Job Summary:

Dietary counseling must be available to the caregiver/family and patient, but must relate to the patient’s needs rather than the personal needs of the caregiver/family. Dietary counseling may be provided to family members to enable them to prepare food for the patient. The Dietitian is responsible for providing dietary/nutritional consultation to the clinical staff patient and family in accordance with the interdisciplinary plan of care.

Qualifications:

1. Bachelor’s degree in nutrition from an accredited university or comparable verifiable training/experience.
2. Minimum of one year of experience in a health care setting. Experience in working with clients who have dietary problems related to illness. Previous work with terminally ill patients/families is preferred.
3. Current state licensure. Preferred membership to the American Dietetic Association.
4. Knowledge of Enteral /Tube feeds and substitutes.
5. Emotional maturity, good physical health and dependable transportation.
6. Working telephone where you can be reached.
7. Continued state or board certified education.

Responsibilities:

1. Responsible to the Director of Nursing for carrying out the duties assigned in order to recommend appropriate feeding methods/formula or meal patterns to increase patient’s level of comfort, and to sustain patient nutritional needs.
2. Guidelines:
   1. Plan menus to meet the patients’ symptomatic and nutritional needs which support the palliative treatment of patients.
   2. Manage arrangements to serve meals at the proper temperature and in a form to meet the patients’ needs.
   3. Responsible for recording the patient’s response to the diet in the clinical record.
   4. Provide evidence that the dietitian reviews the patient’s response to the diet and advises modification if necessary.
3. The Licensed Registered Dietitian provides dietary counseling as requested for the hospice client and family while the client is enrolled in hospice care.
4. Responsible for comprehensive nutrition assessment on each patient with in 48 hours of entering the facility and for patients as referred by the clinical staff. Review lab work on an individual basis and intervene as appropriate in collaboration with patient’s physician.
5. The Dietitian will plan menus that meet the nutritional needs of each patient residing in the facility, following the orders of the patient’s physician and, to the extent medically possible, the recommended dietary allowances of the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Research Council.
6. Responsible for developing or obtaining patient nutrition educations materials and training staff quarterly on all nutrition aspects of prescribed diet and monitor adherence and response to nutritional therapy.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.