Medical Nutrition Counselor

Nutrition Counselor

The Nutrition Counselor under the guidance of the Chief Medical Officer is responsible and accountable for providing optimal nutritional care to the Neighborhood Health Services Corporation (NHSC) patients through the assessment, training, counseling, and evaluation of nutritional treatment plans. He/she provides nutrition services and medical nutrition therapy integrated with the patient's medical goals. This individual will also promote health and safety to all patients through responsibilities that will include (but are not limited to), documenting the nutritional status and nutritional needs of all NHSC patients, consults regarding advance nutrition support, and developing or obtaining patient nutrition education materials. The Nutrition Counselor will carry out duties as assigned in accordance with NHSC policy, while maintaining the standards of the dietetic profession, Joint Commission, and other licensing, accrediting, and regulatory agencies.

Essential Functions and Principal Accountabilities:

• Assess nutritional needs, diet restrictions and current health plans to develop and implement dietary-care plans and provide nutritional counseling for NHSC patients.
• Consult with physicians, medical case managers and health care personnel to determine nutritional needs, diet restrictions and medication regimen dietary requirements.
• Advise NHSC patients on nutritional principles, dietary plans, diet modifications, drug-food interactions, side effects management and food selection and preparation.
• Counsel NHSC patients on basic rules of good nutrition, healthy eating habits, and nutrition monitoring to improve their quality of life.
• Conduct periodic medical nutritional educational sessions for the Consumer Advisory Board (CAB) and NHSC support groups.
• Participate in NHSC Department multi-disciplinary Quality Improvement team.

Qualifications:

• Education or Formal Training: Bachelor's degree with major studies in food and nutrition.
• Licenses, Certifications or Registrations: Current NJ State Registered Dietitian.
• Previous Work Experience: At least two (2) years professional dietitian experience in clinical setting.
• Specific Skills or Knowledge: Must be familiar with and willing to comply with training and enforcement requirements for Joint Commission. Must be familiar with and willing to comply with training and enforcement requirements for HIPAA. Must be computer literate and have working knowledge of MS Word, Windows, and Excel. Must possess excellent oral, written, and counseling skills.

Additional Responsibilities

The Nutrition Counselor may be required to perform other duties as assigned or when necessary if such work becomes a permanent and regular part of the job a new job description will be prepared. This job description should not be construed to imply that these requirements are the exclusive standards of the position. The Nutritional Counselor will be expected to perform any related duties as required by NHSC. As with all NHSC positions, the continuation of this position is subject to the availability of sufficient grant funding resources. In addition, all NHSC employees may be required to be reassigned or work temporarily at any one of the work sites of the organization.