Clinical Dietitian- Columbia County (FT Days)

How would you like to work in a place where your contributions and ideas are valued? A place where you can serve with compassion, pursue excellence and honor every voice? At Wellstar, our mission is simple, yet powerful: to enhance the health and well-being of every person we serve. We are proud to have become a shining example of what's possible when the brightest professionals dedicate themselves to making a difference in the healthcare industry, and in people's lives.

Work Shift

Day (United States of America)

Job Summary

• Practices as a member of the interdisciplinary health care team responsible for the provision of medical nutrition
• therapy. Fosters continuity of the Nutrition Care Process across all phases of the continuum of care as
• recommended by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Performs nutrition assessment for patients identified to
• be at nutrition risk based on criteria outlined by the hospital and best practice standards. Calculates metabolic
• nutrient requirements according to the age and disease specific needs of patients. Performs nutrition focused
• physical exam to further evaluate risk of malnutrition as indicated. Develops a nutrition diagnosis as appropriate
• and consistent with the Nutrition Care Process. Creates and implements a nutrition intervention and care plan for
• all patients with a nutrition diagnosis. Continuously evaluates and monitors the effectiveness and outcomes of
• medical nutrition therapy intervention. Provides nutrition education to patients, family, and/or members of the
• health care team on recommended nutrition intervention(s) to accomplish nutrition goals; which may include,
• but is not limited to any of the following topics: specialized diet, enteral/oral medical nutrition supplements, food
• selections, eating behaviors, and community nutrition resources. Manages the delivery of nutrition care services
• according to the site of care assigned. Participates in performance improvement and research activities. Mentors
• dietetic interns/diet technicians. Actively assess, evaluates and maintains professional development and
• competencies outlined in the position description.

Core Responsibilities and Essential Functions

• Provide medical nutrition therapy according to system policy and A.N.D. Nutrition Care Process practice
• standards

• Utilizes the Nutrition Care Process and WellStar Nutrition Care Policies when assessing patients
• Responsible for nutrition screen, assessment, diagnosis, intervention, and monitoring/evaluation of identified at risk patients
• Apply psycho-social, age appropriate, evidence-based nutrition care
• Document all patient encounters in the health care record in accordance with hospital and department policies and procedures
• Identify, monitor, and evaluate enteral nutrition support regimens. Manage enteral nutrition support under the supervision of medical staff
• Develop and implements transitional feeding plans
• Perform Nutrition Focused Physical Exams to evaluate malnutrition severity as appropriate
• Assess patients learning needs, barriers to learning, preferred learning styles and educational level and provides nutrition education accordingly
• Utilizes community resources through the continuum of care to foster positive patient outcomes

Develops, implements, and promotes quality services based on client expectation and needs.

• Collaborates with patient and/or family member, and health care team to assess nutrition and education needs of patients.
• Provides services and establishes goals based on the identified needs of patients and/or family members.
• Applies knowledge and skills in developing, implementing and maintaining nutrition care plans
• Continuously evaluates nutrition care processes and patient outcomes and implements quality practice by following system policies, procedures, and evidenced based research
• Provides care according to organizational ethics, licensure and Standards of Professional Practice for Dietetics Professionals
• Applies Joint Commission and/or regulatory standards in the provision of nutrition care
• Utilized patient experience and empathy skills when interacting with patients and family members
• Participates in multidisciplinary rounds, appropriate committees, and team member huddles

Locates, reviews, and utilizes best practice research findings for their application in optimally managing a disease or condition and improving patient outcomes.

• Bases clinical practice on sound scientific principles, current research and theory
• Shares and reports research and patient outcomes utilizing various media
• Demonstrates knowledge related to clinical practice.
• Communicates sound scientific principles, research, and theory to health care team members and dietetic interns in optimally managing patients' care
• Shares knowledge and expertise with dietetic interns, patients, family members and health care team members
• Documents understanding of relevant information and results of communication with dietetic interns/technicians/patients/families and healthcare team members
• Contributes to the development of new knowledge and services
• Seeks out information effectively and independently to provide effective services

Systematically evaluates the quality and effectiveness of practice and revises practice as needed to incorporate results of evaluation.

• Participates in and identifies performance improvement criteria for nutrition care by completing peer chart audits as assigned and reviewing with their nutrition leader
• Continuously evaluates and refines service based on measurable outcomes by keeping a productivity log
• Identifies expected outcomes of patient care
• Participates in quality improvement initiatives and projects

Engages in lifelong self-development to improve knowledge and skills that promote continued competence.

• Conducts yearly self-assessment to identify professional strengths and weaknesses
• Identifies needs for professional development and mentors dietetic interns
• Documents professional development activities according to system policies

• Engage in continuous learning opportunities to further develop skills and capabilities in application technical and functional areas
• Performs other duties as assigned
• Complies with all Wellstar Health System policies, standards of work, and code of conduct.

Required Minimum Education

• Bachelors Dietetics or Bachelors Nutrition
• Other / Certificate Dietetics or Other / Certificate Nutrition

Required Minimum License(s) and Certification(s)

All certifications are required upon hire unless otherwise stated.

• BLS - Basic Life Support or ARC-BLS - Amer Red Cross Basic Life Support or BLS-I - Basic Life Support - Instructor or BLS-P - Basic Life Support-Provisional (30 Days) within 30 Days
• LD - Lic Dietician or LD-P - Lic Dietician - Provisional (180 Days) within 180 Days
• RD - Registered Dietician or RDN - Reg Dietician Nutritionist or RDN-P - Reg Dietician Nutritionist - Provisional (180 Days) within 180 Days

Required Minimum Experience

One to two years clinical experience Preferred

Completion of a supervised practice didactic program accredited by the Accreditation Counsel for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)

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