Dietitian

PACE Registered Dietitian

PACE, or Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, is an alternative care model for those over 55 years of age requiring nursing home level of care which aims to keep participants living at home in the community. PACE is a collaborative, interdisciplinary approach which coordinates all levels of medical and social needs, including prevention, wellness, socialization, primary care, and access to specialists and other services.

The Registered Dietitian optimizes the nutritional status of PACE participants through comprehensive nutrition assessment, monitoring, and communicating nutrition-related concerns and recommendations to the PACE Interdisciplinary Team. The Registered Dietitian works closely with the catering vendor to ensure alignment with nutritional guidelines and participant-specific needs.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Conducts initial nutrition assessments and scheduled or as-needed reassessments for PACE participants.
2. Documents nutrition assessments, monitoring, and interventions in the medical record.
3. Identifies participants at risk for malnutrition, unintended weight loss, or dysphagia and collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to implement appropriate interventions.
4. Reviews and adjusts therapeutic diets to reflect changes in the daily menu and recommends the use of supplemental feedings when necessary.
5. Provides medical nutrition therapy (MNT) as ordered by the medical provider.
6. Coordinates with the Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) in developing individualized plans of care for each PACE participant.
7. Performs functions and duties as required as a member of the IDT, including participation in IDT meetings, family conferences, grievances, service determination requests, and CMS audits.
8. Coordinates interdepartmental activities to support optimal nutrition care for participants and serves as a resource to staff regarding nutrition-related issues.
9. May participate in completion of the Determination of Need (DON) document as part of the PACE enrollment eligibility assessment.
10. Provides diet instruction to participants and/or family members regarding new diet orders, healthy alternatives, upon IDT member or participant request, and as needed.
11. Conducts home visits when necessary to assess food access, safety, and nutrition-related needs in the participant's home environment.
12. Maintains participant food preferences and tray instructions for designated participants.
13. Works closely with contracted food vendor(s) to assist with menu planning and development and to promote healthy food alternatives.
14. Collaborates with food service vendor(s) to support safe food handling practices and alignment with participant dietary needs; assists with the development of policies and procedures that promote safe food handling practices.
15. Educates food vendors and staff regarding allergies, therapeutic diets, and modified food consistencies.
16. Performs or assists with development and delivery of nutrition-related competencies for food vendors and staff.
17. Maintains rapport with participants, visitors, and family members and gathers feedback regarding participant satisfaction with food services.
18. Utilizes participant feedback on food services to recommend program improvements when appropriate.
19. Assists in development and delivery of departmental and facility-wide educational programs.
20. Ensures nutrition-related clinical practices meet applicable Federal, State, and local regulatory requirements.

Requirements:

• Minimum of bachelor's degree from program in dietetics and nutrition accredited by the Accreditation Council on Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).
• Current Registered Dietitian (RD/RDN) credential through the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist (LDN) in the State of Illinois (or eligible)
• Two years' experience as a Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist preferred.
• Minimum of one-year experience working with older adult population preferred
• Current CPR/BLS (Basic Life Support) certification through the American Heart Association Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and compassionately with participants, caregivers, vendors, and interdisciplinary team members.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to build rapport with participants and families and collaborate effectively within a multidisciplinary healthcare team.
• Demonstrated organizational skills and attention to detail, particularly in managing dietary menu coordination with the PACE Center food service vendor, documentation, and coordination of nutrition services and participant dietary needs.
• Effective time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and respond to changing participant needs.
• Strong clinical reasoning, analytical, and problem-solving skills to assess participant needs, identify risks, and recommend appropriate interventions.
• Ability to prioritize tasks independently and adjust workflow based on participant acuity, care needs, and program priorities.
• Ability to act with professionalism, integrity, discretion, and confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA, PACE, and organizational standards.
• Working knowledge of PACE regulations, CMS requirements, and interdisciplinary care models.
• Ability to assess nutrition needs and develop appropriate nutrition interventions within scope of practice.
• Proficiency in using electronic health records (EHRs) and the ability to accurately document assessments, care coordination, and clinical services.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook) and the ability to learn PACE-specific systems and workflows.
• Ability to work effectively in home, community, and center-based environments, including conducting in-home assessments.
• Ability to maintain flexibility and resilience while working in a fast-paced, participant-centered healthcare setting

Esperanza Health Centers is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) according to Title 44, Ill. Administrative Code, and Subpart C Section 750.150.