Dietitian - Registered Dietitian

Registered Dietitian

Act as a nutritional consultant and resource to members of the health care team. Provide comprehensive nutritional care including assessment, nutrition diagnosis, implementation of a care plan, counseling, education, and evaluation of outcomes to patients, families, and associates. Coordinate various education programs and seminars on nutritional topics.

Assess the nutritional needs of patients by obtaining, verifying, and interpreting data needed to identify nutrition-related problems, their causes, and significance. Determine from patient/family, medical record, and health care team the food and nutrition-related history, anthropometric measurements, biochemical data, medical tests, procedures, nutrition-focused physical findings, and the client history. Determine the nutrition diagnosis to identify and describe a specific nutrition problem that can be resolved or improved through treatment or nutrition intervention. Implement nutrition interventions to resolve or improve the identified nutrition problem. Nutrition therapy is based on individualized, specific patient care needs including food and nutrient delivery, nutrition education, nutrition counseling, and coordination of care. Monitor and evaluate patient care outcomes to determine the amount of progress made and whether goals or expected outcomes are being met. Monitor patient food tolerances to ensure appropriate food consistencies and assess adequate nutritional intake. Collaborate and communicate with health care providers. Act as a consultant. Inform the team of advances in diet therapy, unusual diet-related lab results, or other pertinent facts related to patient nutritional care. Investigate unusual occurrences or customer service complaints. Educate patients and/or their significant others on nutrition and special diets to aid in maintaining health. Maintain documentation of nutrition services provided in the patient's medical record. Develop and conduct in-service classes, community education, and other health and nutrition offerings as requested or assigned. Participate in special projects and committees related to nutritional care of patients as needed. Maintain and enhance professional expertise through appropriate educational and organizational activities. Develop and maintain educational resources appropriate to patient and audience needs as required. Supervise dietetic interns or students orienting them to the profession and providing clinical teaching, precepting, and mentoring throughout their program. Act as a liaison with the department of culinary wellness, addressing patient, employee, visitor, or staff needs. Demonstrate professional characteristics and ethics by adhering to department policy and maintaining up-to-date knowledge and skills. Perform other related duties as required.