Registered Dietician/Nutritionist

Under the Direction of the Diabetes Program Coordinator, and as a member of the interdisciplinary health care team, screens/levels patients for nutritional risk, assess nutritional status and develops/implements nutrition care plans for identified patients considering individual and age-specific requirements.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Diabetes & Nutrition Center Outpatient Clinical Dietician reports to the Program Coordinator, Diabetes & Nutrition Center and collaborates with the Medical Director of Endocrinology and the Diabetes Program Director at SHCN.

• The Outpatient Clinical Dietician monitors and evaluates effectiveness of nutrition care plans and revises care plans as needed.
• Provides age-specific nutrition/diet/food-drug education to patients and/or family/care givers consistent with the patient’s stage of learning top optimize patient compliance and outcomes.
• Teaches Diabetes self-management classes and participates in annual review of program material and curriculum.
• Provides for continuity of care and includes plans for follow up as appropriate utilizing resources as needed (health care team members and other providers, social service programs, etc.).
• Documents all nutrition interventions and maintains paperwork consistent with department and regulatory agency requirements. Provides copy of documentation to referring healthcare provider.
• Assists the Diabetes Program Coordinator in development, execution and documentation initiatives and stands of care.
• Participates on medical center committees as assigned.
• Develops. Selects/utilizes nutrition education materials that recognize ethic, cultural, and religious diversity. Confirms that materials are appropriate for patients’ level of education, etc.
• Provides community nutrition education to interested groups as assigned.
• Precepts dietetic interns as assigned.
• Maintains active registration status. Maintains active Commonwealth of Massachusetts license. Maintain Certified Diabetes Educator credential.
• Works collaboratively with RN, CDE’s, and Administrative Assistants in the Diabetes Center and Endocrinology Department Staff.
• Must be able to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with patients, their families and other staff.
• Monitor effectiveness of nutrition care plans in accordance with clinical section standards and revise care plans as needed to achieve therapeutic goals.
• Provides medical nutrition therapy and diabetes self-management training.

Responsibilities/Essential Functions:

• Provides superior customer service to internal and external clients, customers, and patients as referenced in the Service Excellence Standards.
• Develops, documents and implements appropriate age-specific nutrition care plans for patients that contain objective, measurable goals. Monitors and evaluates effectiveness of care plans in accordance with clinical section’s standards, and revises care plan as needed to achieve therapeutic goals.
• Provides age-specific nutrition counseling to patients and/or families/care providers.
• Educates and guides medical, nursing and nutrition staff on fundamental clinical nutrition principles.
• Participates in and supports department’s/section’s QI activities, including participating in at least 1 QI project yearly.
• Communicates with Diabetes Program Coordinator to keep him/her appraised of issues which may influence department/section function.
• Contributes to department goals by participating in staff in services and department projects.
• Considers age, cultural and religious practices hen planning patient’s nutritional interventions.

Accountability:

• Accountable for maintaining the confidentiality and security of all hospital-related, medical staff-related and patient-related data and information.
• Accountable to SEMC policies and procedures as applicable.
• Accountable to all departmental policies and procedures, including those relating to infection control.

Qualifications:

• Minimum Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Nutrition required, Master’s Degree in Nutrition or Education preferred.
• Minimum Experience: 3 years’ experience working with diverse patient populations
• Minimum skills/abilities: Mid-level clinical nutrition skills required
• Interpersonal and communication skills sufficient to perform prescribed duties effectively required.

Certification/Licensure:

• Registered Dietician required
• Commonwealth of Massachusetts License required
• Certified Diabetes Educator preferred

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:

(Examples: Ability to work independently and take initiative; Good judgment and problem solving skills; Communication skills; Interpersonal and organizational skills; Level of confidentiality)

• Competence in diabetes education and self-management skills.
• The ability to analyze complex issues and solve them creatively.
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients and caregivers.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/LICENSURE/TECHNICAL/OTHER:

1. Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Nutrition, Master’s Degree preferred. RD & MA license required, CDE preferred and will obtain within 6 months of hire.
2. Experience (Type & Length): Minimum Experience: 3 years’ experience working with diverse patient populations. Two years working in Outpatient diabetes education program.
3. Certification/Licensure: RD, CDE (preferred)
4. Software/Hardware: Athena, Microsoft Office applications