Outpatient Oncology Dietitian

Reports to the Clinical Nutrition Manager, Provides Medical Nutritional Therapy (MNT), using assessment, goal/intervention setting, planning, implementation, and evaluation. Specializes and/or is certified in Malnutrition, Enteral/Parental Feeding, Weight loss, Heart Failure, Diabetes, Critical Care, Oncology, and more. Educates patients based on their needs. Collaboratively establishes standards of care and protocols for specialized patient populations. Reviews medical records to assess nutritional needs and develops nutritional interventions in conjunction with the healthcare team. Evaluates indicators for the aspects of care in the quality improvement process. Serve as a role model, resource, and leader for fellow dietitians, interns, and students.

MISSION, VALUES and SERVICE GOALS

• MISSION: We deliver outstanding care, inspire health, and connect with heart.
• VALUES: Trust. Respect. Integrity. Compassion.
• SERVICE GOALS: Personally connect. Keep everyone informed. Be on their team.

Standards of Care

• Completes provider and other discipline ordered Consults, nutrition risk screening for assigned units.
• Reviews medical records and appropriately assess nutritional status of patients & formulates nutrition plan of care using the following measures and more: Reviewing labs, medications, feeding modality, current medical diagnosis, skin condition, and diagnosing malnutrition.
• Performing an NFPE (nutritional-focused physical exam) to determine nutritional status,
• Documenting in the EMR using ADIME (Assessment, Diagnosis, Intervention, Monitoring, and Evaluation).
• Collaborates with the physician and multi-disciplinary team regarding the impact of the nutritional status as it affects total treatment plan.
• Has knowledge of Joint Commission and CMS standards and regulations as it pertains to healthcare and dietetics.
• Selects appropriate feeding route (OG, NG, NJ tubes), mode, and medical enteral/parenteral nutrition formulas.
• Maintains appropriate follow-up of patient's nutritional status per protocols and regulations.
• Actively participates in care conferences, discharge planning process and committee meetings assuring follow-up care as appropriate with documentation.
• Actively participates in assigned committees.
• Discusses/interprets appropriate use of pharmacotherapy, makes recommendations as appropriate (supplements, commercial products).
• Incorporates Nutrition Care Process, creating nutrition diagnosis statements (PES) with skill and accuracy into patient documentation.
• Sets measurable goals to promote appropriate nutrition and lifestyle changes.
• Refers patient and/or family to community resources for assistance applicable to the situation.
• Completes discharge orders and sets up home health care for patients who will be going home on tube feedings, oral nutrition supplements, and TPN as applicable.
• Demonstrates flexibility in patient care requirements.
• Calculates caloric, protein, and other micro and macronutrients to meet the needs of the patient.
• Orders appropriate diets, tube feedings, oral nutrition supplements, labs, and vitamins/minerals per order writing policy.
• Participates in medical rounds, discharge planning and patient care conferences as appropriate for the clinical assignment.

Nutrition Education

• Provides education and counseling (individual and group sessions) in accordance with approved procedures.
• Effectively educates patients/families with appropriate medical nutrition therapy and individualizes recommendations according to learning needs.
• Documents required results of patient education on approved forms.
• Identifies and develops nutrition education tools needed.
• Participates in nutrition skill development of hospital employees through educational opportunities. ex. Nursing-New ASPEN guidelines for Critical Care.
• Provides orientation/education to new personnel and dietetic interns.

Program Development

• Markets outpatient medical nutrition therapy services to physicians and potential clients.
• Attends and participates in Departmental meetings, RD meetings and CQI/TVM committees and affects change within the clinical team.
• Practices continuous quality improvement and participates in nutritional monitoring studies as needed.
• Identifies opportunities for improvement within department and hospital.
• Implements new concepts in the delivery of nutritional care to patients.
• Participates in departmental goals and objectives.
• Participates in in-service training for staff, students, and physicians.
• Revises internship materials, learning experiences and assignments in area of clinical expertise.
• Develops protocol or patient care guidelines for area(s) of specialization.
• Coordinates an educational seminar for dietitians, nurses or other professional staff or contributes an article to an in-house or external newsletter to educate professional staff.

Professional Growth (Has one or more of the following criteria met)

• Advanced certification or participation in Beacon Clinical Ladder program preferred.
• Completed master's degree as it relates to the field of Dietetics as of 2024 for NEW GRADS.
• Credentialed for order writing privileges through Beacon and per policy: ability to add/change diet orders, change tube feedings, order oral nutrition supplements, labs, and micronutrients.
• Participate in OPI and analyze results to share with stakeholders.
• Mentor dietetic interns or rising dietetic students.
• Responsible for educating team on changes and progress in specialized area of focus (i.e., Critical Care, Oncology, Cardiology, etc.)
• Develops and participates in revision and update of clinical policies/protocols.

Personal Development

• Understands and complies with the policies, procedures and mission statement.
• Develops and achieves appropriate individual professional goals established by both the CNM and the individual.
• Participates in the development and achievement of annual clinical nutrition team goals.
• Completes competencies as determined by regulatory agencies and the clinical team.
• Presents summary of learning from attendance at off-site continuing education conferences.
• Maintains up to date CDR (Commission on Dietetic Registration) Professional Development portfolio.
• Demonstrates professional behavior by adhering to the AND (Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics) RD Code of Ethics, Beacon standards and Departmental standards.
• Accepts responsibility for individual actions and judgments with patients and staff.
• Accepts responsibility for performing duties under established policies and procedures related to nutrition services.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with patients, employees, and the community by setting appropriate boundaries.

Contribute to the overall effectiveness of the department by

• Completes other job-related duties and projects as assigned.

ORGANIZATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Associate complies with the following organizational requirements

• Attends and participates in department meetings and is accountable for all information shared.
• Completes mandatory education, annual competencies, and department specific education within established timeframes.
• Completes annual employee health requirements within established timeframes.
• Maintains license/certification, registration in good standing throughout fiscal year.
• Direct patient care providers are required to maintain current BCLS (CPR) and other certifications as required by position/department.
• Consistently utilizes appropriate universal precautions, protective equipment, and ergonomic techniques to protect patient and self.
• Adheres to regulatory agency requirements, survey process and compliance.
• Complies with established organization and department policies.
• Available to work overtime in addition to working additional or other shifts and schedules when required.

Professional Growth (Has one or more of the following criteria met):