The Nutritionist is responsible for performing the nutritional assessment of all Ambulatory Cardiac Rehabilitation patients and for the development of an individualized treatment plan. Candidate will possess strong interpersonal, counseling, and interviewing skills. Role requires leadership and active participation in a variety of settings including team meetings, one to one patient counseling and exercise classes. Candidate will be required to educate patients, their families and the medical staff around the principles of healthy nutrition and Cardiovascular Health. The Sr. Nutritionist will serve as a resource for the BWH, the BW/MG HCC and community.
This position is Temporary with an expected duration of 6 months with hospital option to extend or shorten based on clinical or other needs.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Maintains excellent rapport and effective working relationships with patients and their families, physicians, nurses, cardiac rehab staff, managers, and the administration.
Interviews cardiac rehabilitation patients to assess and evaluate social, financial, environmental, and medical factors impacting nutritional status; reviews patient information obtained from medical records, and/or health care providers, to determine patient needs.
Counsels individual cardiac rehabilitation patients and documents per standards of practice in Epic. Uses behavioral and attitude change treatment modalities along with motivational interviewing.
Co-leads cardiac rehabilitation group sessions focusing on nutritional management of cardiac disease, weight management and other principles of healthy nutrition.
Participates as a team member in conferences on behalf of patients with other health care professionals, and communicates to patient care staff any nutritional problems which may affect a patient's response to overall medical care and treatment.
Interprets, evaluates, and utilizes pertinent current research related to nutritional care, and presents such at team conferences or MD correspondence
As warranted, collaborates with inpatient dietitians re: patient referrals; discharge and continuing care plans.
Participates in quality improvement projects and or research with the cardiac rehab team.
Participates in patient satisfaction surveys and customer service issues at the center.
Serves as a nutrition consultant, resource, and lecturer for health care providers, students, and the community.
Collects and reports productivity, clinical outcomes data and patient satisfaction survey data.
Performs other duties as requested by management staff.
Assists in clinical exercise sessions as needed in the gym: Monitors patients' weekly weights and blood glucose levels. Provides 1:1 counseling during exercise sessions and encourages patients to focus on a heart healthy lifestyle.
Assists RN and PT with LSI monitoring, maintenance and patient flow as needed during exercise sessions.
Qualifications
QUALIFICATIONS:
Successful completion of a Bachelor of Science Degree (Master's Degree preferred) from an accredited school within the allied health professions, with specialization in nutrition education and counseling, community dietetics, research, and methodology.
Successful completion of an ACEND-accredited dietetic internship resulting in maintenance of professional registration with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Licensed dietitian in MA.
5+ years related experience in the areas of clinical/community nutrition.
Certification in American Heart Association's Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers.
Must be available Tuesday and Wednesday from 8-4:30.
CRITICAL COMPETENCIES:
Communication Skills
Writes clear and concise nutrition information in the medical record per standards of practice.
Verbally presents information, opinions, and observations with clarity and with accuracy.
Organization
Effectively and efficiently organizes own responsibilities to deliver nutritional care per standards of practice.
Contributes to group input decisions.
Schedules time to meet needs of patients and the cardiac rehabilitation program.
Consolidates and reports diverse viewpoints.
Demonstrates skills in management for effective unit operations.
Teamwork
Must have interpersonal skills and demonstrates flexibility and willingness to adapt as a member of the cardiac rehab team.
Integrity/Trustworthiness
Displays high ethical standards and appropriate sense of loyalty.
Maintains confidentiality.
Follows through on commitments.
Presents herself or himself in ways (dress, language, behavior) that models professionalism and develops credibility.
Inspires strong belief in others concerning his or her judgment.
Teaching Skills
Effectively educates cardiac rehab patients and family members regarding nutritional plans of care.
Effectively educates cardiac rehab team and other health care providers and regarding nutritional needs of patients.
Analytical Skills
Synthesizes diverse information and effectively develops nutrition care plans for the more complex patients.
Recognizes the causes, effects, and consequences of the chosen course of action, as well as those of the alternative courses of action.
Identifies and summarizes key points from lab data, medical/surgical courses, etc.
Spots potential obstacles ahead of time and determines practical, effective ways to hurdle those obstacles.
Age Specific
Dietitians responsible for the cardiac rehabilitation unit at Foxborough are required to be competent in the nutrition care of the adult (18-65 years) and geriatric (> 65 years) patient populations.
SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:
Work requires understanding of BWH, BW/ MG HCC, Department and Unit organization, personnel, policies and procedures, and the knowledge of the community's needs and resources.
Must possess high level of analytical abilities to determine medical, environmental, and psycho-social components which affect the nutritional status of individuals, families, or groups; must be able to make accurate nutritional assessments according to state-of-the-art research, and to develop and monitor appropriate care plans; work requires thorough working knowledge of food composition and food/nutrient and drug/nutrient interactions as well as the nutritional management of heart disease and related disorders/co-existing conditions.
Must possess high level of interpersonal skills in order to provide effective nutrition counseling and education that facilitates behavior and attitude change in individuals and groups of diverse backgrounds, and to influence positive regard of ambulatory health care providers and contract institution administrators for the work of the service; must have the ability to communicate effectively in speech and writing.
Must possess sound decision-making, short and long-range planning skills, and creative brainstorming skills to contribute to the successful management of the unit.
Must be able to analyze and evaluate nutrition research and disseminate accurate information to professionals and lay population. Must be able to analyze and evaluate outcome data regarding benefits of medical nutrition therapy and/or patient/provider satisfaction.
Work requires flexibility and independent judgment in daily functioning within the multidisciplinary settings of the cardiac rehabilitation service.
In-depth knowledge of nutrition, metabolism and nutritional biochemistry in relation to specialized area of patient care.
Advanced knowledge of food chemistry and macro, micro-nutrient composition for successful alteration of nutrition program in cardiovascular disease and related co-morbidities
Basic management and personnel skills for interaction with a diverse group of people in the work setting (including physicians, nurses, and other allied health professionals, managers, and support personnel).
High level of interpersonal skills necessary to provide counseling in specialization to patients and their families on nutrition related problems.
Leadership abilities to conduct programs within the service and with the community at large.
Ability to work in a changing environment.
EEO Statement
Brigham and Women's Hospital is an Affirmative Action Employer. By embracing diverse skills, perspectives and ideas, we choose to lead. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.
