Registered Dietitian

Position Summary

The Registered Dietitian is responsible for providing comprehensive nutrition services to residents of the Skilled Nursing Facility. This position assesses residents' nutritional status, develops individualized nutrition interventions, monitors resident outcomes, and collaborates with the interdisciplinary care team to promote optimal health, nutrition, and quality of life.

The Registered Dietitian provides clinical oversight and guidance related to therapeutic diets, nutrition support, weight management, hydration, food preferences, and other nutrition-related needs while ensuring compliance with applicable federal and Florida regulations and facility policies.

The Plaza Health and Rehabilitation Center is looking for an outgoing individual to join their Team as the Registered Dietitian.

What we offer you:

• Competitive Pay

• Referral Bonuses

• PayActiv

• Paid Time Off & Holiday Pay

• Medical * Dental * Vision * Life * STD Insurances.

• 401K retirement plan

ABOUT PLAZA HEALTH & REHAB CENTER- Located in Gainesville, FL, we are a skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility that is dedicated to helping our residents maximize their potential and live their lives to the fullest. We offer a modern, comfortable, and secure facility staffed by caring professionals where individuals receive the finest sub-acute medical care, rehabilitation services, and 24-hour skilled nursing care. We are committed to maintaining a facility where compassionate care is provided in an environment of respect, dignity. It is also a great working environment for our staff as we truly value and appreciate each member of our team!

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive nutritional assessments for residents upon admission, following significant changes in condition, and as required by the resident's clinical needs and applicable regulations.

• Identify residents who are at nutritional risk and develop appropriate nutrition interventions and recommendations.

• Review residents' diagnoses, medications, laboratory results, weight history, food intake, hydration status, skin integrity, chewing and swallowing concerns, and other factors affecting nutritional status.

• Develop and recommend individualized nutritional plans based on residents' medical conditions, preferences, goals, and nutritional requirements.

• Participate in the development, implementation, evaluation, and revision of resident care plans.

• Monitor residents for significant weight loss or gain and recommend appropriate interventions.

• Evaluate residents with pressure injuries, wounds, altered skin integrity, or other conditions that may require specialized nutritional interventions.

• Make recommendations regarding therapeutic diets, nutritional supplements, fortified foods, hydration programs, and enteral nutrition as appropriate.

• Monitor the effectiveness of nutrition interventions and modify recommendations based on resident outcomes.

• Document nutritional assessments, progress notes, recommendations, and follow-up evaluations accurately and timely in the resident's medical record.

• Participate in interdisciplinary care plan meetings and communicate nutrition-related concerns to nursing, physicians, speech therapy, rehabilitation, dietary staff, and other members of the care team.

• Work collaboratively with the Dietary Manager/Certified Dietary Manager and food service staff to ensure resident nutritional needs and prescribed diets are appropriately addressed.

• Review menus for nutritional adequacy and appropriateness for the resident population.

• Assist with the development and review of therapeutic and mechanically altered diets as appropriate.

• Monitor residents' food preferences, allergies, intolerances, cultural considerations, and special dietary needs.

• Conduct meal observations and dining audits as needed to evaluate food acceptance, meal service, feeding assistance, and potential nutritional concerns.

• Provide nutrition education and counseling to residents, families, and staff as appropriate.

• Assist with quality assurance and performance improvement activities related to nutrition, hydration, weight management, dining services, and resident outcomes.

• Participate in facility committees and meetings as assigned.

• Assist with survey preparation and respond to nutrition-related surveyor questions or concerns within the scope of the position.

• Maintain current knowledge of federal and Florida requirements applicable to nutrition and dietary services in skilled nursing facilities.

• Maintain resident confidentiality and comply with HIPAA and facility privacy policies.

• Perform other duties related to nutrition services as assigned.

Qualifications

Education

• Degree in dietetics, nutrition, food and nutrition, or a related field from an accredited educational institution that meets applicable professional and regulatory requirements.

• Completion of required supervised practice and professional education requirements for dietetic practice.

Licensure/Certification

• Registered Dietitian/Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RD/RDN) credential through the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), as applicable to the position.

• Must hold and maintain appropriate Florida Dietitian/Nutritionist licensure or otherwise meet applicable Florida requirements for the services being performed.

• Must maintain all required continuing education, registrations, licenses, and credentials in good standing.

Experience

• Previous experience in a Skilled Nursing Facility, long-term care, rehabilitation, hospital, or other healthcare environment preferred.

• Experience completing nutritional assessments and developing interventions for geriatric and medically complex populations preferred.

• Knowledge of therapeutic diets, enteral nutrition, weight management, wound nutrition, and altered-texture diets preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of clinical nutrition principles and medical nutrition therapy.

• Knowledge of nutritional needs of older adults and residents with chronic and complex medical conditions.

• Knowledge of federal and Florida regulations applicable to long-term care nutrition and food services.

• Ability to interpret laboratory data, medical diagnoses, medications, weight trends, and other clinical information affecting nutritional status.

• Strong assessment, documentation, organizational, and critical-thinking skills.

• Ability to communicate effectively with residents, families, physicians, nursing staff, dietary staff, and other healthcare professionals.

• Ability to work independently while functioning effectively as part of an interdisciplinary team.

• Strong computer skills and ability to document within an electronic medical record system.

• Ability to prioritize responsibilities and meet required assessment and documentation timelines.

• Commitment to resident-centered care and respect for resident preferences, dignity, and rights.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer https://www.eeoc.gov/poster

Our facility uses the Florida Background Screening Clearinghouse, 435.12, Florida Statutes. Learn more at https://info.flclearinghouse.com