Dietitian Associate

GENERAL PURPOSE OF THE JOB

The Dietitian Associate position provides nutrition services and education to in-center adult dialysis patients and authorized caregivers in clinical settings to support and maximize the patient’s nutritional well-being, under the supervision and guidance of a qualified renal dietitian (Intermediate or above preferred). This role reports to the Facility Administrator.
Note: All duties are performed under the direct supervision of a qualified renal dietitian, in accordance with DaVita policies & procedures, OSHA, JCAHO, AAMI, CMS, state, federal, and local regulations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

•Evaluates on-going nutritional status to determine appropriate nutrition intervention(s) and recommendations. Consults physician regarding lab tests as needed.
•Develops individualized Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) for patients based on reported lab results and individualized goals.
•Selects and develops nutrition education and counseling based on individualized patient needs, including nutrient requirements, knowledge and abilities, medical, economic, and social situation.
•Utilizes Motivational Interviewing with patients in need of a behavior change on an ongoing basis.
•Monitors nutritional status, laboratory values, dialysis adequacy, adherence to diet and response to nutrition related medications and therapy to determine appropriate nutrition intervention and recommendations.
•Evaluates outcomes, identifies contributing factors and document interventions.
•Contacts and collaborates with extended care facility staff, or other appropriate medical personnel or caregivers to facilitate adequate and appropriate nutritional care.
•Functions as Mineral and Bone Disorder Manager.
•Effectively communicates pertinent nutrition issues to the IDT and to patients.
•Participates in patient care conferences and IDT meetings.
•Presents nutrition related in-service for teammates at least annually.
•Regularly consults with qualified renal dietitians (resident or above) and / or dietitian preceptor to support advanced or complex clinical renal nutrition and MBD situations.
•Supports the qualified renal dietitian in collecting data for nutrition assessments, nutrition reassessments, and plan of care (POC), Facility Health Meeting in accordance with CMS regulations
•Supports the qualified renal dietitian by implementing the treatment and nutritional goals identified through the POC.
Other duties:
•Attend trainings and on-going education for dietitians and team related programs.
•Perform other duties as assigned.

At DaVita, we strive to be a community first and a company second.  We want all teammates to experience DaVita as "a place where I belong."  Our goal is to embed Diversity & Belonging into everything we do in our Village, so that it becomes part of who we are.  We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and an affirmative action employer.  As such, individuals are recruited, hired, assigned and promoted without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.