Registered Dietitian

Fresenius Medical Care•CA157 FMCNA Eucalyptus - Clinic, CA

11d•$71,000 - $117,000

About The Position

The Registered Dietitian provides nutritional services to the facility’s in-center and home patients, as applicable, to maximize nutritional status and improve clinical outcomes. The role is part of the interdisciplinary healthcare team and supports the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP), Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAI) activities, and process improvement efforts focused on patients’ individualized goals. The dietitian assesses patients’ knowledge of diet and kidney disease; provides patient- and caregiver-specific education and counseling; completes nutritional assessments and participates in comprehensive assessments and care planning; calculates diet prescriptions; and documents care in accordance with company policies and applicable regulations. The role monitors nutrition therapy, lab results, albumin, weight, and malnutrition risk, and collaborates with the interdisciplinary team on interventions and recommendations related to nutrition, dialysis adequacy, mineral metabolism, anemia, psychosocial status, access, modality, rehabilitation, and fluid control. The position also participates in QAI reporting, staff and care plan meetings, and Pre-ESRD education; coordinates with case managers and other care providers as appropriate; and maintains professional knowledge, dietetic registration, and required continuing education. The position is 30 hours per week. It requires travel between assigned facilities and community locations, and may require travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings.

Requirements

Registered Dietitian credential as per the Commission on Dietetic Registration.
Current state licensure, if applicable.
Minimum of 1 year of professional work experience in clinical nutrition as a Registered Dietitian.
Demonstrated leadership competencies and skills, including teaching, organizational, communication, customer service, relationship development, results orientation, team-building, and decision-making skills.
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 tailored 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.
Participate in developing written, individualized comprehensive plans of care in accordance with applicable guidelines.
Calculate diet prescriptions according to standards of practice.
Complete progress notes for chronic dialysis patients and maintain accurate medical record documentation.
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 for malnutrition and collaborate with the interdisciplinary team on 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 goals, and address issues affecting patients’ ability to achieve goals.
Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team on Urea Kinetic Modeling recommendations to achieve the physician’s Kt/V prescription.
Collaborate on management and recommendations related to mineral metabolism and renal bone disease, anemia and iron status, nutrition, 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 in providing 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 applicable disease management agreements.
Review nutrition-related laboratory results, counsel patients or caregivers, formulate appropriate actions, recommend treatment changes, and communicate with physicians, facility staff, and other care providers.
Participate in relevant staff, quality improvement, and care plan meetings.
Consult with the FMS 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 assigned nutrition management and related duties.