JOB PURPOSE OR MISSION: Manages physician ordered therapeutic diets, conducts nutrition assessments, and provides nutritional care education to patients. Performs job for the age population served, as defined in the department’s scope of service.

JOB FUNCTIONS

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS include, but are not limited to:

 1. Performs nutritional assessments.

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS:

Upon receipt of a medical nutrition therapy order, reviews and interprets the order to ensure accuracy and to check if prescribed diet is within guidelines. Consistently checks medical nutrition therapy order received with patient’s medical records. Interviews patients to obtain information regarding food habits and preferences for guidance in planning the patient’s diet. Recommends oral diet, tube feedings, and total parenteral nutrition with considerations on lab values. Recommends calorie and protein requirements with considerations of risk factors.

2. D evelops and implements a plan of care based on assessment of nutritional needs and correlated with other health care plans. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS:

Calculates medical nutrition therapy order and provides nutrition counseling for all patients on medical nutrition therapy orders who require intervention. Maintains accurate record of medical nutrition therapy instructions performed and individual meal pattern if appropriate. Charts appropriately and accurately in the patient medical record after each patient contact. Accurately calculates tube feedings giving volume, concentration and administration rate.

3. Provides nutrition evaluation by maintaining communications through written record systems with the health care team concerning dietary history, adequacy of food intake, education and the need for supplementation. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS:

Inspects meals served for conformance to prescribed diets and standards of palatability and appearance. Monitors food intolerances, food/drug interactions, allergies and preference of patients including religious beliefs. Regularly monitors nutritional problems such as chewing and swallowing difficulties, and patients with poor appetite and/or intake. Maintains accurate record of each patient contact and the result of that contact.

 4. P rovides nutritional education to patients and staff.

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS:

Provides medical nutrition therapy instructions for all modified medical nutrition therapy orders utilizing approved instruction materials and methods. Conducts nutrition education classes for in-patients, outpatients and staff. Serves as resource person in nutrition care for medical and nursing staff. Counsels with patients concerning nutritional principles and plans adjusted to individual needs. Upon physician’s request, gives formal instruction on diet modifications for home use, including the importance of the diet in relation to disease. Complies and develops educational materials and uses them as aids in nutrition education.

5. Performs all other duties as assigned.

Possession of a permanent or provisional Louisiana dietitian/nutritionist license.

CPR Certified

PRN