Renal Dietician

FUNCTION:

To provide nutrition education, counseling and interventions as appropriate, in the adjustment of both the Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) patients to their disease states and therapies. This position is Responsible for supporting, understanding, interpreting, and implementing the philosophy and policies of the Facility.

Assists the Director of Nursing by directing the facility towards obtaining results in the following area(s): quality, patient satisfaction, business management, teamwork, culture and employee satisfaction.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES:

1. Supports Facility’s mission, goals and value.

2. Performs and documents initial nutrition assessments on all newly admitted ESRD patients; Performs follow up assessments as needed.

3. Collaborates with physician in determining nutrition needs and diet prescriptions for all CKC and ESRD patients.

4. Monitors progress of all patients, including at least monthly review of blood chemistries, fluid status, and nutritional status, with interventions as needed.

5. Educates patient and family/significant other on nutrition needs, meal planning, and community resources, as appropriate.

6. Participates in orientation of new dietitians.

7. Attends and participates in interdisciplinary facility patient team meetings, including, but not limited to, quality improvement, development of the patient’s plan of care, and team building.

8. Assists in coverage of Nutrition Services in cases of LOA, vacations, and census increase.

9. Meets all State and Federal CMS requirements pertaining to the provision of nutrition services to the CKC and ESRD patient. Supports any CMS/Network studies or data collection activities.

10. Participates in education programs at the facility and patient level.

11. Plays a leadership role in the education of and implementation of the quality assessment and performance improvement (QAPI) processes.

12. Participates in development of and execution of the facility’s operational plan.

13. Responsible for self professional development and maintenance of necessary credentials.

MACHINES, EQUIPMENT AND WORK AIDS:

Calculator, Personal Computer (Word/Excel/Power Point)

WORK TRAITS:

Aptitudes:

1. Ability to communicate clearly and concisely orally and in writing.

2. Ability to utilize computer skills effectively and creatively in QAPI reporting.

3. Ability to teach adults and incorporate ethnic needs of patients.

4. Fosters an environment of cooperation, collaboration and teamwork.

5. Ability to relate to various levels within the Facility’s structure.

Temperaments:

1. Ability to work independently in unstructured environment.

2. Ability to motivate other interdisciplinary team members.

3. Ability to be flexible and adaptable at the unit and corporate level. 

4. Ability to take initiative.

5. Ability to gain support and input from all team members.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS:

1. Desk duties, including computer keyboard operation.

2. Light physical work including ability to perform patient physical assessments.

3. Talking and listening to effectively educate patients and staff.

4. Visual acuity to prepare and read computer reports, documentation and educational

materials.

5. Audio acuity to listen effectively and accurately.

Note: Reasonable accommodations will be made as necessary if an individual cannot meet the

above requirements.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Registered Dietitian as per Commission on Dietetic Registration.

2. Dietician State licensure (LD).

3. One year of experience in clinical nutrition as a registered dietitian;

4. Computer experience preferred.

3. Dialysis experience preferred.

JOB RELATIONSHIPS:

Supervised by: Director of Nursing

Positions Supervised: None