Job Summary
This position provides leadership in specialty area of clinical nutrition, establishes practice standards and serves as a mentor to educate colleagues in the specialty nutrition area. This position manages a complex caseload of patients by providing comprehensive nutritional assessments, developing appropriate nutrition care plans, and monitoring outcomes of plans. Provides patient and family nutrition counseling and education. Develops Nutrition Standards of Practice and Education material in collaboration with peers. Serves as a member of the interdisciplinary Health Care team providing input and establishing patient care policies, programs, quality improvement activities and provides in-service education in areas of expertise.
Essential Functions
Provides comprehensive nutrition assessment of patients' nutritional needs, with at least 50% of patient case load in designated specialty area. Obtains timely and appropriate data and analyzes/interprets data based on evidence-based standards and nutrition practice guidelines.
Evaluates effectiveness of the care plan and communicates effectively to the other members of the healthcare team to provide optimal nutrition outcomes. Provides pertinent information in the medical records, patient plans of care and/or clinical pathways while meeting requirements of regulatory agencies (i.e. Joint Commission, CMS, State and Local Agencies).
Provides nutrition education to patients, families, staff and other health care team professionals through the development of effective teaching materials and in-service programs; Evaluates patient and or family response to education.
Provides leadership in area of practice, establishing proper patient care procedures and acts as liaison with nursing areas. Establishes and monitors policies and procedures in area of expertise and communicates areas of concern that impact patient care in this area. Assists with program marketing through the development of effective work relationships with internal and external customers to enhance the use of services provided by clinical program.
Participates in and identifies continuous quality improvement activities in clinical areas to ensure optimal nutrition care outcomes are achieved; Participates in clinical nutrition Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities and completes one outcome study per year to improve on quality of nutrition service or to improve nutrition outcomes. Provides additional coordination of projects and programs.
Demonstrates proficiency in area of practice; Responsible for developing training and educational materials to assist colleagues in developing skills in area of specialty and mentors staff members in area of specialty.
Minimum Qualifications
Must possess the knowledge demonstrated through the completion of a Bachelor's Degree in Nutrition and/or Dietetics. Must be registered through the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the American Dietetic Association and maintain ongoing registration and provide verification of registration annually. Maintains current licensure as required by State law.
Must possess a level of expertise typically achieved through three to five years clinical experience in a specialty area. Must be able to function independently and be effective at prioritizing assigned patient case load as well as the ability to lead and serve as a resource for issues.
To be classified as RD II, at least 50% of dietitian's case load must be in the specialty area. This requires documentation of certification and expertise in one of the following areas:CNSD-Certified Nutrition Support Dietitian (to year 2012); CNSC-Certified Nutrition Support Clinician; CDE-Certified Diabetes Educator; Board Certified Specialist in Pediatric Nutrition (CSP); Board Certified Specialist in Renal Nutrition (CSR); Board Certified Specialist in Oncology Nutrition (CSO); Board Certified Specialist in Gerontology Nutrition (CSG); Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD). CNIS Certified Nutrition Injury Specialist--- attained through the successful completion of The Nutrition Injury-Specific Diagnostic Nutrition Residency--An Advanced Practice Approach to Diagnosing Nutritional Disorders. Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) administered by the Certification Board for Nutrition Specialists (CBNS); Board Certified Specialist in Obesity and Weight Management (CSOWM).
Preferred Qualifications
Additional related education and/or experience preferred.
