Registered Dietitian

Registered Dietitian

Reporting to the Home Care Director, the Registered Dietitian provides consultation and education as needed for Home Care and Hospice patients and staff.

Essential Functions

• Perform nutrition assessments and education for referred Home Care and Hospice patients via telephone, video, electronic communication, or home visit, as clinically indicated, as needed.
• May consult on patients who are at risk for malnutrition or who require nutrition intervention and develops individualized nutrition care plans based on the patient's clinical condition, goals of care, nutritional needs, and home environment.
• Communicates nutrition recommendations and other pertinent information to case managers, medical providers, and members of the interdisciplinary Home Care and Hospice teams, as needed.
• Documents nutrition assessments, interventions, patient education, recommendations, and follow-up plans accurately and timely in the Electronic Medical Record (EMR).
• May provide education to patients and caregivers regarding therapeutic and modified diets, food selection and preparation, nutrition goals, and enteral or parenteral nutrition regimens and techniques. Adapts education and materials to meet individual patient and caregiver needs.
• May monitor patients receiving nutrition support and assist with troubleshooting nutrition-related concerns, including feeding tube issues, formula intolerance, hydration concerns, laboratory abnormalities, and other complications within the Registered Dietitian's scope of practice.
• May educate staff regarding the role and scope of the Registered Dietitian within Home Care and Hospice and the process for initiating nutrition referrals.
• Provides in-service education to Home Care, Hospice, and Hospice House staff as needed. Topics may include nutrition-related symptom management, malnutrition, enteral nutrition, parenteral nutrition, therapeutic diets, food safety, and other relevant nutrition topics.
• Serves as a nutrition resource and subject-matter expert for the Home Care and Hospice interdisciplinary clinical teams.

Other Job Functions

• Participates in required agency education, training, and in-service programs.
• Demonstrates flexibility in the role by performing other duties as assigned and within the individual's qualifications and professional scope of practice.

Granite VNA Values

• Respect - Treats people without judgment in an appreciative manner. Values the rights, wishes and culture of each individual. Listens to understand by being present and attentive. Treats others with fairness.
• Compassion - Shows kindness and empathy in all interactions. Demonstrates care and concern through active listening. Approaches each interaction with awareness and presence and is sensitive to others' needs and challenges.
• Competence - Encourages continuing education and supports skill development to effectively meet the needs of our community. Uses best practices. Demonstrates critical thinking.
• Culture of Excellence - Promotes the highest quality of care through innovation and resilience to changes. Embraces challenges with creative problem solving and leads with advanced technology and programs.
• Leadership - Provides strong leadership, sets a good example, skilled decision maker and motivator. Creates an atmosphere that encourages risk-taking. Fosters an environment of trust and authenticity. Guides others to a common purpose.
• Stewardship - Moves the Agency's mission forward while respecting its history. Is transparent with all stakeholders. Manages all resources appropriately and cultivates awareness and respect for the Agency's tangible and intangible resources.

Work Environment

The employee will be exposed to a controlled work environment. The employee may also be exposed to blood and bodily fluids, virus, disease and infection from patients and environmental hazards in the work environment. The employee may be required to work extended periods of time using a desktop, laptop and/or other mobile device. This is a field position. Primary work location is in the community providing direct patient care not eligible for remote or work from home.

Expected Hours of Work

The employee will be scheduled to work based on program and Agency needs, averaging approximately 5 hours per month.

Physical Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. Specific abilities include reading, writing and speaking in English, normal or correctable vision with the ability to accurately discern colors, and hearing.
• This position requires the ability to use a computer to document patient care. Specific abilities include use of fine motor skills to type, write and perform professional skills.
• This position requires the ability to use a computer to document patient care. Specific abilities include use of fine motor skills to type, write and perform professional skills.
• This position requires intermittent physical activity, including standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping and crouching.
• This position requires the ability to minimally lift up to 25 lbs.
• This position requires the ability to sit for prolonged periods.

Requirements

1. Bachelor of Science in Nutrition, Nutritional Science, Dietetics
2. Post-graduate internship
3. Registered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration
4. Licensed by the State of New Hampshire
5. Minimum of five years of clinical experience