Registered Dietitian

Fresenius Medical Care•Birmingham, AL

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), Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAI), and other process improvement activities that help patients achieve individualized goals established by their physicians. Assesses patients’ knowledge of diet and kidney disease, provides education tailored to their learning needs, and offers patient-specific education to patients and their families or caregivers about nutritional status, adequacy measures, fluid status, and nutrition-related laboratory results. Completes nutritional assessments and participates in interdisciplinary comprehensive assessments and development of written, individualized plans of care. Calculates diet prescriptions according to standard practice and provides ongoing nutrition assessment and counseling. Identifies patients who are malnourished or at risk of malnutrition and works with the interdisciplinary team to determine appropriate interventions. Monitors nutrition therapy adherence and response, adjusts therapy as needed, documents barriers to achieving goals, and implements care plans with patient and caregiver involvement. Reviews nutrition-related laboratory results, counsels patients or caregivers, recommends treatment changes, and communicates results and recommendations to physicians, facility staff, and other care providers as appropriate. Maintains accurate medical records and completes progress notes in accordance with company policies, guidelines, and applicable regulations. Participates in QAI reporting, staff and care plan meetings, and coordination of pre-ESRD education. Maintains professional knowledge, skills, dietetic registration, and required continuing education. The role has no supervisory responsibilities and requires travel between assigned facilities and community locations; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may also be required.

Requirements

Registered Dietitian credential through 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, organization, 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 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 and results, fluid status, and nutrition-related laboratory parameters.
Complete nutritional assessments and participate in interdisciplinary comprehensive assessments.
Participate in developing written, individualized comprehensive plans of care that address patient needs and comply with applicable guidelines.
Calculate diet prescriptions according to standard practice.
Complete progress notes for chronic dialysis patients and maintain complete, accurate medical record documentation.
Provide ongoing nutrition assessment and outcome-oriented counseling to help patients achieve and maintain effective nutritional status.
Identify malnourished patients and patients at risk for malnutrition, and collaborate with the interdisciplinary team on appropriate interventions, resources, or solutions.
Review each patient’s albumin level and body weight at least monthly and implement the plan of care with patient and family or caregiver involvement.
Monitor adherence and response to nutrition therapy, adjust therapy as needed, document barriers to 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/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 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 relevant care providers.
Participate in staff, quality improvement, care plan, and other applicable meetings.
Consult the Corporate Dietitian regarding nutrition concerns as needed.
Maintain and improve professional knowledge and skills, dietetic registration, and continuing education as required.
Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team to ensure work areas are safe and clean.
Perform other nutrition management and related duties as assigned.