Associate Dietitian

Nutritional Services Coordinator

Provides nutritional services for the facility's in-center and home patients to maximize the patient's nutritional status and improve clinical outcomes. Functions as a member of the interdisciplinary healthcare team, supporting the FMCNA commitment to the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAI) activities. Actively participates in process improvement activities that enhance the likelihood that patients will achieve their individualized patient-specific goals as determined by the patient's physician.

Principal duties and responsibilities include:

• Assessing patient's knowledge of diet and kidney disease and providing education appropriate to patient's learning needs regarding the relationship of diet and kidney disease and the impact on the treatment process.
• Providing patient specific detailed education to patient/family/caregiver regarding nutritional status, adequacy measures and results, fluid status, and all nutrition related lab parameters pertaining to their disease process.
• Completing nutritional assessment and participating in the interdisciplinary comprehensive assessments.
• Participating with the interdisciplinary team in the development of a written, individualized comprehensive plan of care that specifies the services necessary to address the patient's needs, in accordance with established Federal and, where applicable, state licensure guidelines.
• Calculating diet prescription according to standard of practice.
• Completing progress notes on all chronic dialysis patients according to established FMCNA guidelines. Maintaining complete and accurate documentation of all appropriate information in medical record according to established FMCNA policies and Federal and state regulations.
• Providing patient with ongoing nutrition assessment and outcome-oriented nutrition counseling necessary to assist patient in achieving and sustaining an effective nutritional status.
• Identifying malnourished patients as well as patients at risk for malnutrition and working collaboratively with interdisciplinary team to identify appropriate interventions, resources or solutions. Reviewing each patient's albumin level and body weight at least monthly. Implementing plan of care with involvement of patient/family/caregiver.
• Monitoring adherence and response to nutrition therapy, adjusting therapy as needed to achieve and sustain an effective nutritional status, documenting why the patient was unable to achieve the goals and implementing the plan of care to address issues impacting the patient's ability to achieve the goals.
• Collaborating with the interdisciplinary team on Urea Kinetic Modeling recommendations to achieve the physician's prescription of Kt/V.
• Collaborating with the interdisciplinary team on management and recommendations for mineral metabolism and renal bone disease, anemia and iron status, nutritional status, psychosocial status, vascular access, modality, rehabilitation status and sodium/volume control.
• Adhering to FMCNA algorithm and medical record policies.
• Reporting on nutrition QAI results and participating in the interdisciplinary QAI program.
• Collaborating and coordinating with team members in provision of Pre-ESRD education as appropriate.
• When appropriate, working with Case Manager to coordinate plan of care for patient education and identifying candidates to refer to physician for nutritional supplements, as per disease management agreements.
• Reviewing nutrition related lab results:
• Counseling patient and/or caregiver and formulating appropriate action.
• Recommending treatment changes to the interdisciplinary team as appropriate.
• Communicating with physician and/or facility staff regarding lab results as appropriate.
• Communicating lab results and recommended treatment changes to providers of patient care in nursing facilities (i.e., hospitals, short term and long-term care facilities).
• Participating in pertinent staff meetings (i.e., general staff, quality improvement), Care plan meetings, and others as applicable.
• Consulting with FMS Corporate Dietitian regarding nutrition concerns as needed.
• Maintaining and improving knowledge and skills for a competent and innovative practice.
• Maintaining dietetic registration and continuing education hours as specified by American Dietetic Association and state licensure regulations where applicable.
• Collaborating with interdisciplinary team, ensuring that all work areas are safe and clean.
• Performing other nutrition management duties as assigned.
• Performing other related duties as assigned.

Physical demands and working conditions:

• The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• The work environment is characteristic of a health care facility with air temperature control and moderate noise levels. May be exposed to infectious and contagious diseases/materials.
• Day to day work includes desk and personal computer work and interaction with patients, facility staff and physicians.
• The position requires travel between assigned facilities and various locations within the community. Travel to regional, Business Unit and Corporate meetings may be required.

Supervision:

• None

Education and required credentials:

• Registered Dietitian as per Commission on Dietetic Registration
• Board Certified Specialist in Renal Nutrition encouraged.
• Current state licensure if applicable.

Experience and skills:

• Minimum of 1-year professional work experience in clinical nutrition as a Registered Dietitian.
• Previous renal experience preferred.
• Demonstrated leadership competencies and skills for the position, including ability to teach, strong organizational skills, excellent communication, customer service, relationship development, results orientation, team building and decision making.
• Able to perform responsibilities with minimum supervision.
• Basic computer skills required.

Fresenius Medical Care maintains a drug-free workplace in accordance with applicable federal and state laws.