The Registered Dietitian (RD), also referred to as Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), is responsible for the provision of medical nutrition therapy for patients using the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics’ Nutrition Care Process. This includes assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring and evaluation. The RD/RDN works in collaboration with other members of the health care team including Licensed Independent Practitioners (LIP’s), Nurse Practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, therapists, and nutrition associates. The RD/RDN represents Unity Point Health St. Luke’s Hospital as a nutrition expert and food service consultant to a variety of organizations, provides nutrition lectures and education to students and new staff and participates in community health promotion events. The RD/RDN uses technology to maximize information exchange.

Why UnityPoint Health?

• Culture – At UnityPoint Health, you matter. Come for a fulfilling career and experience a culture guided by uncompromising values and unwavering belief in doing what's right for the people we serve.
• Benefits – Our competitive Total Rewards program offers benefits options like 401K match, paid time off and education assistance that align with your needs and priorities, no matter what life stage you’re in.
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commitment – We’re committed to ensuring you have a voice that is heard regardless of role, race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation.
• Development – We believe equipping you with support and development opportunities is an essential part of delivering a remarkable employment experience.
• Community Involvement – Be an essential part of our core purpose—to improve the health of the people and communities we serve.

Hear more from our team members about why UnityPoint Health is a great place to work at https://dayinthelife.unitypoint.org .

Patient Care and Education

• Purposefully conducts all aspects of the job in an ethical manner in support of the hospital’s commitment to ethical behavior in all areas of personnel and professional activity.
• Successfully completes hospital-wide orientation, annual hospital competencies and department/unit specific competencies.
• Interprets nutrition care orders per approved department nutrition care manual and implements consistently inpatient education and meal service.
• Uses the steps in the Nutrition Care Process (NCP) to interpret nutrition screens, perform initial and follow-up nutrition assessments, and implement interventions and the personalized nutrition plan of care.
• Provides instruction and counsel to patient and/or significant others according to protocol and documents appropriately.
• Documents nutrition care according to department policies using approved format, content and timeliness standards to assure an accurate legal record of patient’s care.
• Assumes all other duties as assigned.

Quality and Performance Improvement

• Performs and documents test trays and special studies per contracted food service and UPH St. Luke’s policies in order to improve quality outcomes as needed.
• Participates in Performance Improvement that provides quality nutrition services outcomes based on current evidence-based standards and meets regulatory standards (TJC, DIA).
• Completes timely written reports. Reports and processes errors, omissions, incidents and unusual occurrences promptly.

Client Communication/Clinical and Community Nutrition Educator

• Communicates appropriately with interdisciplinary health care teams to assure optimal patient care. Makes appropriate nutrition therapy recommendations to members of the health care team.
• Contributes nutrition expertise by serving as a member of relevant hospital committees.
• As the nutrition expert, provides nutrition education programs for health care providers, associates and members of the community emphasizing the role of good nutrition in a healthy lifestyle in conjunction with the Unity Point St. Luke’s Hospital’s mission and FOCUS values through presentations and the media as requested.
• Acts as preceptor to student dietitians (interns) and other health care providers.
• Maintains continuing education. Utilizes and shares information from conferences/workshops.
• Collaborates with the Nutrition Service Assistants to promote effective patient and client communication regarding meal service and nutritional care

• Bachelor’s Degree in Dietetics/Nutrition. Completion of an accredited Dietetic Internship or equivalent Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) approved program
• Must be a Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN).
• Maintains a current License to practice Dietetics in the state of Iowa
• Maintains current registration with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).
• Reads, writes, comprehends and speaks fluent English
• Multicultural Sensitivity
• Nutrition Care Process
• Computer software to access clinical resources (Nutrition Care Manual, evidence-based practice standards and clinical policies), create electronic documents.
• Health literacy
• Critical thinking skills to be able to logically and independently solve problems and follow written and verbal instructions.
• Use of usual and customary equipment used to perform essential functions of the position.