Position Summary the Registered/Clinical Dietitian renders patient care nutritional services to patients and the Physician and Nursing staffs as directed by the Assistant Director of Nutrition Services. S/he communicates with physicians and nurses in response to patient's complex nutritional needs. S/he is cognizant and supportive of the mission, vision, Patient's Bill of Rights, objectives, policies and procedures of the Department of Food & Nutrition Services and of Wyckoff Heights Medical Center. The Registered/Clinical Dietitian functions in a collaborative and consultative capacity with members of the health care team.
Essential Functions
*Appropriately identifies patients at nutritional risk. Accurately calculates metabolic needs, i.e. energy, protein, fluid, and/or specific nutrients. Recommends appropriate nutrition intervention based on subjective and objective data.
* Accurately documents the initial and ongoing assessments of patients' nutritional status and progress as determined by departmental policies and procedures.
* Educates in accordance with guidelines established by the nutrition care manual. Determines patients' comprehension of education and appropriate follow up recommendations made.
* Document in a concise manner that reflects the problem, patient needs and goals, learning capabilities/limitations and progress toward established goals
* Documentation is legible and unacceptable abbreviations are not used.
* Effectively communicates nutrition care information when patients are transferred
* Actively participates in in-service education with clinical staff and allied health professionals.
* Actively participates in the process of performance improvement.
* Identifies patient by age. demonstrates competency in addressing age specific patient care issues.
* Follow all safety rules and regulations of the Hospital, attends all safety in-services as scheduled and demonstrates competency in these areas.
* Addresses issues as they arrive without disruption of the daily routine.
* Appropriately prioritize job responsibilities to work within daily time constraints.
* Attend accredited seminars and lectures in compliance with credentialing requirements for
maintaining continuing education.
* Follow all safety rules and regulations of the Hospital, attends all safety in-services as scheduled and demonstrates competency in these areas.
* Assumes responsibility for nutritional assessment for the following groups of patients: adult critical care patients, adult patients receiving enteral nutrition support, infants, toddlers, preschoolers, adolescents, adult and geriatric in-patients.
* Monitors and manages the nutritional services aspects of care for the above groups of patients in consultation with the physician and other members of the health care team.
* Documents all aspects of care related to nutritional services in the above-mentioned groups of patients.
* Reviews nutritional status, all laboratory values and other pertinent information and determines a nutritional care plan based on patient population served.
* Participates in the promotion and implementation of policies, procedures and protocols related to nutrition care.
* Provides in-service and continuing education programs for physicians, nursing and Food Services personnel.
* Assumes the role of patient educator for those patients requiring educational support.
* Contacts physicians, without hesitation, to discuss any problems
* Participates in clinical rounds with the interdisciplinary team.
* Updates the nutrition care plan and cboard files on a regular basis to maintain communication with the support staff.
* Handles all confidential information in conformance with department and hospital policy. Maintains confidentiality of patient's records and information.
* Participates in community education efforts such as Health Fairs and school presentations.
* Regularly attends staff meetings.
* Performs meal rounds and taste testing as assigned.
* Performs all other duties as required.
Formal Education and Job-Related This position requires a minimum formal education of bachelor's degree and a minimum of 1 year job- related experience.
License, Registration, or Cert. Required: RD or RDE