for new initiatives and projects.