Dietitian

Dietitian

Compass Government Solutions is seeking an experienced Dietitian to provide services at the Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA).

Work Schedule:

• Normal hours of operation are 0700 to 1600 with one (1) hour lunch break, Monday through Friday

Job Duties:

• Plan and organize work of considerable difficulty and responsibility under minimal supervision.
• Participate in research and performance improvement studies.
• Conduct nutrition assessment/evaluation which includes nutrient intake, activity level, appetite, intake of vitamins, minerals, nutritional supplements, and other complimentary alternative medicine usage, weight history, taste changes, feeding problems, food intolerance, food-drug interactions, unhealthy diet behaviors, socioeconomic and ethnic background, documented medical history, current diagnoses and medical treatment modalities, current drug therapy, and clinical signs and symptoms of nutritional deficiencies.
• Apply the basic principles of enteral and parenteral nutrition support.
• Apply principles and practices of clinical dietetics and medical nutrition therapy in order to plan, develop, and independently coordinate medical nutrition therapy intervention, interdisciplinary care plans, and nutrition education activities.
• Conduct studies, analysis, and document findings to evaluate staff, food, nutrition supplements/feeding or meal alternatives and therapies, supplies, equipment, and service in order to improve the efficiency of the operation.
• Apply current food service systems management, principles, and practices within a healthcare environment.
• Operate and perform duties as otherwise assigned by a designated Sports Medicine physician or other member designated by the - HPS/CC within their professional scope of care.
• Attend meetings/briefings pertaining to the Dietitian Program as requested and under the advisement of the designated 37th HPS VIPER flight leadership or the HPS/CC.
• Provide Medical Nutrition Therapy for service members referred to/from the Sports Medicine Hub, Trainee Health Clinic, Independent Duty Medical Technician (IDMT) Dispensaries and/or Alternate Training Facilities (ATFs); establish nutrition-related management protocols, based upon an individual assessment of the patient's disease/injury/illness.
• Assess, analyze, and determine nutrition needs for the service members, and permanent parties on a space available basis, using evidence-based principles. Use recognized assessment and evaluation techniques and tools that consider the varied needs of age-specific populations as well as cultural, religious, and ethnic preferences. HCWs shall assess service members to screen for potential nutritional or dietary factors that would increase their risk of injury/illness. These screening procedures may include but are not limited to obtaining a personal health and dietary/nutritional history, ordering medications per approved Clinical Support Systems Program (CSSP) and/or with Medical Physician co-signature, ordering blood tests for any macro/micro-nutrient deficiencies or sequelae thereof, and any other screening as deemed necessary and appropriate in addition to shall interviewing patients to obtain nutrition assessment data and information regarding usual dietary patterns, lifestyle, food purchasing practices and resources, and ability to understand and adopt a modified diet.
• Assist service members in developing realistic long-term health goals and goal-directed behaviors. HCWs shall select and implement the most appropriate behavior modification approach to optimize behavior change.
• Assist in development, implementation, and individualization of plans for nutrition intervention IAW the service members' medical/personal goals, diagnosis, and self-management potential. HCW shall ensure no added overall health risk is involved in the design and implementation of fitness, nutrition and conditioning programs customized to meet individual Airman/Trainee needs. HCW shall instruct and counsel service members regarding compliance with prescribed dietary and nutrition regimens and therapies.
• Evaluate effectiveness and measure progress towards outcomes of interventions; and adjust the nutrition care plan for each service members as indicated. HCW shall provide appropriate clinical follow-up for reevaluation of individuals with dietary or nutritional deficiencies/needs within the realms of injury prevention/treatment or HP optimization. HCW shall maintain ongoing communication with the patient's referring provider (i.e., sports medicine providers, certified athletic trainers, and strength coaches) and ancillary providers to ensure continuity of care. HCW shall facilitate and instruct service members to enhance their general knowledge of dietary, nutrition and health concepts in order to develop independence of action in their healthy, dietary and nutritional choices.
• Educate and advise service members regarding the nutritional aspects of physical activity, with goals to enhance performance, prevent injury and illness, and assist patients or clients in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. HCW shall educate service members on the importance of acclimatization and fluid and electrolyte balance in the prevention of heat illness (i.e., exertional heat stroke, exertional hyponatremia, etc.).
• Obtain and interpret timely anthropometric and biochemical data using evidence-based standards.
• Complete the required documentation of service members evaluations and therapeutic interventions. HCW shall document all medical evaluations and treatment activities in the electronic health record of the patient. The date of the encounter will be completely documented and signed (closed out) within 72 hours of the encounter.
• Partner with sports medicine physician(s) and HPS Personnel to ensure clinical care objectives are met, keeping patient safety and quality, trusted care at the highest level of priority. HCW shall provide and complete 3 peer reviews of patient care documentation to Wilford Hall Dietetic Flight Chief quarterly. In addition, HCW shall not have privileges to order any medications but shall discuss the case with the supervising physician if HCW feels a medication would be beneficial for the patient. HCW shall work under the direction of the supervising sports medicine physicians and HCW shall evaluate and treat patients independently as described within this document.
• Assist with identifying and mitigating patient safety, patient privacy (PHI/HIPAA), and infection control concerns (as they may arise); notify supervising physician, Officer in Charge (OIC), and/or other leadership as indicated, and address these concerns through appropriate leadership/Military Training Instructor (MTI) supervisor channels. HCW shall comply with these external organizations and their representatives as well as maintain professional interactions during inspections or workspace visits as necessary for the sustainment of the clinical setting.
• Track program outcomes to assess program effectiveness on nutrition practices, disease prevention, and overall health outcomes. HCW shall provide recommendations based on conventional processes to improve nutrition program outcomes among the service members. HCW shall evaluate and recommend new nutrition techniques and practices that would enhance the benefit of the sports medicine program for the ATFs.
• Use evidenced-based nutrition education and behavior change theories to develop, budget, coordinate, implement, market, and evaluate comprehensive nutrition and other health promotion programs.
• Participate in research, including continuous process improvement (CPI), tracking outcomes, and Institutional Review Board- approved studies. This will, at a minimum, include the collection of data for later analysis, but could include analysis and publication within the scope of the HCW and the direction of a designated Sports Medicine physician or HPS.
• Advise leadership on policy change, policy development, and other matters pertaining to nutrition. HCW shall educate MTIs and training commanders on best practices to optimize training success from HP, evidenced based nutrition education and behavior change theories. HCW shall integrate and collaborate with MTIs, whereas interactions with leadership will be more formal and will usually involve a designated Sports Medicine physician(s) and/or NCOIC.
• Observe and become familiar with the training that occurs in the BMT/Technical Training Squadrons. In doing so, HCW shall also become acquainted with MTIs and training leadership and communicate regularly with these personnel regarding matters related to HP, evidenced-based nutrition education, and behavior change theories for specific patients, as indicated and appropriate, respecting all PA and HIPAA requirements.
• Participate, semi-annually, in CPI efforts based on nutrition practices, disease prevention, and overall health outcomes.

Qualifications:

Citizenship

• Legally authorized to work in the United States in accordance with applicable federal laws and regulations.

Education

• Master's degree – Completion of a didactic program in dietetics approved by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) or Accreditation for the Council for Education in nutrition and Dietetic (ACEND). A training program accredited by either body is acceptable in addition to a master's degree in nutrition, nutrition education, or nutrition related field.

Experience

• Two (2) or more years of experience in medical nutrition therapy, health education, or health promotion, demonstrating positive evidence of ability to perform all duties, to include outpatient and/or clinical inpatient.

Certifications

• In Person - BLS certification, as accepted by the AHA, (Healthcare Providers for clinical providers) or by the American Red Cross, is required. Online courses are not acceptable to