Registered Dietitian

Position Summary   the Registered/Clinical Dietitian renders patient care nutritional services to patients and the Physician and Nursing staffs as directed by the Assistant Director of Nutrition Services. S/he communicates with physicians and nurses in response to patient's complex nutritional needs. S/he is cognizant and supportive of the mission, vision, Patient's Bill of Rights, objectives, policies and procedures of the Department of Food & Nutrition Services and of Wyckoff Heights Medical Center. The Registered/Clinical Dietitian functions in a collaborative and consultative capacity with members of the health care team.

Essential Functions

  *Appropriately identifies patients at nutritional risk. Accurately calculates metabolic needs, i.e. energy, protein, fluid, and/or specific nutrients. Recommends appropriate nutrition intervention based on subjective and objective data.

*   Accurately documents the initial and ongoing assessments of patients' nutritional status and progress as determined by departmental policies and procedures.

 *   Educates in accordance with guidelines established by the nutrition care manual. Determines patients' comprehension of education and appropriate follow up recommendations made.

*   Document in a concise manner that reflects the problem, patient needs and goals, learning capabilities/limitations and progress toward established goals

  *   Documentation is legible and unacceptable abbreviations are not used.

  *   Effectively communicates nutrition care information when patients are transferred

   *   Actively participates in in-service education with clinical staff and allied health professionals.

   *   Actively participates in the process of performance improvement.

   *   Identifies patient by age. demonstrates competency in addressing age specific patient care issues.

 *   Follow all safety rules and regulations of the Hospital, attends all safety in-services as scheduled and demonstrates competency in these areas.

 *   Addresses issues as they arrive without disruption of the daily routine.

 *   Appropriately prioritize job responsibilities to work within daily time constraints.

 *   Attend accredited seminars and lectures in compliance with credentialing requirements for

                                      maintaining continuing education.

                                  *   Follow all safety rules and regulations of the Hospital, attends all safety in-services as scheduled and demonstrates competency in these areas.

 *   Assumes responsibility for nutritional assessment for the following groups of patients: adult critical care patients, adult patients receiving enteral nutrition support, infants, toddlers, preschoolers, adolescents, adult and geriatric in-patients.

  *   Monitors and manages the nutritional services aspects of care for the above groups of patients in consultation with the physician and other members of the health care team.

  *   Documents all aspects of care related to nutritional services in the above-mentioned groups of patients.

  *   Reviews nutritional status, all laboratory values and other pertinent information and determines a nutritional care plan based on patient population served.

  *   Participates in the promotion and implementation of policies, procedures and protocols related to nutrition care.

 *   Provides in-service and continuing education programs for physicians, nursing and Food   Services personnel.

  *   Assumes the role of patient educator for those patients requiring educational support.

 *   Contacts physicians, without hesitation, to discuss any problems

 *  Participates in clinical rounds with the interdisciplinary team.

*    Updates the nutrition care plan and cboard files on a regular basis to maintain communication with the support staff.

 *   Handles all confidential information in conformance with department and hospital policy.  Maintains confidentiality of patient's records and information.

 *   Participates in community education efforts such as Health Fairs and school presentations.

*   Regularly attends staff meetings.

 *   Performs meal rounds and taste testing as assigned.

 *   Performs all other duties as required.

   Formal Education and Job-Related This position requires a minimum formal education of bachelor's degree . A minimum of 1 year job- related experience preferred.

License, Registration, or   Cert. Required:  RD or RDE