Senior Clinical Dietitian Specialist

Brown Medicine•Cranston, RI

8d•$74,672 - $123,198•Onsite

About The Position

SUMMARY: Under the general supervision of the Clinical Nutrition Director/Supervisor Clinical Nutrition and in accordance with established policies, procedures, and standards of practice, is responsible for organizing and directing the delivery of quality nutritional care in assigned area of responsibility. Directs the activity of Clinical Dietitian Specialists, Clinical Dietitians and Dietetic Technicians in providing nutritional care to hospitalized patients. Ensures the smooth and effective interface of areas of responsibility with other Food and Nutrition services and hospital areas, such as Nursing Services, Pharmacy, and the Medical Staff. Regularly performs the duties of a Clinical Dietitian. RESPONSIBILITIES: Assumes responsibility for providing nutritional care to a large segment of the hospital, and coordinates assigned responsibilities with other hospital areas in order to ensure the delivery of a comprehensive nutrition care program. In consultation with the Clinical Nutrition Director/Supervisor Clinical Nutrition, develops goals and objectives for areas of responsibility and participates in the development of policies and procedures, governing nutrition care services, utilizes experience-based knowledge in order to recommend procedures and programs for specialty care areas which are assigned areas of responsibility. Serves on hospital interdisciplinary committees as needed when it pertains to their area of responsibility. Supports the goals and initiatives of Brown University Health and the department. Coordinates data collection for Quality Assurance Performance Improvement Programs. Coordinates dietetic internship rotations and evaluations. Ensures the smooth interface of nutritional services with other patient care activities, meets with nursing personnel and medical staff in order to resolve problems and to identify areas of service improvement. In addition to above supervisory duties, regularly performs all the duties of a Clinical Dietitian or Clinical Dietitian Specialist which include: collects data and reviews data collected and/or documented by the dietetic technician and other health care practitioners, patients or staff for factors that affect nutrition and health status. Uses collected data to identify possible problem areas for determining nutrition diagnosis. Re-evaluates and revises nutrition diagnosis(es) per department standards of care. Bases intervention/plan of care on best available research/evidence and information, evidence-based guidelines, and best practices. Documents patients’ nutritional care plans on the Interdisciplinary Plan of Care in addition to routine documentation in patients’ electronic health records and regularly monitors patients’ nutritional status updating the Plan of Care per departmental standards of care. Is a role model to other clinical staff in conducting Nutrition Focused Physical Exams, identifying malnutrition, and planning for follow up after discharge in malnourished patients. Participates in the discharge planning process, evaluating the patient’s condition from a nutritional perspective, and recommending programs, procedures, etc., which will enhance the patient’s readiness for discharge. Conducts individual and group patient nutrition education both inpatient and outpatient, preparing the patient and his/her family for continued care at home. Provides nutrition education, through seminars and workshops, for physicians and other health care professionals, including professional peer groups in the community. Remains current on developments in the area of pediatric nutritional care by participating in continuing education and in-service programs, attending workshops, reading articles and journals. Represents Food &Nutrition Services at interdisciplinary meetings. Participates in patient satisfaction initiatives and department programs in customer service for meeting the department and hospital mission, vision, and goals. May be requested to participate in community and media programs.

Requirements

BASIC KNOWLEDGE: Bachelor’s Degree in Food and Nutrition or a related concentration from a US Accredited College/University approved by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).
Completed ACEND accredited supervised practice program and successfully passed national examination for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), the credentialing agency for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
License as a Dietitian/Nutritionist in the state of Rhode Island (must have within 1 month of hire).
Proof of application for license to be submitted upon employment.
A thorough knowledge of the application of principles of nutrition to human physiology in adult and pediatric disease states.
Thorough knowledge of the nutrition care process and the nutritional values of food and food groups.
The analytical ability to identify overt and potential nutritional problems.
The ability to develop and implement nutritional care programs.
The ability to communicate nutrition education through formal and informal channels.
The administrative ability to direct and coordinate the delivery of quality nutrition care in assigned areas of responsibility.
Maintenance of Commission on Dietetic Registration through completion of 75 hours of continuing education every five years and Rhode Island LDN of 20 hours of continuing education every 2 years.
Ability to resolve patient food service satisfaction issues through a thorough knowledge of patient service operation.
EXPERIENCE: Minimum of 7 years’ experience as a registered dietitian.

Nice To Haves

Membership preferred in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and relevant practice groups such as the Medical Nutrition Practice Group (MNPG) or the Pediatric Nutrition Practice Group (PNPG).

Responsibilities

Assumes responsibility for providing nutritional care to a large segment of the hospital, and coordinates assigned responsibilities with other hospital areas in order to ensure the delivery of a comprehensive nutrition care program.
In consultation with the Clinical Nutrition Director/Supervisor Clinical Nutrition, develops goals and objectives for areas of responsibility and participates in the development of policies and procedures, governing nutrition care services, utilizes experience-based knowledge in order to recommend procedures and programs for specialty care areas which are assigned areas of responsibility.
Serves on hospital interdisciplinary committees as needed when it pertains to their area of responsibility.
Supports the goals and initiatives of Brown University Health and the department.
Coordinates data collection for Quality Assurance Performance Improvement Programs.
Coordinates dietetic internship rotations and evaluations.
Ensures the smooth interface of nutritional services with other patient care activities, meets with nursing personnel and medical staff in order to resolve problems and to identify areas of service improvement.
collects data and reviews data collected and/or documented by the dietetic technician and other health care practitioners, patients or staff for factors that affect nutrition and health status.
Uses collected data to identify possible problem areas for determining nutrition diagnosis.
Re-evaluates and revises nutrition diagnosis(es) per department standards of care.
Bases intervention/plan of care on best available research/evidence and information, evidence-based guidelines, and best practices.
Documents patients’ nutritional care plans on the Interdisciplinary Plan of Care in addition to routine documentation in patients’ electronic health records and regularly monitors patients’ nutritional status updating the Plan of Care per departmental standards of care.
Is a role model to other clinical staff in conducting Nutrition Focused Physical Exams, identifying malnutrition, and planning for follow up after discharge in malnourished patients.
Participates in the discharge planning process, evaluating the patient’s condition from a nutritional perspective, and recommending programs, procedures, etc., which will enhance the patient’s readiness for discharge.
Conducts individual and group patient nutrition education both inpatient and outpatient, preparing the patient and his/her family for continued care at home.
Provides nutrition education, through seminars and workshops, for physicians and other health care professionals, including professional peer groups in the community.
Remains current on developments in the area of pediatric nutritional care by participating in continuing education and in-service programs, attending workshops, reading articles and journals.
Represents Food &Nutrition Services at interdisciplinary meetings.
Participates in patient satisfaction initiatives and department programs in customer service for meeting the department and hospital mission, vision, and goals.
May be requested to participate in community and media programs.