Clinical Dietitian- Hospital (Casual)

DepartmentFood and Nutritional ServicesEmployment Status (Full Time Equivalent)Casual- 96 hours per yearHoursMonday thru Friday7:00am to 3:30pmCan be flexibleOccasional SaturdaysIn-Person or Remote4 hours or lessPosition ObjectiveThe Clinical Dietitian will be under the general supervision of, and report directly to, the Food & Nutrition Services Director (FNS). In the absence of the FNS Director, the Staff Dietitian will assume the duties of the FNS Director. The Staff Dietitian will also be serving the hospital as a Clinical Dietitian with responsibilities for patient visitations and monitoring patient screens and screening/assessing patient's nutritional needs. The position will assist in developing and maintaining pertinent record systems (P.I. data, outpatient dietary records, calorie count guidelines), conduct classes for hospital support groups and other organizations as requested. The Staff Dietitian will be in constant liaison with the hospital medical staff for recommendations on dietetic policies affecting patient treatment.Some requirements in this job description may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk of the health and safety of themselves or other employees. The requirements are subject to reasonable accommodation to allow individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.Essential ResponsibilitiesInterpret standards prescribed by federal, state, and local authoritiesRecommend standards and monitor practices for sanitation and safetyBe involved in numerous contacts with patients and/or relatives/caregivers in counselling them as to their clinical dietBe involved in contacts with the medical staffEstablish good rapport in the entire FNS Department to be an effective manager in the absence of the FNS Director, and also be effective in and with in-service trainingCollaborate with other hospital servicesRecord patient information consistently per policies and procedures for: evaluations/re-evaluations, treatment notes, establishment of goals, plan of care, discharge summaries/planning, medical record support information, billing informationGather and record departmental data for departmental reportsMaintain pertinent data and provide recommendations or modifications to therapeutic diets as needed for meeting patient's needsEvaluate patient tolerance of therapeutic diets when appropriateVisit patients to determine satisfaction with food servicesInstruct patient/family/significant others on established clinical diet and resolves diet/special eating problemsRecommend dietary therapeutic diet changes to physician/medical staffProvide nutrition consultation to staffDevelop treatment plans and goals as indicated from results of patient evaluation on a timely basisResponsible for patient's ongoing assessment and discharge planning at the minimum recognized intervalsApprove: patient menus, nutritional supplements, patient menu nutritional analysis, facility diet manualMonitor food service activitiesDocument all patient care processes according to policyProvide care according to organizational ethics and Standards of Professional Practice for Dietetics ProfessionalsReview and implement all policies and procedures as outlined in the Safety/Risk Management Manuel (i.e. Volume I - General Safety, Mandatory Annual In-Services, Volume II - Employee Health and Infection Control)Monitor food service activities including HACCPComplete mandatory safety in-services annuallyCarry out Physicians' orders as to the proper diet for each patientProvide group education classesRequired QualificationsGraduate from an accredited college offering the dietetic programRegistered member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (or eligible)Completed an approved dietetic internshipComplete continuing education requirements to remain registeredKnowledge, Skills and AbilitiesMedium physical work demand for strength to perform job dutiesAbility to tactically handle difficult situationsAbility to communicate factual data orally and written for patient and department reportsKnowledge of specific nutritional needs of the patients they serve as related to their age (portion served, specific dietary requests and/or needs)Knowledge of hospital wide polices in order to complete assignments and assist in the supervision of other staff and studentsKnowledge about all equipment in the FNS DepartmentDemonstrate initiative, ability to accomplish tasks without managerial interventionAbility to be alert to details, accurate in responses to inquires with prompt relating of messages and informationUnion Position