JOB SUMMARY: Under general supervision, the SLH Clinical Dietician develops and implements nutritional care plans and dietary treatments including therapeutic diets for patients. Discusses individual patient nutritional needs with heath team members. Clinical Dietitians have the required professional dietetic experience and are capable of independently performing the full range of clinical dietetic duties. Ensures patient satisfaction, quality care, regulatory agency compliance, and good public relations are achieved through the safe and efficient use of resources. Performs related duties as required. DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification, however, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Not all duties listed are necessarily performed by each individual in the classification.
Assesses the nutritional status of patients through documentation in the medical record; interprets physician’s diet orders. Modifies menus for therapeutic diets based on current diet manual; orders appropriate foods; verifies conformance of food served with dietary prescriptions and standards of quality; calculates caloric and specified nutrient values for special diets and tube feedings. Develops and revises a nutrition care plan based on information from the patient, medical record, family and health care team members.
Assesses and monitors patient’s tolerance and acceptance of internal feedings and revises nutritional care plans accordingly. Determines results of nutritional intervention on patients’ nutritional and medical status. Identifies patients at nutritional risk, and prioritizes nutrition intervention according to greatest needs.
Incorporates current evidence-based research into practice.
Assesses nutritional status using recognized parameters. Obtains, evaluates and utilizes diet history, laboratory values, medications, anthropometric data, etc. to plan and implement nutritional care plans for patients; records pertinent dietetic information in patient’s medical records. Completes all required documentation, reports and logs in a timely, professional and thorough manner.
Assists in ongoing quality assurance program that monitors patient care and delivery of nutritional care services; participates in applied research and related dietetic professional activities; prepares special studies and reports; provides nutrition
Education to dietetic personnel. Assists in instructing Room Service Coordinator and Food Service staff in dietary practices.
Attends meetings and conferences with other health care team members; participates in relevant professional self-development and continuing educational programs. Orients, mentors and trains staff and interns as applicable.
Communicates pertinent information and discusses patients’ nutritional care needs with health care team; educates and provides orientation to health care team on nutrition related topics; informs health care team about laws, regulations and professional guidelines related to nutrition care. Develops educational materials and uses them as aids in nutrition education; provides dietetic counseling to patients about meeting specific nutritional needs; instructs patients and families in dietary plans, food selection and adapting menus to individual needs.
Contributes to patient satisfaction goals by providing quality service.
Participates in hospital-wide and department Performance Improvement Program and on Performance Improvement teams to improve processes and patient care. Read and complies with all policies and procedures. Projects and practices consistent ownership attributes, which provide a high level of customer service at all points of contact.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Food & Nutrition of Dietetics.Preferred Experience: The equivalent of six months full-time experience in the class of Dietitian I; OR completion of an the equivalent of one-year full-time experience as a dietitian in a large acute-care hospital institution.Required Licenses/Certifications: Must possess current registration as a dietitian issued by the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics
