Inpatient Clinical Dietitian (Registered Dietitian)

POSITION SUMMARY:

Assesses and coordinates  medical nutrition therapy and nutrition education activities for patients. Plans and provides nutritional care to patients by interpreting and adapting physician prescribed diets and nutrition support interventions to individual needs.  Responsible for creating diet regimens for patients and for educating individuals on the benefits of maintaining proper dietary standards. Evaluates and assesses patient responses to diet therapy through direct interview, calculating nutrient intake and lab values and monitoring tolerance of foods, tube feedings and/or parenteral nutrition. The work of the dietitian may vary based on assigned patient population or department.

Position: Inpatient Clinical Dietitian (Registered Dietitian)      

Department: Nutrition Clinical

Schedule: Full Time

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES:

• Provides nutritional care to hospitalized patients; reviews MD prescription for patients’ feedings and interviews patients to obtain information regarding nutrition history for guidance in planning diet or nutrition support interventions; assesses nutritional status based on laboratory values, medical and nutritional history and medical/surgical condition; develops nutritional care plans based on this information in accordance with accepted AND (Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics) standards of practice and written department protocols.  Documents in the electronic health record (EHR) using the nutrition care process, consults with physicians regarding possible changes in diet orders or enteral nutrition regimens; develops and plans individual diet therapy including necessary supplements and tube feedings.  Maintains record of all patients seen and recommended therapeutic action, makes referrals for follow-up nutritional care when appropriate.
• Monitors patients to determine changes in nutritional status; i.e., check weights and lab values; assess nutritional adequacy of patient’s intake of food, tube feeding or parenteral nutrition solutions  as necessary.  Recommends supplements and/or tube feedings; monitors tube feedings for tolerance and assists physician in determining changing to tube feeding regimen, including formulation selections, rate and amount as appropriate.  Performs nutritional support assessments (including intravenous or other peripherals nutrition solutions ) as assigned.  All clinical data is documented in the EHR based on departmental policies. Assesses nutritional status based on laboratory values, medical and nutritional history and medical/surgical condition; develops nutritional care plans based on this information in accordance with accepted (AND) standards of practice and written department protocols.  Consults with physicians regarding managing malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies, suggesting interventions to help improve oral intake and assisting with GI-related interventions as needed. Performs Nutrition Focused Physical Exams  (NFPE) on all patients, as able, to assess for malnutrition diagnosis and micronutrient deficiencies.
• Instructs patients and their families, singularly and in groups, regarding diet therapy after hospitalization; i.e., the principle of nutrition, the purpose and use of diet, food selection and preparation, and adopting food plans to individual needs.
• Participates in multidisciplinary discharge planning rounds to receive information on condition, treatment, and discharge planning of patients on assigned units ; discusses dietary requirements, treatments, diet plans and case studies.
• Participates in daily rounds with medical/surgical teams as necessary. Meets with the nutrition support dietitian to discuss continuity of care for critically ill patients with stabilized conditions who become the responsibility of the staff dietitian. Participates as needed in the weekly multidisciplinary, Nutrition Support Rounds.
• Provides in-service education in nutrition to hospital personnel (i.e. nurses, medical students and residents); compiles and develops educational materials for use in individual and group classes.  Acts as preceptor in the education/training of dietetic interns and medical staff. 
• Provides nutritional care when consulted for several malnourished and/or critically ill patients; diagnoses malnutrition and documents in EHR using BMC approved malnutrition diagnostic criteria; utilizes the nutrition-focused physical exam to assess nutritional status; evaluates patient’s nutritional needs and develops nutritional care plan; determines solutions for total parenteral nutrition and tube feedings when appropriate and submit to MD for approval as well as chart in the medical records. Monitors patients throughout their course to assess nutritional status; i.e., reviews daily intake, laboratory values, anthropometrics and the nutrition focused physical exam; prepares diet plans for the patient’s transition from TPN or Tube feeding, to supplements and regular food.   
• May cover in other specialty areas trained for, when needed, such as NICU and pediatric units Utilizes hospital’s behavioral standards as the basis for decision making and to support the hospital’s mission and goals.
• Follows established hospital infection control and safety procedures.

OTHER DUTIES:

Performs related duties as needed / as assigned

(The above statements in this job description are intended to depict the general nature and level of work assigned to the employee(s) in this job.  The above is not intended to represent an exhaustive list of accountable duties and responsibilities required).

JOB REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION:

Bachelor’s degree required in Nutrition or related discipline (e.g. Public Health Nutrition, Dietetics/Nutrition Education, Exercise Physiology, Food and Nutrition, Food Safety, Food Science, Food Service System Management, Hospitality Management, Medical Nutrition Therapy/Human Nutrition, Nutrition Biochemistry/Metabolism, Nutrition Science, Sports Nutrition).

Master’s degree preferred, but not required.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED:

 Must have completed an approved dietetic internship or comparable alternate through the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND). Must be credentialed as a Registered Dietitian (RD) through the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) and maintain the registration status.

Licensed (LDN) by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Division of Professional Licensure is  required by the department.

LDN (Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist) preferred. 

Additional advanced board certifications preferred for complex patient population:

Certified Nutrition Support Clinician (CNSC), Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC), Pediatric Critical Care Nutrition (CSPCC), Certified Pediatric Nutrition (CSP), Certified Specialist in Obesity and Weight Management (CSOWM), Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE), or other advanced board certification.

EXPERIENCE:

Must have completed AND-approved internship or comparable alternate

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• General clinical understanding of metabolism in relation to clinical nutrition; knowledge of food chemistry and macro/micro nutrient composition of foods.
• Work requires the interpersonal skills sufficient to explain nutritional care o patients and alleviate apprehensions, as well as effectively interact and communicate with physicians, fellows, nursing, etc.
• High level of analytical skills to interpret laboratory data, identify and plan individual nutrition therapy and assess nutrition care plans  and their physiologic effect.
• Ability to work in a fast paced changing environment.
• Basic computer proficiency inclusive of ability to access, enter, and interpret computerized data/information.
• Competent to provide nutrition support to assigned population group.

Works occasional holidays and rotating weekends

Compensation Range:

This range offers an estimate based on the minimum job qualifications. However, our approach to determining base pay is comprehensive, and a broad range of factors is considered when making an offer. This includes education, experience, and licensure/certifications directly related to position requirements. In addition, BMCHS offers generous total compensation that includes, but is not limited to, benefits (medical, dental, vision, pharmacy), contract increases, Flexible Spending Accounts, 403(b) savings matches, earned time cash out, paid time off, career advancement opportunities, and resources to support employee and family wellbeing.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veterans

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