Union Dietitian

Fresenius Medical Care•Mayagüez, PR

15d

About The Position

Provides nutritional services to 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 FMCNA Quality Enhancement Program (QEP), Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAI) activities, and process improvement efforts focused on individualized patient goals. The Dietitian assesses patients’ knowledge of diet and kidney disease, provides patient- and caregiver-specific nutrition education and counseling, completes nutritional and interdisciplinary assessments, calculates diet prescriptions, and contributes to individualized plans of care. The role monitors nutritional status, laboratory results, treatment adherence, and response to nutrition therapy; identifies malnutrition and related risks; and recommends or adjusts interventions in collaboration with patients, caregivers, physicians, and the interdisciplinary team. Responsibilities also include accurate medical-record documentation, participation in quality and care-planning meetings, coordination of patient education, and maintaining professional knowledge and credentials. The work environment is characteristic of a healthcare facility, with controlled air temperature and moderate noise. The employee may be exposed to infectious and contagious diseases or materials. Work includes desk and personal-computer tasks and interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians. Travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community is required; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may also be required. The position has no supervisory responsibilities.

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 leadership competencies and skills, including teaching, strong organization, 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, 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 with the interdisciplinary team in developing written, individualized comprehensive plans of care in accordance with applicable federal and state guidelines.
Calculate diet prescriptions according to standards of practice.
Complete progress notes for chronic dialysis patients and maintain complete, accurate medical records in accordance with FMCNA policies and applicable regulations.
Provide ongoing nutrition assessments 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, and solutions.
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 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 and renal bone disease, anemia and iron status, nutritional and 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 to provide Pre-ESRD education as appropriate.
When appropriate, work with the Case Manager 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 actions, recommend treatment changes, and communicate results and recommendations to the interdisciplinary team, physicians, facility staff, and relevant care providers.
Participate in relevant staff, quality improvement, care plan, and other applicable meetings.
Consult with the FMS Corporate Dietitian about nutrition concerns as needed.
Maintain and improve professional knowledge and skills; maintain dietetic registration and continuing education hours required by the American Dietetic Association and applicable state licensure regulations.
Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team to ensure work areas are safe and clean.
Perform other assigned nutrition-management and related duties.