Dietitian

Overview

Provides nutrition services for inpatient and outpatient, including completion of nutrition assessment, nutrition education, individualized meal planning, education and training in diabetes self-management. Works with individuals and families and groups of people with diabetes.

Responsibilities

Carries out nutrition assessment of patient using the nutrition care process.

Develops individualized meal plan with patient and family (as available).

Provides nutrition education for patient and family.

Provides education and training in diabetes self-management skills to patient and family, with focus on nutrition, weight control, exercise, blood sugar control and behavior change.

Identifies patients having special problems in learning or diabetes management and who require additional care.

Documents assessment, education plan, and patient progress.

Provides instruction in group settings for those who are appropriate candidate.

Generates written report of patient status and teaching to the referring physician or agency.

Documents patient visit for statistical and billing purposes.

Develops nutrition curriculum and educational materials.

Participates as a professional team member of the DCH Diabetes Center.

Participates in performance improvement activities.

Assists with program support functions as needed.

Represents DCH and the DCH Diabetes Center to the community and promotes public awareness of diabetes at programs and health fairs.

DCH Standards:

• Maintains performance, patient and employee satisfaction and financial standards as outlined in the performance evaluation.
• Performs compliance requirements as outlined in the Employee Handbook
• Must adhere to the DCH Behavioral Standards including creating positive relationships with patients/families, coworkers, colleagues and with self.

• Performs essential job functions in a manner that ensures the safety of patients, visitors and employees.
• Identifies and reduces unsafe practices that may result in harm to patients, visitors and employees.
• Recognizes and takes appropriate action to reduce risks and hazards to promote safety for patients, visitors and employees.

• Requires use of electronic mail, time and attendance software, learning management software and intranet.
• Must adhere to all DCH Health System policies and procedures.
• All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university required. Completion of an ACEND (Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics)-accredited supervised practice program required. Master’s degree preferred.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: Minimum of one (1) year of clinical dietitian experience, preferred. Registration with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) required. Must hold a current Alabama Dietitian license or obtain an Alabama Dietitian license prior to date of employment.

Membership and participation in professional organizations (i.e. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Dietetic Practice Groups, local Dietetic Association, specialty professional organizations, etc.) is strongly encouraged.

Advanced practice certification in approved area of dietetics practice is strongly encouraged.

Language Skills: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format. Ability to effectively present information to medical staff, healthcare professionals, top management, public groups. Must be able to read, write legibly, speak and comprehend English.Mathematical Skills: Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, proportions, percentages, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra.Computer Skills: Possesses necessary skills to effectively operate the hospital’s electronic medical record system. Ability to operate a standard computer, including basic use of MS applications such as Outlook, Excel, Word and PowerPoint.Reasoning Ability: Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret a variety of technical instructions and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Environmental

Normal working environment includes a shared office setting with individual work station and rounding on nursing units to see patients.  Includes exposure to human body fluids, disease and infection.  Requires wearing common protective equipment to adhere to standard precautions and isolation procedures.  May be required to work in hot humid conditions.

Physical

Light work.  Requires sitting, walking and standing to a significant degree.  May be required to climb stairs. Occasional lifting of 35 lbs.

Psychological

Frequent contact with patients, families, physicians, nursing staff and other ancillary staff primarily in face-to-face contact. Works both independently and as part of a team.  Possible dealings with upset or unpleasant patients or family members.  Primary form of documentation and communication is electronic medical record and email.  Occasional public speaking or group presentations.  Requires making sound clinical and patient care decisions based on evidenced-based practice.

Physical presence onsite is essential.  Hearing and vision must be normal or corrected to within normal range.  Able to perform the duties with or without reasonable accommodation.