Graduate Clinical Dietitian

Reports to the Manager or Director. Provides Medical Nutritional Therapy (MNT), using assessment, goal/intervention setting, planning, implementation, and evaluation. Develops, presents, and facilitates educational offerings for patient, families, nursing, physicians, and other disciplines on Malnutrition, EN/TPN, Heart Failure, Diabetes, Oncology, and more. Educates patients based on their needs. Collaboratively establishes standards of care and protocols for patient populations. Reviews medical records in order to assess nutritional needs and develops nutritional interventions in conjunction with the healthcare team. Evaluates indicators for the aspects of care in the quality improvement process. All with oversight from a Registered/Licensed Dietitian.

MISSION, VALUES and SERVICE GOALS

• MISSION: We deliver outstanding care, inspire health, and connect with heart.
• VALUES: Trust. Respect. Integrity. Compassion.
• SERVICE GOALS: Personally connect. Keep everyone informed. Be on their team.

Standards of Care

• Completes provider and other discipline ordered consults.
• Completes nutrition risk screening for assigned units.
• Reviews medical records and appropriately assess nutritional status of patients & formulates nutrition plan of care using the following measures and more: Reviewing labs, medications, feeding modality, current medical diagnosis, skin condition, and diagnosing malnutrition.
• Performing an NFPE (nutritional-focused physical exam) to determine nutritional status.
• Documenting in the EMR using ADIME (Assessment, Diagnosis, Intervention, Monitoring, and Evaluation).
• Collaborates with the physician and multi-disciplinary team regarding the impact of the nutritional status as it affects total treatment plan.
• Obtains knowledge of Joint Commission and CMS standards and regulations as it pertains to healthcare and dietetics.
• Selects appropriate feeding route (OG, NG, NJ tubes), mode, and medical enteral/parenteral nutrition formulas.
• Maintains appropriate follow-up of patient's nutritional status per protocols and regulations.
• Actively participates in care conferences, discharge planning process and committee meetings assuring follow-up care as appropriate with documentation.
• Actively participates in assigned committees.
• Discusses/interprets appropriate use of pharmacotherapy, makes recommendations as appropriate (supplements, commercial products).
• Incorporates Nutrition Care Process, creating nutrition diagnosis statements (PES) with skill and accuracy into patient documentation.
• Sets measurable goals to promote appropriate nutrition and lifestyle changes.
• Refers patient and/or family to community resources for assistance applicable to the situation.
• Completes discharge orders and sets up home health care for patients who will be going home on tube feedings, oral nutrition supplements, and TPN as applicable.
• Demonstrates flexibility in patient care requirements.
• Calculates caloric, protein, and other micro and macronutrients to meet the needs of the patient.
• Orders appropriate diets, tube feedings, oral nutrition supplements, labs, and vitamins/minerals per order writing policy.

Nutrition Education

• Provides education and counseling (individual and group sessions) in accordance with approved procedures.
• Effectively educates patients/families with appropriate medical nutrition therapy and individualizes recommendations according to learning needs.
• Documents required results of patient education on approved forms.
• Identifies and develops nutrition education tools needed.
• Participates in nutrition skill development of Beacon Health System employees through educational opportunities. For example 'Nursing-New ASPEN guidelines for Critical Care.'

Program Development

• Markets outpatient medical nutrition therapy services to physicians and potential clients.
• Attends and participates in Departmental meetings, RD meetings and CQI/TVM committees and affects change within the clinical team.
• Practices continuous quality improvement and participates in nutritional monitoring studies as needed.
• Participates in departmental goals and objectives.
• Participates in in-service training for staff, students, and physicians.
• May participate in nutrition-related hospital events such as National Nutrition Month.

Personal Development

• Understands and complies with the policies, procedures and mission statement of Beacon Health System.
• Develops and achieves appropriate individual professional goals established by both the Manager or Director and the individual.
• Participates in the development and achievement of annual clinical nutrition team goals.
• Completes competencies as determined by regulatory agencies and the clinical team.
• Actively studying for the Commission on Dietetic Registration (Registered Dietitian) boards.
• Demonstrates professional behavior by adhering to the AND (academy of Nutrition and Dietetics) RD Code of Ethics, Beacon standards and Departmental standards.
• Accepts responsibility for individual actions and judgments with patients and staff.
• Accepts responsibility for performing duties under established policies and procedures related to nutrition services.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with patients, employees and the community by setting appropriate boundaries.

Contribute to the overall effectiveness of the department

• Completes other job-related duties and projects as assigned.

ORGANIZATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Associate complies with the following organizational requirements:

• Attends and participates in department meetings and is accountable for all information shared.
• Completes mandatory education, annual competencies, and department specific education within established timeframes.
• Completes annual employee health requirements within established timeframes.
• Maintains license/certification, registration in good standing throughout fiscal year.
• Direct patient care providers are required to maintain current BCLS (CPR) and other certifications as required by position/department.
• Consistently utilizes appropriate universal precautions, protective equipment, and ergonomic techniques to protect patient and self.
• Adheres to regulatory agency requirements, survey process and compliance.
• Complies with established organization and department policies.
• Available to work overtime in addition to working additional or other shifts and schedules when required.

Commitment to Beacon's six-point Operating System, referred to as The Beacon Way:

• Leverage innovation everywhere.
• Cultivate human talent.
• Embrace performance improvement.
• Build greatness through accountability.
• Use information to improve and advance.
• Communicate clearly and continuously.

Education and Experience

• The knowledge, skills, and abilities as indicated below are normally acquired through the successful completion of a Bachelor's Degree in Dietetics/Nutrition and accredited internship. Master's degree required for all new grads starting 2024. Registration Eligible, ability to pass Registration or boards with CDR (Commission on Dietetic Registration) within 6 months of hire or per manager's discretion. , membership with the AND (Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics), and Licensed Dietitian in the state of Indiana within 3-6 months of passing registration boards, and CPR Certification (if required for job).

Knowledge & Skills

• Registration-eligible Dietitian.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• A working knowledge of current nutritional standards.
• Requires resourcefulness in emergency situations.

Working Conditions

• Works in a hospital office and patient care environment.

Physical Demands

• Requires the physical ability and stamina (i.e. to walk/stand for prolonged periods of time, push carts/wheelchairs up to 50 pounds, to position/lift patients at a maximum of 35 pounds unassisted, over 35 pounds requires assistance, provide CPR, etc.) to perform the essential functions of the position