Clinical Dietitian (Food and Nutrition Services/Per Diem/Days)

Clinical Dietitian (Food and Nutrition Services)

Responsible for providing comprehensive nutrition assessments and care planning for patients and residents with special needs. Actively and consistently contributes to department operations and communications, behaves in a manner consistent with the mission, vision, and values of Pipeline Health, upholding standards of AIDET (Acknowledge, Introduce, Duration, Explanation, Thank you) patient communication.

Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

Essential Functions:

• Directs dietary care of patients and residents with special needs including screening, assessment, intervention, care, and discharge planning to ensure patient nutrition needs and customer satisfaction levels are met.
• Educates medical staff and counsel patients/residents and their families on proper nutritional care.
• Collaborates and communicates with culinary and clinical departments on established processes, special diets, and menu requests.
• Stays current with most recent nutrition-related trends, research, policy, certifications, and standards of practice.
• Ensures compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations as well as policies and procedures (e.g. HIPPA/Privacy Act, quality assurance, safety, operations, and personnel).
• Establishes operating standards, implements quality improvements, and communicates them to other departments.
• Uses clear, concise, professional communication with coworkers, patients, all customers internal and external.
• Uses AIDET in interactions with patients and family members.
• Acts with a sense of urgency when performing tasks.
• Basic unit/department maintenance such as keeping files, drawers, cabinets free from unnecessary clutter. Reports on any equipment and or environmental issues for repair.
• Abides by HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) regulations.
• Speaks up to stop the line and escalates potential safety events if necessary.
• Completes and attends monthly training assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.

Behavioral Standards:

• Treats everyone as their customer; utilizes scripting and other tools to ensure consistency in customer service; Expresses recognition and shows appreciation to others; fully utilizes AIDET principles; responds quickly to handle requests, complaints and questions; displays a positive attitude.
• Demonstrates the highest level of professionalism, passion and care when interacting with patients, families, physicians, and hospital staff members.
• Using a lens of equity in all aspects of patient care delivery, education, and research to promote policies and practices to allow opportunities for all to thrive and reach their potential, embracing ingenuity to service our customers.

Communication/Knowledge:

• Provides accurate and timely written and verbal communication of clinical information in a manner that is understood by all involved in the delivery of patient care.
• Able to listen, understand, problem-solve, and carry-out duties to ensure the optimal patient care outcomes.
• Able to use IT system.
• Wears nametag properly; follows dress code policy; answers phone correctly and promptly; is prepared for meetings; meets deadlines; does not participate in gossip; acts ethically and treats others with respect; respects customer's and co-worker's time; establishes and maintains effective relationships with customers and co-workers.

Collaboration/Teamwork:

• Contributes toward effective, positive working relationships with internal and external colleagues.
• Attends staff meetings; follows HIPAA guidelines; follows patient rights policy; complies with the compliance program; demonstrates knowledge of role in a disaster; demonstrates knowledge of fire and fire drill procedures; working knowledge of hospital emergency codes; always utilizes standard precautions in the clinical setting; safely manages the environment of care by demonstrating a working knowledge of the requirements of the: Life Safety program, Utilities Management program, Hazardous Materials program, Emergency Preparedness program, Safety Management program, Medical Equipment Management program, Security Management program.

Qualifications/Experience:

• Dietetic Internship with validation of one thousand (1000) hours completed (internship verification form required) and/or one (1) year of experience in an acute care setting as a Registered Dietitian.
• Critical thinking, service excellence and good interpersonal communication skills, ability to read/comprehend written instructions, strong organizational skills, ability to follow verbal instructions, and PC (computer) skills, preferred.
• A capacity to learn, synthesize, make critical judgments, work independently, place patients and families first, and collaborate with the team members who are recognized leaders within health care.

Licensure/Certifications:

• Current Registered Dietitian (RD) required from the Commission of Dietetic Registration (CDR) or eligible to take and successfully pass the registration exam within twelve (12) months of hire.