Dietitian

Summary: 

The Renal Dietitian’s primary responsibility is to provide medical nutrition therapy to assigned patients to promote their optimal health and well-being.  

Education: 

Bachelor’s Degree in Nutrition Science, or equivalent. 

Licenses and Certification: 

Registered Dietician with the Commission on Dietetic Registration.  (*The Commission on Dietetic Registration is the credentialing agency for the American Dietetic Association.)

Current CPR certification through American Heart Association

Experience:

*Minimum of one year’s professional work experience in clinical nutrition as a registered dietician.

*Prefer 1 year experience working with renal dialysis.

*Basic computer skills and proficiency in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook required.

Essential Functions: 

• Educates assigned new patients on prescribed renal diets.

• Performs nutritional assessments on all assigned patients.

• Monitors patient labs and dialysis adequacy for accuracy in collection.

• Reviews lab results, dialysis adequacy, fluid weight status, and nutrition concerns with assigned patients on monthly basis and educates staff and patients regarding appropriate nutrition related changes.

• Documents monthly nutrition progress notes in medical record.

• Monitors and documents critical labs and interventions; notifies MD, RNs of interventions.

• Provides any additional counseling requested by patients and/or providers.

• Monitors need for oral supplements, enteral or parenteral support, and facilitates initiation of such measures.

• Makes recommendations regarding nutritional related medications as appropriate.

• Participates in monthly Patient Care Conferences.

• Teaches Nutritional Classes as requested for patients and staff.

• Acts as a resource or preceptor for teammates with less experience. 

• Acts as a resource or subject matter expert for other facility personnel.

• Performs Manager on Duty responsibilities as scheduled per Administrator. 

• Verifies accurate charges and documentation are submitted in a timely manner. Complies with Dialysis facility policies and procedures for infection control, safety, and quality.

• Responds appropriately and aids in emergency situations. Remains on-site as necessary staff for evacuation needs of any patients as set forth by Administrator and Dialysis RN Manager.

• Regularly communicates with Administrator throughout day to plan, confirm, coordinate, and organize patient care.

• Assists the Administrator in quality control measures, i.e., audits, infection control compliance, accreditation preparation, etc. 

• Fosters Quality Improvement by participating in Quality Meetings.  

• Tracks nutrition related QAPI data trends and presents this data at QAPI meetings.

• Participates in dialysis daily stand-up meetings, team meetings, and phone/web-based conferences as required. 

• Informs Administrator and Medical Director of all incidents, conditions, problems pertaining to patients as well as counseling regarding teammates, patient care, or facilities. 

• Performs On-Call responsibilities as scheduled per Administrator. Works overtime as needed and approved.  Commits to on-call and rotating shifts as needed.

• Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

In-depth knowledge of diet therapy, and the ability to apply this knowledge to meal planning, recipe modification, and diet education.

Knowledge of the Hemodialysis and Peritoneal Dialysis Process.

Demonstrates ability to assist with providing quality outcomes and tracking of metrics. 

Demonstrates ability to recommend treatments in a safe, therapeutic and cost-effective manner.