Ensure that quality nutritional care is provided to patients in a timely manner according to established screening and assessment standards. Develop and implement individualized, interdisciplinary nutrition care plans based on a patient's nutritional status and patient/family education needs. Collaborate with the interdisciplinary health care team, and document appropriate nutrition information in the medical record.



Essential Functions:



• Obtain and interpret clinical information to screen and triage patients by nutritional risk according to standards of care.


• Develop and implement nutrition care plans based on assessment of nutritional needs and in collaboration with the health care team. Incorporate cultural and religious needs to best of ability. Provide follow-up nutrition intervention and monitoring as needed.


• Document in the medical record in compliance with department standards. Maintain up-to-date patient records, including patient profiles and on-line documentation.


• Assign malnutrition diagnosis based on criteria provided and document in the medical record.


• Counsel and educate patients and their families on prescribed therapeutic diets, taking into account patient's lifestyle, socio-economic status, and ability to understand and comply with the diet.


• Cover specialty areas as assigned and serve as a resource for fellow clinical dietitians (s) to


• ensure basic competency of staff in all areas (e.g. Nutrition Support, Eating Disorders, Pediatrics, Special Care Nursery, Critical Care Unit).


• Develop resources and materials necessary for the nutrition education of patients and their families.


• Conduct meal rounds to monitor food quality, and patients' intake and tolerance of meals. Act as liaison between food service and clinical areas to ensure that meal service is provided efficiently and in compliance with the diet order.


• Coordinate activities with food service staff to ensure meals, supplements, and/or nutrition support is provided cost effectively, efficiently, and in compliance with the prescribed care plan.


• Review patients' menu selections to monitor compliance with modified diets.


• Participate in interdisciplinary teams and committees including but not limited to Nutrition Advisory Committee, Stroke Team and ICU Rounds as assigned.


• Collaborate with other members of the health care team on discharge planning as needed. Provide referral for post-discharge nutritional care and communicate with outpatient dietitians and/or home care companies as appropriate.


• On weekends, complete all consultations in the clinical area according to standards of care and provide follow-up care as delineated in Weekend Log. Investigate patient food service issues and serve as a resource for the weekend food service supervisor as needed.


• Pursue professional activities and participate in continuing education to remain up to date on current nutrition issues.


• Serve as resource on nutrition issues for the medical and nursing staff. Provide in-service education to other members of the health care team, including students, as requested.


• Provide in-service education for Call Center Representatives, Room Service Ambassadors and other department staff.


• Participate in departmental and interdepartmental quality improvement activities by helping to identify problems and develop workable solutions.


• Participate in meetings to improve department's overall function and communication (e.g. Professional Staff Meetings, Nutrition Roundtable, Dietitian Meetings, and individual meetings with clinical manager).


• Provide ongoing user input on computer-related issues ( Epic, CBORD).


• Utilize patient and diet office information systems to coordinate nutrition care plan (e.g. nourishments, calorie counts, menu adjustments). Assist with evaluating diet compliances and establishing modified diet meal patterns as needed.


• Develop and participate in community educational programs and initiatives including lectures, workshops, articles for hospital and local publications, and media spots on nutrition related topics as requested by NWH's department of Public Affairs.



Qualifications

Qualifications:



Education


• Bachelor's Degree in Food and Nutrition or Equivalent.


• Qualified to take the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics Registration Exam


• Qualified to apply for licensure after passing the AND Registration Exam, in which case employment is contingent upon obtaining licensure within three months of passing AND Registration Exam.


Experience


Demonstrates leadership abilities evidenced by:


• ability to communicate effectively


• ability to evaluate and problem solve


• ability to deal well with people


• ability to work independently and self-correct


• ability to guide, teach and motivate others


Knowledge and Skills


• Knowledge of the special needs and behaviors of infant, child, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients preferred.