Description

Lake Region Healthcare, Nutrition Services Department, is seeking a full time Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) to provide direct patient care. This position will work mostly in the outpatient setting providing medical nutrition therapy (MNT) and diabetes education. The position provides back-up coverage to the inpatient dietitian. Additional opportunities may include providing dietitian services in outreach locations. Non-patient care work varies, and supports other functions of the Nutrition Services Department. The successful candidate will enjoy connecting with patients, and be a self-directed, compassionate individual who is committed to helping patients improve their health by providing practical care and education, based on accepted standards. The RDN will work closely with members of a multidisciplinary healthcare team, as well as his or her Nutrition Services co-workers and dietitians.
The RDN has contact with patients and their families, other health care professionals, and the public. The RDN reports to the Dietitian Supervisor/Diabetes Education Program Coordinator.
Main responsibilities include: 

• Establish a healing relationship with patients
• Provide diabetes education and dietitian services that meet the national standards of the Diabetes Self-Management & Education (DSME) program
• Work collaboratively to promote the DSME program among physicians, healthcare providers, the public and potential patients
• Assist with scheduling and calling patients
• Evaluate nutritional needs of patients
• Create personalized nutrition plans that promote health and healing
• Initiate and interpret continuous glucose monitors, and assist patients with additional diabetes-related technology
• Educate and counsel patients/caregivers using motivational interviewing techniques
• Assist patients in obtaining insurance coverage for diabetes medications and supplies
• Maintain knowledge of patient assistance programs
• Participate in Quality Improvement projects
• Participate in relevant committees and meetings
• Maintain detailed records
• Provide back-up coverage for inpatient dietitian:
  • Participate in patient-care rounds
  • Complete nutrition assessments in a timely manner
  • Educate and counsel patients/caregivers about therapeutic diets and food/drug interactions
  • Complete nutrition-focused physical exams
  • Document and communicate malnutrition findings with physician
  • Prescribe supplements to help patient meet nutritional needs
  • Determine enteral and parenteral nutrition support needs
  • Communicate with kitchen staff about patients' meal orders, supplements and preferences
• Complete documentation in electronic health record in a timely manner
• Maintain HIPPA standards
• Attend work per schedule
• Follow policies/procedures to ensure the provision of safe food and optimal nutrition care
• Make patient safety a priority
• Demonstrate LRH values in daily work and communication

Non-patient care responsibilities include: 

• Analyze menus for nutrient content
• Develop nutrition facts labels
• Lead in-services on nutrition topics
• Public speaking/writing
• Help promote national nutrition month and wellness activities
• Assist department co-workers
• Participate in decisions related to food and nutrition services

Shifts

Monday to Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm, with every 3rd weekend/holiday rotation.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Dietetics, Food and Nutrition, or similar major
• Registered as a dietitian with the state of Minnesota licensing board, or registration-eligible
• Credentialed as a Registered Dietitian by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), or registration-eligible
• Willingness to acquire certification as a Certified Diabetes Education and Care Specialist (CDCES), or obtain the Board-Certified, Advanced Diabetes Management credential, within 2 years
• Willingness to complete training on the initiation and interpretation of continuous glucose monitors as part of initial job training
• Willingness to learn additional diabetes-related technology
• Registration-eligible candidates must: 
  • Pass the CDR (Commission on Dietetic Registration) Exam and obtain Minnesota state licensure within 6 months of starting LRH orientation.
  • Work under the supervision of, and have chart notes co-signed by the Registered Dietitian (RD) until she or he passes the CDR exam and is licensed as a dietitian with the state of Minnesota. 
  • Sign chart notes with her or his name only, and refrain using terms RDNE, RDE, RDN Eligible, or RD Eligible.
• Skills: 
  • Excellent verbal and written communication 
  • Proficient in motivational interviewing 
  • Strong analytical and decision-making skills
  • Self-directed
  • Detail-oriented
  • Flexibility to work independently or collaboratively as needed
  • Enthusiasm for growing the diabetes education program
  • Practical use of nutrition in health and healing

Preferred:

• Certified Diabetes Education and Care Specialist, or Board-Certified Advanced Diabetes Management credential from Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists
• Confidence working with diabetes technology 
• 2 years dietetics and/or diabetes education experience
• Demonstrated experience helping patients improve health behaviors
• Familiarity with meal-ordering software 
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Experience with EPIC electronic health record