Summary

Works under general supervision to provide medical nutrition therapy and treatment for patients within designated department or specialty area.

Experience and Education

• Required Effective January 1, 2024, a graduate degree will be required for new candidates who qualify for the certification exam. Candidates who qualify for the exam or have received their Registered Dietitian credential prior to January 1, 2024 are grandfathered and will only require a Bachelor’s degree.
• Registered Dietitian by the Commission on Dietetic Registration. Licensed Dietitian in the State of Texas. If awaiting registration or licensure at time of hire, must be obtained within 6 months of hire date.
• Must be supervised by a dietitian who is credentialed with the Commission on Dietetic Registration and Licensed in the State of Texas while undergoing the proceeding.
• No experience required.

Job Duties

• Documents and provides individualized medical nutrition therapy and nutrition care for prevention and treatment of diseases with consideration of any age-related factors for pediatric, adolescent, and geriatric patients.
• Evaluates outcomes of nutrition interventions. Maintains established department productivity standards and documents all relevant aspects of nutrition care for patients in accordance with departmental standards.
• Collects nutritional data from electronic medical records and performs and manages nutrient analysis through relevant software.
• Assesses dietary needs of assigned patients.
• Prepares menus and recommendations with considerations for patients requiring special dietary treatment.
• Notifies the care team and/or diet office of new diet requirements or of changes to diets as needed and appropriate.
• Performs nutrition-focused physical exams according to departmental protocols.
• Assesses patients for malnutrition and determines if nutrition support interventions are warranted.
• Obtains and interprets laboratory tests necessary for the provision of medical nutrition therapy according to scope of license and departmental protocols.
• Assesses learning needs of all patients and provides education and nutrition counseling where appropriate.
• Evaluates outcomes of nutrition interventions and coordinates care as pertinent to the nutrition care process.
• Develops and/or revises nutrition education materials where appropriate.
• May place enteric feeding tubes per Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Scope of Practice and individual department policy.
• Collaborates with other members of the healthcare team to complete nutrition consultations.
• Attends meetings/conferences with the medical team, nursing, clinics, social services, and other allied health professional personnel concerning patient care and department initiatives.
• Plans, develops, and conducts educational nutrition programs for medical, nursing, and clinical staff and students/trainees.
• Is actively involved in department, community, and retail programs.
• Precepts dietetic interns, providing feedback and guidance when appropriate.
• Attends continuing education programs to remain current in the field.
• Regularly updates knowledge of assessment techniques and regulations appropriate to the age of patients served.
• Duties performed may include one or more of the following core functions: 
  • a) Directly interacting with or caring for patients;
  • b) Directly interacting with or caring for human-subjects research participants;
  • c) Regularly maintaining, modifying, releasing, or similarly affecting patient records (including patient financial records)
  • d) Regularly maintaining, modifying, releasing, or similarly affecting human-subjects research records.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Work requires knowledge to accurately assess nutritional status.
• Work requires ability to provide appropriate medical nutrition therapy.
• Work requires computer skills. Work requires effective communication skills.
• Work requires ability to use hands to key, handle, or feel.
• Work requires ability to walk and lift up to 10 pounds.
• Work requires ability to read, write, and understand English.
• Work requires ability to apply arithmetic, mathematical reasoning and analyze data and/or report information.
• Work requires ability to develop and implement new goals or plans.

Working Conditions

Work is performed primarily in a clinical setting.

Security

This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code 51.215, which authorizes UT Southwestern to obtain criminal history record information

UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. As an equal opportunity employer, UT Southwestern prohibits unlawful discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or veteran status. To learn more, please visit: https://jobs.utsouthwestern.edu/why-work-here/diversity-inclusion/.