Registered Dietitian Inpatient

POSITION SUMMARY: Assesses and coordinates medical nutrition therapy and nutrition education activities for patients. Plans and provides nutritional care to patients by interpreting and adapting physician prescribed diets and nutrition support interventions to individual needs. Responsible for creating diet regimens for patients and for educating individuals on the benefits of maintaining proper dietary standards. Evaluates and assesses patient responses to diet therapy through direct interview, calculating nutrient intake and lab values and monitoring tolerance of foods, tube feedings and/or parenteral nutrition. The work of the dietitian may vary based on assigned patient population or department.

Position: Inpatient Clinical Dietitian (Registered Dietitian)
Department: Nutrition Clinical
Schedule: Full Time

RESPONSIBILITIES

Provides nutritional care to hospitalized patients; reviews MD prescription for patients’ feedings and interviews patients to obtain information regarding nutrition history for guidance in planning diet or nutrition support interventions; assesses nutritional status based on laboratory values, medical and nutritional history and medical/surgical condition; develops nutritional care plans based on this information in accordance with accepted (Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics) standards of practice and written department protocols. Documents in the electronic health record (EHR) using the nutrition care process, consults with physicians regarding possible changes in diet orders or enteral nutrition regimens; develops and plans individual diet therapy including necessary supplements and tube feedings. Maintains record of all patients seen and recommended therapeutic action, makes referrals for follow‑up nutritional care when appropriate. Monitors patients to determine changes in nutritional status; checks weights and lab values; assesses nutritional adequacy of patient’s intake of food, tube feeding or parenteral nutrition solutions as necessary. Recommends supplements and/or tube feedings; monitors tube feedings for tolerance and assists physician in determining changing to tube feeding regimen, including formulation selections, rate and amount as appropriate. Performs nutritional support assessments (including intravenous or other peripheral nutrition solutions) as assigned. Assesses nutritional status based on laboratory values, medical and nutritional history and medical/surgical condition; develops nutritional care plans in accordance with accepted standards of practice and written department protocols. Consults with physicians regarding managing malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies, suggesting interventions to help improve oral intake and assisting with GI‑related interventions as needed. Performs Nutrition Focused Physical Exams (NFPE) on all patients, as able, to assess for malnutrition diagnosis and micronutrient deficiencies. Instructs patients and their families, singularly and in groups, regarding diet therapy after hospitalization; discusses the principle of nutrition, the purpose and use of diet, food selection and preparation, and adopting food plans to individual needs. Participates in multidisciplinary discharge planning rounds to receive information on condition, treatment, and discharge planning of patients on assigned units; discusses dietary requirements, treatments, diet plans and case studies. Participates in daily rounds with medical/surgical teams as necessary. Meets with the nutrition support dietitian to discuss continuity of care for critically ill patients with stabilized conditions who become the responsibility of the staff dietitian. Participates as needed in the weekly multidisciplinary, Nutrition Support Rounds. Provides in‑service education in nutrition to hospital personnel (nurses, medical students, residents); compiles and develops educational materials for use in individual and group classes. Acts as preceptor in the education/training of dietetic interns and medical staff. Provides nutritional care when consulted for several malnourished and/or critically ill patients; diagnoses malnutrition and documents in EHR using BMC approved malnutrition diagnostic criteria; utilizes the nutrition‑focused physical exam to assess nutritional status; evaluates patient’s nutritional needs and develops nutritional care plan; determines solutions for total parenteral nutrition and tube feedings when appropriate and submits to MD for approval as well as charts in the medical records. Monitors patients throughout their course to assess nutritional status; reviews daily intake, laboratory values, anthropometrics and the nutrition focused physical exam; prepares diet plans for the patient’s transition from TPN or tube feeding to supplements and regular food. May cover in other specialty areas trained for, when needed, such as NICU and pediatric units.