Registered Dietitian

Fresenius Medical Care•Cleveland, OH

12d

About The Position

Provides nutritional services to 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 organization’s Quality Enhancement Program and Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement activities. The role includes patient assessment and education, developing and implementing individualized nutrition plans of care, monitoring outcomes, maintaining accurate medical records, and collaborating with clinicians and other care team members. The position requires travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may also be required. The work environment is characteristic of a healthcare facility, with controlled air temperature and moderate noise levels. The role may involve exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials and includes desk and computer work as well as interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians. There is no supervisory responsibility.

Requirements

Registered Dietitian credential as specified by the Commission on Dietetic Registration.
Current state licensure, where 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 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 tailored to their learning needs.
Educate patients, families, and caregivers about nutritional status, adequacy measures and results, fluid status, and relevant 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 requirements.
Calculate diet prescriptions according to standards of practice.
Complete progress notes for chronic dialysis patients and maintain accurate medical records according to organizational policies and applicable regulations.
Provide ongoing nutrition assessment and outcome-oriented counseling to help patients achieve and sustain effective nutritional status.
Identify patients who are malnourished or at risk of malnutrition and collaborate with the interdisciplinary team on appropriate interventions and resources.
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; document unmet goals and address barriers to achieving them.
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 concerning mineral metabolism and renal bone disease, anemia and iron status, nutrition, psychosocial status, vascular access, modality, rehabilitation, and sodium and volume control.
Follow organizational algorithms and medical record policies.
Report nutrition Quality Assessment and Improvement results and participate in the interdisciplinary quality improvement program.
Coordinate with team members to provide pre-ESRD education as appropriate.
Work with the Case Manager, when appropriate, to coordinate patient education 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 physicians, facility staff, and other care providers as appropriate.
Communicate laboratory results and recommended treatment changes to providers in nursing facilities, hospitals, and short- or long-term care facilities.
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, and maintain dietetic registration and continuing education hours as 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.