Clinical Dietician (759942)

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

· Knowledge of Medical Nutrition Therapy and the Nutrition Care Process.

· Knowledge of food service safety and sanitation standards.

· Knowledge of food service tasks.

· Knowledge of the methods, materials, and equipment used in food preparation.

· Knowledge of the care and use of food service equipment.

· Knowledge of meal service procedures and regulatory guidelines.

· Knowledge of the use and functionality of Microsoft Office Suite software.

· Ability to communicate effectively orally.

· Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

· Ability to maintain effective working relationships.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• All positions in the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs require an active authorization to practice as a Licensed Dietitian-Nutritionist in Pennsylvania.
• All positions in the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs require certification as a Registered Dietitian (RD) or a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) as issued by the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
• All positions in the Department of Humans Services require certification as a Registered Dietitian (RD) or a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) as issued by the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, or proof of eligibility for such certification.

DEFINITION: This is professional clinical dietetic work providing medical nutrition therapy and food and nutrition expertise at a Commonwealth facility.

An employee in this job plans and coordinates nutritional care for persons in a Commonwealth facility. Work involves completing assessments, care plans, and menu development to ensure food and nutrition services are meeting individual nutritional and dietary needs; ensuring optimal nutritional status for each person using the Nutrition Care Process; preparing and modifying menu plans and nutritional care plans in accordance with physicians' orders and with standards of nutrition, variety, and quality, including those for individuals on prescribed diets; participating in the development of interdisciplinary policies; and ensuring adherence with federal, state, and local regulations. Work is performed with a high degree of independence and initiative and is reviewed by a Clinical Dietitian Manager or Director of Dietetic Services through conferences, reports, and evaluation of overall effectiveness.

EXAMPLES OF WORK:

· Implements a complete program to monitor the nutritional status of individuals under care at a state hospital or center, veterans home, or other Commonwealth facility.
· Coordinates with food service management to fulfill resident nutritional needs regarding preferences, texture, and general acceptability of therapeutic menus and to plan therapeutic diet requirements.

· Conducts nutritional assessments, audits, discharge summaries, nutrition education and documentation, and nutritional counseling.

· Writes nutrition care plans, policies, procedures, therapeutic and modified diets, and menus; develops recipes.

· Uses the Nutrition Care Process steps of assessment and reassessment, nutrition diagnosis, intervention, monitoring, and evaluation to discern the best nutritional care for an individual.

· Provides evidence-based nutrition counseling and training to meet clinical needs and promote disease management.

· Recommends specialized food and nutritional products to be purchased by the facility for the therapeutic use of disease management.

· Completes initial, annual, and significant change nutritional assessments.

· Completes Minimum Data Set (MDS) documentation and care plans for individuals upon admission, quarterly, and as needed in accordance with Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) guidelines.

· Writes nutritional care plans and makes dietetic recommendations consistent with providers’ orders and dietetic needs.

· Attends and participates in interdisciplinary team meetings to communicate findings and make care plan recommendations.

· Provides training and education regarding healthy eating habits and nutrition.

· Advises individuals under care on behavior modification and intervention plans, including foods appropriate for their therapeutic diet to improve their health.

· Conducts periodic meetings with individuals under care and their family members to determine food preferences and to determine their level of satisfaction with food service.

· Provide nutrition education training to food service staff and facility employees.

· Conducts dietary quality assurance audits and reports findings.

· Performs the full range of supervisory duties.

· Employees in this job may participate in the performance of subordinates’ work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

· Performs related work as required.

Position Purpose:

This position coordinates, inspects, and evaluates the therapeutic diet program while maintaining adherence to HIPAA standards.

Description of Duties:

Describe in detail the duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Descriptions should include the major end result of the task. Example: Types correspondence, reports, and other various documents from handwritten drafts for review and signature of the supervisor. 20% Ensure optimal nutritional status of residents by planning, implementing, and evaluating nutritional interventions. 15% Responsible for completion of initial, annual, and significant change nutritional assessments (SAND Assessment) for residents. Complete MDS documentation and formal care plans for each resident at admission, quarterly, and as needed according to applicable laws, rules, and regulations.

5% Write nutritional care plans and make dietetic recommendations for implementation consistent with physician's orders and dietetic needs. Review care plans to ensure implementation.

5% Plan and modify standard and therapeutic menus in conjunction with the Director of Dietetic Services or Food Service Supervisor using GeriMenu for conformance to physician's orders/diet manual, standards of nutrition, variety and quality.

10% Attend and participate in interdisciplinary team meetings to communicate findings and make recommendations on improving resident's nutritional status.

5% Work with the interdisciplinary team to develop clinical and dietary policies in conjunction with the Director of Dietetic Services.

10% Monitor residents at nutritional risk on a monthly basis, including tube feedings, renal dialysis, brittle diabetics, dysphasia, significant weight change and any other nutritional concern and communicate to nursing.

2% Consult with residents to provide instruction and information about diet restrictions and needs.

2% Conduct periodic meetings with residents/family members to determine food preferences of residents and their opinions concerning the food.

1% Provide special instructions to supervisors, cooks, and food service workers in preparation of special diet food items. When necessary, prepare recipes or revise and modify existing recipes to meet needs.

1% Provide in-service training to dietary and allied health care personnel as needed in applicable areas of nutrition.

1% Monitor tray service in dining areas for quality standards of the department.

5% Ensure that an updated resident file (GeriMenu/Cardex) with resident information including: diet changes, food likes and dislikes, complaints, transfers, leave of absence or any other pertinent information is maintained.

1% Complete a nutritional discharge plan and resident instruction prior to discharge on all therapeutic diets.

10% Document nutritional status of residents in progress notes (medical record/MatrixCare).

1% Gather data and prepare reports on Quality Assurance indicators on nutritional issues such as weight loss, skin breakdown, meal satisfaction, etc.

1% Responsible for the overall administration of the Dietary Department in the absence of the Director of Dietetic Services/Food Service Manager.

1% Support the facility QAPI efforts by attending all assigned QAPI training; following established policies and procedures in support of QAPI efforts; participate in PIP teams as assigned; sharing ideas for improvement in the organization; and supporting QAPI efforts both verbally and non-verbally, including adjusting performance and practice in accordance with QAPI initiatives and findings.

2% Performs work in accordance with the DMVA general safety rules and safety rules for this position. Immediately reports all workplace injuries or incidents to the supervisor; and/or immediately corrects any safety hazards in the work area or reports same to supervisor.

2% Perform other related duties as required.

Decision Making:

Decisions are made within the scope of education and experience. Responsible for all resident nutritional programs and for providing input into resident care plans.

Requirements Profile:

Experience:

Licenses, registrations, or certifications:

1. Registered Dietitian

Essential Functions:

1. Communicate effectively verbally and in writing
2. Sit for long periods of time
3. Perform repetitive motions (typing, filing, answering the telephone)
4. Reach, bend, stoop, pull, push, kneel, lift, walk and grasp
5. Use standard office equipment and software
6. Travel as required and attend meetings, trainings, seminars, etc.
7. Perform mathematic calculations
8. Present briefings, trainings, and speak to individuals/groups
9. Monitors all dining and living areas

About Us:

TulaRay partners with clients to create staffing solutions that meet unique organizational needs. Our services are designed to reduce administrative burdens, protect your brand, and improve assignment time-to-fill. We believe that mutually successful client relationships are built on lasting quality and exceptional customer service. We pride ourselves on our uncompromising commitment to high-quality emergency management & healthcare personnel, while ensuring that our clients are taken care of with personalized attention. TulaRay manages total compliance and respectfully supports hundreds of professionals and patient-centered programs.

TulaRay is proud to be an affirmative action employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know by visiting our website at tularay.com