Job Description

Description
JOB SUMMARY:

Plans and delivers nutritional care to patients according to the physicians diagnoses. Performs as a member of the multidisciplinary care team. Screens newly admitted patients to identify those at nutritional risk.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Job Specific:

* Assesses patients nutritional status according to established standards. Performs nutritional screening within required timeframes.

* Obtains necessary information from the medical record to determine patients nutritional status; develops nutritional care plans for patients in the rehabilitation setting.

* Assures that patients cultural, religious, and ethnic food preferences are honored, when possible, unless contraindicated.

* Assures that food and nutrition products are stored under proper conditions of sanitation, temperature, light, moisture, ventilation and security.

* Evaluates the results of nutritional intervention on the patients nutritional status to determine the need to revise the nutritional care plan.

* Improves patients nutritional status by consulting with physician on appropriate nutritional interventions.

* Assists in developing and implementing patient nutrition care programs and ensures consistency of programs. Assists in the development and implementing of patient nutritional menus.

* Interacts professionally with patient/family. Provides nutritional teaching and counseling to patient/family in making desired changes in eating habits. Assesses patients ability to learn.

* Performs all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors.

* Provides food-drug interrelationship information to physician.

* Assists in orienting and in servicing new employees to department.

* Maintains a good working relationship both within the department and with other departments.

* Documentation meets current standards and policies. Documents problems, goals, etc on the Interdisciplinary Care Plan on admission, updates as appropriate.

* Conducts in-service as requested to hospital staff and the community.

* Treats patients and their families with respect and dignity.

* Demonstrates an ability to be flexible, organized and function under stressful situations.

* Assesses patients nutritional status according to established standards.

* Obtains necessary information from the medical record to determine patients nutritional status.

* Develops nutritional care plans for patients in the rehabilitation setting.

Qualifications
QUALIFICATIONS:

* Bachelors degree in course work approved by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE) of the American Dietetic Association (ADA) or a post Bachelors Certificate in Dietetics.

* Participates in continuing educational requirements to maintain registration.

* Certified dietitian status.

* Previous experience in acute care setting preferred.

* Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills.