Registered Clinical Dietitian

Registered Dietitian (RD)

The Registered Dietitian (RD) provides clinical nutrition oversight and consultative services to skilled nursing facilities operated by Hillcrest Healthcare Communities, Inc. The RD is responsible for ensuring that residents receive appropriate, individualized, and compliant nutritional care in accordance with CMS regulations, Tennessee Department of Health nursing home rules, and accepted standards of dietetic practice.

Scope of Role:

•Provides clinical nutrition oversight across assigned skilled nursing facilities.

•Serves as the Registered Dietitian of record for regulatory compliance purposes, as applicable.

•Focuses on resident outcomes, nutritional risk mitigation, and regulatory compliance.

•Makes clinical recommendations; implementation remains the responsibility of facility staff.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Resident-Centered Clinical Nutrition Oversight :

•Conducts comprehensive nutritional assessments upon admission quarterly, annually, and with significant change in condition.

•Develop, implement, and update individualized nutrition care plans based on assessment findings, diagnoses, and resident preferences.

·Monitoring residents at nutritional risk, including those with weight changes, wounds, swallowing disorders, renal disease, diabetes, and other therapeutic needs.

·Evaluate the effectiveness of nutritional interventions and modify care plans as indicated.

·Evaluate weight trends, intake records, laboratory values, and clinical indicators affecting nutritional status.

·Provide evidence-based recommendations for diet orders, supplements, and nutrition interventions.

·Monitor effectiveness of nutritional interventions and recommend modifications as needed.

Regulatory & Compliance

·Ensure compliance with CMS regulations and applicable state requirements.

·Participate in survey preparation and respond to nutrition-related survey findings, including development and implementation of corrective action plans.

·Maintain accurate, timely, and compliant documentation in the medical record.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

·Participate in interdisciplinary care plan meetings, including resident and family conferences when appropriate.

·Collaborate with nursing, speech therapy, occupational therapy, physicians, and food service staff to support resident care.

·Provide guidance on diet texture modifications and swallowing-related nutrition issues.

Documentation & Reporting:

•Maintain documentation supporting resident care and regulatory compliance.

•Provide written clinical summaries and recommendations.

•Support accurate MDS coding and care planning.

Quality Assurance & Performance Improvement:

•Participate in QAPI initiatives related to nutrition and hydration.

•Identify trends and recommend improvement strategies across facilities.

Education & Training

·Provide nutrition education to residents, families, and staff as appropriate.

·Educate staff on nutrition-related policies, procedures, and best practices.

·Serve as a resource for nutrition-related clinical questions.

Qualifications:

Required:

•Bachelor's or Master's degree in Nutrition or Dietetics.

•Current registration with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).

•Current Tennessee licensure as required.

•Knowledge of long-term care regulations.