Clinical Nutritionist

Position Overview

Provide nutrition assessment and medical nutrition therapy for patients and serve as a resource for Ryan Health staff and its community in the area of nutrition. This work is carried out in support of the mission and goals of Ryan Health.

Essential Functions

• Provide medical nutrition therapy to patients referred for nutrition services including the development of a nutrition care plan and follow-up visits as appropriate.
• Assess patient’s nutritional status by taking a detailed diet history and reviewing the patient’s medical record to address nutrition-related laboratory and medical findings. Develop an individualized and culturally competent nutrition care plan; and demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the demographics of the patient population served.
• Provide evidence-based recommendations and use of behavioral change motivational strategies to help patients set goals and achieve improved health outcomes.
• Document nutrition assessment, care plans, recommendations, and other details in the patient’s electronic medical record, including findings and goals, according to standards of care as required by Ryan Health, health insurance agencies, and state and federal agencies.
• Refer nutrition patients to other Ryan Health services or to other community-based agencies as necessary.
• Participate in care-team meetings and interdisciplinary case conferences, coordinate with multidisciplinary care teams to assist in the development of individual patient care plans, and serve as a nutrition expert for Ryan Health’s practitioners.
• Develop and facilitate group self-management and education projects for patients with similar dietary instructional needs.
• Develop PowerPoint or other media presentations for nutrition education projects and in- service programs.
• Develop and update educational materials about nutrition-related health risks prevalent among patients and community residents.
• Establish and maintain contact with other community agencies and health care providers for referrals.
• Contribute to the in-service education of staff members regarding nutrition and related issues.
• Conduct peer and chart reviews and other quality improvement activities. Prepare and maintain data for planning, assessment, and evaluation of nutrition projects.
• Keep abreast of new developments in nutrition and diabetes management pertaining to conditions present in the population being served through reading, research and attendance at professional conferences and medical staff meetings at the Center.
• Immediately report any problems or unusual occurrences to the Director of WIC and Nutrition.
• Other duties and/or projects as assigned.
  
  

Qualifications

Minimum Experience and Skills Required:

• Experience in Clinical and Community Nutrition
• Proficiency in MS Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Ability to use critical thinking and work independently
  
  

Education, Licenses, And/or Certifications Required

• Masters Degree
• Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist (RDN)
• Certified Nutritionist-Dietitian (CDN)
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE)
• Bilingual Spanish/English
  
  

Competencies Required

Customer Service:

• Professional, courteous and respectful attitude in dealing with patients
• Commits to exceeding expectations of the patient
  
  

Cooperation/Teamwork

• Works well with others
• Contributes input to improve outcomes
• Asks others for opinions and feedback; provides feedback in a tactful respectful way
  
  

Minimal Training Time

Probationary period consists of three months of actual work days.

Working Conditions

Physical Demands

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk and hear.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
  
  

Work Environment

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• The work is primarily in a primary care setting which include the unpredictability in behaviors of individuals and acute and chronic infectious diseases which may be contagious. Adequate preparation and precaution is necessary.
• Some traveling to various community sites may be required.
  
  

Disclaimer

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. This position may be required to perform other duties. If such work becomes a permanent and regular part of the job, a new description will be prepared.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Ryan Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, marital or family status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, military veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.