Dietitian Hospital Healthcare

University Medical Center of El Paso (UMC) is looking to fill a Clinical Dietitian RD/LD (Dietitian) position at UMC Main Campus. The Dietitian works closely with the interdisciplinary health care team to provide nutrition services and medical nutrition therapy that are integrated and compatible with the patient’s medical program goals and objectives. Responsibilities include developing and implementing nutrition services and medical nutrition therapy using established standards of care and practice protocols/guidelines; managing resources in a cost effective manner; participating in performance improvement efforts; and maintaining professional competency and skills required for professional practice. In addition, the Dietitian will be training in specific job duties such as critical care, specialized areas such as diabetes, renal, cancer care and special projects: policy revision, menu revision or quality assurance programs.

Experience/Education/Licensing Requirements
One year of experience as a Registered Clinical Dietitian in an acute care setting desired, will consider recent graduates
Registered by the Commission on Dietetics Registration of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Current Dietitian license in the state of Texas.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities
Patient Care
Conducts a nutrition screen and /or assessment for patients at nutritional risk. Obtains timely and appropriate data and analyzes/interprets data based on evidence-based standards. Screens patients in ICU, IMCU and critical care areas.
Performs Nutrition Focused Physical Examination for all patients
Performs nutrition diagnosis after identifying the problem. Develops and implements an individualized plan for nutrition intervention in accordance with the patient’s medical program goals and objectives, nutrition prescription, and self-management training. May require development of a therapeutic plan for specialized nutrition support, including enteral and parenteral nutrition.
Utilizes assessment and evaluation techniques that consider the varied needs of age-specific populations as well as cultural, religious, and ethnic concerns.
Evaluates the effectiveness and measures progress towards outcomes of medical nutrition therapy interventions. Reassesses nutrition care process and implements changes as indicated.
Communicates with the medical team through interdisciplinary meetings, rounds with the medical team regularly, and medical conferences.
Provides appropriate documentation that summarizes the nutrition care plan in the patient’s medical record, including nutrition assessment, diagnosis, plan, implementation, and progress toward goals.
Works cooperatively with foodservice staff to assure conformance to diet prescriptions. Revises menus, snacks and provides ideas to make changes
Demonstrates accountability for the proper use of patients’ protected health information.
Assures that care delivered to each patient is in accordance with the state practice act.
Participates in nutrition research studies and communicates findings through reports, abstracts, presentations, and publication.
Monitors, evaluates and makes appropriate changes to TPN/PPN orders
Nutrition Education
Assesses educational needs and provides nutrition counseling for individuals and groups.
Evaluates achievement of learning objectives by the patient and/or family. Provides appropriate follow-up in accordance with the patient’s treatment goals, referring patients for outpatient counseling, community, or home health services as appropriate.
Serves as a resource to medical staff and allied health personnel on nutrition issues.
Assists in the education of dietetic students and interns. Plans learning experiences, teaches, and evaluates performance.
Participates in community projects and education as needed/assigned.
Conducts in-services and educational presentations to hospital/department staff.
Participates in committee meetings as an active member (at least one committee)

Business Functions
Maintains productivity standards and practices effective time management and prioritizing of tasks.
Maintains accurate record keeping of daily clinical activities, including information for scheduling and billing where and if applicable.
Manages resources (time, materials, staff) in a cost-effective manner.
Assists in developing and revising patient education materials, clinical forms, and protocols.
Supports and promotes the organizations’ infection control, safety, risk management, and customer/guest relation programs.
Assists in achieving compliance with the Joint Commission (TJC) standards, with other accrediting organizations, and with regulatory agency standards, including state and federal.
Assigns and directs the workload of diet technicians and diet clerks.
Participates in the orientation and training of staff.
Performs other duties as assigned.

Performance Improvement
Identifies and collects performance improvement data, monitors outcomes, and initiates corrective actions. Needs at least two performance improvement projects for the Career Ladder
Participates in planning and developing nutrition-related policies, procedures, and goals.

Professional Development
Maintains dietetic registration, licensing and continuing education requirements.
Develops and implements an individualized plan for professional growth and development including participation in professional organizations, activities, workshops, seminars, and staff development programs
Participates in departmental and interdisciplinary meetings, task forces, and projects.
Maintains career Ladder requirements

Skills
Comprehensive knowledge and application of nutrition services and medical nutrition therapy.
Ability to communicate effectively in both written and verbal form to patients, public, medical staff, and physician’s one on one or group settings.
Ability to function independently on assigned patient care units.
Ability to counsel and educate others.
General knowledge of nutrient analysis, word processing, and spreadsheet software.
Bi-lingual (English, Spanish) preferred. Capable of educating/community with patients in both languages preferred.

UMC and El Paso Health recognizes and reward individuals who join the team with a competitive salary and premier benefits that actually save our Associates money. Benefits include:

Excellent compensation package.
Robust benefits including medical, prescription, dental, vision and life insurances.
Eligibility to participate in the Texas County/District Retirement System
#(Defined Pension Plan)

• 403(b) an 457 Retirement Plans
• Generous PTO
• Tuition/Education reimbursement
• Education Loan Dismissal Program
• CARES Student Loan Repayment Program
• CARES Home Ownership Program
• Dynamic teaching environment
• Relocation Reimbursement Assistance
• and more!