Registered Dietitian

Fresenius Medical Care•Rockledge, FL

26d

About The Position

Provides nutritional services for in-center and home patients, as applicable, to maximize nutritional status and improve clinical outcomes. As a member of the interdisciplinary healthcare team, supports the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAI) activities, and participates in process improvement to help patients achieve individualized, physician-determined goals. Assesses patients’ understanding of diet and kidney disease and provides education tailored to their learning needs. Delivers patient-specific education to patients and their families or caregivers about nutritional status, adequacy measures, fluid status, and nutrition-related laboratory results. Completes nutritional and interdisciplinary assessments, calculates diet prescriptions, and helps develop and implement individualized plans of care. Provides ongoing nutrition assessment and counseling, monitors response and adherence to nutrition therapy, and adjusts care as needed. Identifies patients who are malnourished or at risk and collaborates with the interdisciplinary team on interventions. Reviews albumin and body weight at least monthly, documents care and progress according to company policies and applicable regulations, and communicates relevant laboratory results and recommended changes to providers and facility staff. The role works with the interdisciplinary team on recommendations related to dialysis adequacy, mineral metabolism, renal bone disease, anemia and iron status, psychosocial status, vascular access, modality, rehabilitation, and sodium and volume control. It also contributes to QAI reporting, Pre-ESRD education, staff and care plan meetings, and coordination of nutrition-related patient education and referrals. The dietitian maintains professional knowledge, registration, and applicable continuing education, and helps ensure work areas are safe and clean. The work environment is a healthcare facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise; exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials may occur. Work includes desk and computer use 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. No supervision is provided.

Requirements

Registered Dietitian credential as specified by the Commission on Dietetic Registration.
Current state licensure, if applicable.
At least one year of professional work experience in clinical nutrition as a Registered Dietitian.
Demonstrated competencies including teaching ability, strong organizational skills, 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 and their families or 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 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 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 malnourished patients and patients 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 achieving 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 on management and recommendations regarding mineral metabolism and renal bone disease, anemia and iron status, nutritional and 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 to provide Pre-ESRD education as appropriate.
Work with the Case Manager on patient education plans and identify candidates for physician referral for nutritional supplements, as appropriate.
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.
Participate in staff, quality improvement, care plan, and other applicable meetings.
Consult with the corporate dietitian regarding nutrition concerns as needed.
Maintain and improve professional knowledge and skills, dietetic registration, and required continuing education.
Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team to ensure work areas are safe and clean.
Perform other assigned nutrition management and related duties.