Registered Dietitian

Fresenius Medical Care•Haltom City, TX

About The Position

Provides nutritional services for the facility’s 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 Quality Enhancement Program (QEP), Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAI) activities, and process improvement efforts that help patients achieve individualized goals set by their physicians. The Registered Dietitian assesses patients’ knowledge of diet and kidney disease, provides patient-specific education and nutrition counseling, completes nutritional and interdisciplinary assessments, calculates diet prescriptions, and contributes to individualized plans of care. The role monitors nutrition therapy and outcomes, identifies patients who are malnourished or at risk, reviews albumin and body weight at least monthly, and works with patients, caregivers, and the interdisciplinary team to address barriers and adjust care. The position also reviews and communicates nutrition-related laboratory results, collaborates on recommendations concerning dialysis adequacy and other clinical areas, documents care in accordance with company policies and applicable regulations, participates in meetings and quality improvement activities, and maintains dietetic registration and continuing education. The role requires travel between assigned facilities and other community locations; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may also be required.

Requirements

Registered Dietitian credential as per 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 ability to teach, strong organizational skills, 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 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 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 in accordance with company 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 for malnutrition and collaborate with the interdisciplinary team on interventions, resources, or solutions.
Review each patient’s albumin level and body weight at least monthly and 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 related barriers, and implement care plans to address them.
Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team on Urea Kinetic Modeling recommendations to achieve the physician’s Kt/V prescription.
Collaborate on management and recommendations concerning mineral metabolism and renal bone disease, anemia and iron status, nutrition, psychosocial status, vascular access, modality, rehabilitation, and sodium/volume control.
Follow FMCNA 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, according to 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 other care providers as appropriate.
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 knowledge and skills for competent, innovative practice; maintain dietetic registration and continuing education hours as specified by the American Dietetic Association 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.