Registered Dietitian

Fresenius Medical Care•Runnemede, NJ

19d•$70,000 - $117,000

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 that help patients achieve individualized goals established by their physicians. The Registered Dietitian assesses patients’ knowledge of diet and kidney disease, provides tailored nutrition education and counseling, completes nutritional assessments, calculates diet prescriptions, and contributes to individualized plans of care. The role monitors nutrition-related outcomes and laboratory results, identifies patients at risk of malnutrition, recommends or adjusts interventions, and documents care according to organizational policies and applicable regulations. The dietitian collaborates with patients, families, caregivers, physicians, facility staff, and interdisciplinary team members on nutrition therapy and related aspects of kidney care. The position works in a healthcare facility environment with air temperature control and moderate noise levels, and may involve exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials. Day-to-day 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 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 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 comprehensive plans of care with the interdisciplinary team in accordance with applicable federal and state requirements.
Calculate diet prescriptions according to standard 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 collaborate with the interdisciplinary team on appropriate interventions, resources, and solutions.
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 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 with the interdisciplinary team 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 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.
When appropriate, work with the Case Manager on patient-education care plans 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 care providers.
Participate in applicable staff, quality-improvement, and care-plan meetings.
Consult the FMS Corporate Dietitian regarding nutrition concerns as needed.
Maintain and improve professional knowledge and skills, including dietetic registration and continuing-education hours required by the Commission on Dietetic Registration and applicable state regulations.
Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team to ensure work areas are safe and clean.
Perform other assigned nutrition-management and related duties.