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Opportunities with Reliant Medical Group , part of the Optum family of businesses. Join a community-based, multi-specialty, physician-led organization where you will work with talented peers on a common purpose: improving the quality, cost and experience of health care. Here, we focus on delivering the best patient care, rather than volume. Through innovation and superior care management, we support patients and your well-being as a team member. Join a team at the forefront of value-based care and discover the meaning behind Caring. Connecting. Growing together.Position in this function is responsible for maintaining telephonic contact with patients who are preparing to undergo weight loss surgery, as well as those who have undergone weight loss surgery. Answers patient calls, meets with patients, provides introductory and pre-operative bariatric classes, and acts as liaison between patient and members of the bariatric team and health care system. Participates in the continuous improvement of the program, co-facilitates and encourages patient attendance at the monthly Life After Bariatric Surgery Group. Leads monthly bariatric team meeting.Position in this function is responsible for the provision and coordination of nutritional care of patients. Evaluates and interprets current nutrition research and disseminates this information to patients, support staff and healthcare providers. Develops and conducts nutrition education programs for patients, staff, community organizations and the local business community.Location: Hybrid - This individual will consult with Bariatric patients in person and telephonicallySchedule: Part Time - three days, 24 hours per weekSpecialty: BariatricsPrimary Responsibilities:
Nutrition Education Specialist
Coordinates a variety of preoperative functions for patients, such as, leads monthly bariatric team meeting, compiles patient lists, discussion list, and agenda for BSU team members. Assists surgeon in review of patients (those approved by both nutrition and behavioral medicine departments) records for appropriate screenings (colonoscopy, pap smear, mammography, and CPAP use). Emails team meeting minutes and patient lists to bariatric team
Co-Facilitates monthly Life After Bariatric Surgery Group meeting. Plans topic for each session. Contacts speakers/presenters. Provides and posts bariatric surgery appropriate monthly recipes on RMG website. Manages bariatric email distribution list through a secure third party vendor. Sends bi-monthly emails out to patients informing them of topics, monthly recipes and pertinent announcements. Updates Bariatric Surgery Reliant Medical group website, when appropriate
Acts as liaison between Reliant Medical Group bariatric surgery team and Saint Vincent’s Hospital bariatric surgery team by participating in Bi-monthly Saint Vincent’s bariatric quality improvement meeting. Communicates with nutrition department at Saint Vincent’s Hospital regarding dietary recommendations after bariatric surgery.
Post-op Management
Continuously updates Excel spreadsheets documenting patient surgery dates, current appointments dates for patients up to 1 year after surgery to remain in compliance with ASMBS guidelines for MBSAQIP accreditation
Contacts patients who have failed to keep post-operative nutrition appointments, particularly within the first year following surgery to review nutrition related-concerns, reschedule appointments and encourage continued contact with the bariatric team
Proactively facilitates a plan of care for at-risk post-operative patients with other members of the health care team, including but not limited to BSU team, PCPs, and Care Coordination
Documents patient interventions in EPIC
Contacts patients telephonically up to 1 year after surgery to assess their bariatric needs and nutrition status in terms of vitamin and mineral supplementation, laboratory work, as well as weight loss maintenance. Encourages follow-up with BSU team membersMonitors latest research on bariatric surgery and nutrition, as well as American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) guidelines. Updates anniversary letters sent to patients after surgery to include updated guidelines on nutrition, vitamin and mineral supplementation and any other pertinent information
Sends anniversary letters to patients further than 1 year out from surgery, unless lost to follow up
Patients lost to follow-up must have a minimum of two efforts to contact the patient (including one phone call and one letter) for each follow-up period (defined as 30 days, six months, one year, and annually thereafter). Patient contact attempts must be documented in the patient record for all patients. It is mandatory that all patients are followed through the first year following surgery (in other words, 30 days, six months, and one year)
The center may cease attempts to contact patients after the patient is lost to follow-up for two consecutive follow-up periods (in other words, a patient who does not return for six-month and one-year visits may be considered lost to follow-up)
Assists Outpatient Bariatric Coordinator in maintaining bariatric data base
Covers Outpatient Bariatric Coordinator in absence
Nutrition Education Specialist
Performs age appropriate nutrition assessments, evaluation and education for patient base seeking services from Reliant Medical Group. Demonstrates proficiency in age/condition specific appropriate nutrition history taking including presenting condition, past medical/nutritional history. Performs assessment of client’s readiness for change and adjusts education goals as appropriate. Requests lab studies when indicated. Discriminates between normal and abnormal lab findings in order to develop nutrition education plan. Establishes age appropriate plan of nutrition care related to patient’s identified problem, including medication, nutrition history, education level and socioeconomic status, etc. Consults with other health care team members regarding nutrition care plan as necessary. Implements plan in safe and effective manner
Utilizes sound judgement in the establishment of priorities in patient’s care and management
Documents visit in concise, clear, logical manner. Evaluates need and/or time for follow-up
Recommends appropriate referrals when necessary. Evaluates effectiveness of previously implemented nutrition education/treatment. Develops and provides educational materials and/or programs to patients, families, healthcare professionals in the Reliant Medical Group Healthcare System. Interprets current nutrition research for patients and healthcare staff. Maintains professional certification as appropriate. Communicates effectively with all members of the healthcare team and their customers Demonstrates effective teaching skills
Accepts responsibility for minimizing risk management. Educates patients and staff regarding drug-nutrient interaction. Alerts appropriate medical staff of need for immediate intervention of high-risk patients. Initiates and coordinates team meeting for high-risk patients
Enhances professional growth and self-development through participation in professional activities, educational programs, current literature review, in-service program, and workshops. Participates in defining nutrition standards, practices and educational needs of staff who care for the patient population. Participates in nutrition research as opportunity arises. Serves on appropriate healthcare system committees. Attends and actively participates in Pedi/Prenatal or Adult Nutrition. Education Specialist staff meetings and general department staff meeting. Participates in research studies to evaluate effectiveness of nutrition intervention on health outcomes. Conducts Journal Club for Nutrition Education Specialist staff. Develops and conducts continuing education programs for healthcare providers
You’ll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.Required Qualifications:
Active R.D., L.D. status
Active R.D. status with the American Dietetic Association
Current LDN status with MA licensing board
3+ years of progressive nutrition educator experience in a health care facility or company
Proven experience in developing and conducting group nutrition education programs
Proficient in MS office applications, especially Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access
Unless certification, licensure or registration is required, an equivalent combination of education and experience, which provides proficiency in the areas of responsibility listed in this description, may be substituted for the above requirements.Physical Requirement:
Physical health sufficient to meet the ergonomic standards and demands of the position
At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and make the health system work better for everyone. We believe everyone–of every race, gender, sexuality, age, location and income–deserves the opportunity to live their healthiest life. Today, however, there are still far too many barriers to good health which are disproportionately experienced by people of color, historically marginalized groups and those with lower incomes. We are committed to mitigating our impact on the environment and enabling and delivering equitable care that addresses health disparities and improves health outcomes — an enterprise priority reflected in our mission.Diversity creates a healthier atmosphere: OptumCare is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employers and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.OptumCare is a drug-free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.
