Clinical Dietitian II - Registered Dietitian - Nutrition Services- CMHHIP

Clinical Dietitian II - Registered Dietitian - Full Time - Nutrition Services

Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Pueblo (CMHHIP) 1600 W 24th St, Pueblo, CO 81003 Shift details will be discussed during the interview process. A hybrid work arrangement will be offered. This position has a residency waiver and will be accepting applications from residents and non-residents of Colorado. This announcement is open to potential candidates who are legal residents of the United States. All legal residents of the United States are eligible to apply and compete. If appointed to a position, applicants from outside of Colorado will be required to relocate to Colorado prior to their start date, at their own expense

About this position:

Registered Dietitians fulfill a didactic role in providing clinical dietetic services and managing the food service subsystems/resources in the execution of the department's mission as stated above. The purpose of this position is to provide medical nutrition therapy to patients in a mental health hospital setting. The position works closely with departmental and interdisciplinary teams to provide inpatient care. Utilizes the Nutrition Care Process and Terminology to assess nutrition status, identify nutrition diagnoses, and develop, implement, and evaluate outcomes of nutrition care plans for patients at nutrition risk.

Position Duties:

• Medical Nutrition Therapy: As an independent, fully operational professional, the Dietitian II delivers advanced medical nutrition therapy in a complex psychiatric hospital. The role relies on professional judgment, discretion, and dietetic theory to assess patient needs. Using specialized software and electronic health records, the Dietitian II applies the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics' Nutrition Care Process to create individualized treatment plans.
• Quality Improvement and Regulatory Compliance: Operates independently as a fully operational professional to design and implement continuous quality improvement activities for nutrition care services.
• Standards of Practice: Responsible for creating and finalizing designated menus in compliance with regulatory standards, the defined diet manual, the menu guide, and explicit facility needs.
• Other Duties as Assigned: Other duties as assigned by supervisor or Appointing Authority.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications listed below to continue in the selection process for this position. Work experience must be specifically documented in the work experience section of your application. Do not use "see resume" or "see attached" statements on your application. Minimum Qualifications Applicants must attach a CURRENT and VALID Registered Dietician license to be considered for this position failure to provide the required documentation will remove your application from consideration Experience Five (5) years of relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position OR Education and Experience A combination of related education and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position equal to five (5) years Bachelor's degree in dietetics, food and nutrition, or related area, granted by the US regionally accredited college or university, or foreign equivalent. Complete a minimum of a Master's degree (or a higher doctoral degree) from a college or university accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) if graduated after January 1, 2024. Completion of required dietetics coursework and supervised practice through a Didactic Program in Dietetics accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Position must possess a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist credential by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). Please submit a copy of credentials at the time of application)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proficiency using Google Suite
• Proficiency in using specialized clinical nutrition software for menu building and food allergy tracking, as well as electronic medical record systems Master's degree in nutrition;
• Clinical experience providing Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) within an inpatient psychiatric, behavioral health, or high-security facility setting.
• Experience evaluating and modifying institutional menus for dietary adequacy within budget, security, and facility constraints, as well as contributing to clinical protocols and Standards of Practice (SOPs).
• Practical experience managing texture modifications and complex multi-restriction therapeutic diets
• Familiarity with Joint Commission (TJC) standards, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) regulations, HIPAA guidelines, and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) processes.

Key Competencies:

• Expert knowledge in medical nutritional therapy;
• Ability to complete complex nutritional evaluations based on a variety of client conditions;
• Knowledge of and ability to develop menus and conduct recipe and nutritional analysis/testing;
• Willingness and ability to conduct face to face, in person nutritional consultations with mental health patients;
• Strong communication skills for participating in interdisciplinary care teams, consulting with medical providers, and developing educational materials or training for dining services personnel.
• Determination to pay special attention to details and follow instructions;
• Ability to read and comprehend the English language;
• Ability to effectively communicate fluently in English both verbally and in writing.
• Maintenance of active registration as a Registered Dietitian (RD/RDN) with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) and the ability to pass state-mandated direct-contact background checks (including CBI, CAPS, and drug screening)