Clinical Dietician |
| Location: | Lafayette, IN |
| Exempt/Non-Exempt: | Exempt |
| Benefits: | Benefit Eligible |
| Type: | Full-Time |
| Facility: | St. Elizabeth Regional Health |
| Description: | The Clinical Dietitian primarily conducts nutrition assessments, assesses special nutritional needs, develops and implements nutrition care plans. Assists in supervision of Nutrition Technicians in their daily work. In Home Healthcare/Hospice, works directly with the Regional Director or designated clinical manager. |
| Duties: | Nutritional Assessment & Management of Data
Interprets, evaluates, and utilizes pertinent current research related nutritional care.
Screens patients for nutritional risk, setting priorities for further assessment/intervention.
Interviews “at-risk” patients to obtain diet history and nutritional history.
Conducts a nutrition assessment of at-risk patients.
Assesses special nutritional needs and behaviors of specific age groups that include infants, pediatrics, adolescents, adult, and geriatric populations.
Develops and implements a nutrition care plan based on an assessment of the patients nutritional status.
Performs calorie counts per physician referral or at the recommendation of nursing or a dietitian.
Attends and participates in unit patient care conferences.
Calculates enteral and parenteral nutrition support needs as indicated.
Nutrition Counseling and Education
Instructs inpatients/outpatients and/or family members on their prescribed diet, through physician referral. Provides information/clarification regarding prescribed diets to patient/family at their request.
Selects appropriate educational material based on an assessment of the patient/family learning needs.
Effectively teaches patient nutrition classes and educational in-services when assigned.
Assists in the development and selection of educational materials/teaching supplies.
Evaluates dietary products, supplements and tube feeding products.
Educates patients on potential food/drug interaction according to hospital procedure.
Administrative/Management Responsibilities
Assists in development and enforcement of a diet manual and patient menus.
Reviews and recommends revisions to clinical related procedures.
Supervises assigned personnel efficiently and makes recommendations regarding evaluation and correction of employees.
Handles absentee replacement on short notice.
Observes performance, answers questions, assists with work as needed and delegates work appropriately.
Precepts and evaluates dietetic students from area universities.
Performance Improvement
Routinely collects and prepares information for performance improvement projects.
Interprets data into an objective concise report, making recommendations for improvement when needed.
Infection Control and Sanitation
Follows infection control procedures at all times; treats all body substances as infectious.
Home Healthcare/Hospice Job Functions
Provides consultation with home health care, hospice and infusion therapy staff as requested under the direction of the home care clinical manager.
Conducts nutrition assessment and education to patients and/or caregivers based on home health care & hospice nutrition screening referral procedure. Nutrition assessment and education is primarily provided via phone consultation with the patient and/or the caregiver. The dietitian will review the patient’s medical record and conduct a phone interview as appropriate. The dietitian reviews the nutrition assessment and care plan with the nurse. The nurse and dietitian as appropriate will monitor nutrition recommendations and nutrition goals.
Coordinates nutrition care plan with physician and nursing staff.
Attends Hospice Interdisciplinary Group Meetings as appropriate.
Prepares clinical notes as required for home health and hospice patients.
Provides nutrition education and in-services to home health care and hospice staff as requested.
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| Qualifications: | Must be registry eligible or maintain registration with the Commission on Dietetic Registration.
All registry-eligible dietitians are expected to take and pass the Registration Exam for dietitians within three months of hire.
Continuing Professional Education Units are required to be at least 75 hours every five years by the Commission on Dietetic Registration for maintenance of registration and thirty hours of continuing education during each two year state certification period.
Membership in the American Dietetic Association and the local Indiana Dietetic Association is recommended.
Bachelor’s degree required in Dietetics or related field required
Certification with the State of Indiana is required or must be certified within six months of hire or passing of the Registration Exam for Dietitians.
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