Dietitian Nutritionist

Job Overview: Performs journey level professional dietetic work in a mental health setting; develops menus and special diets; consults with patients regarding dietary needs and issues; provides training and educational services to patients regarding dietary issues; consults with other health care professionals regarding care and treatment of patients with special dietary needs.

Major Duties or Responsibilities: Completes nutritional assessments

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  Prepares nutritional assessments on patients identified at nutritional risk or as assigned to include all acute and long-term care patients according to policy and procedures.
  
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  Analyzes data from patient interaction and/or observation and professional staff to develop individualized nutrition treatment plans to include goals and approaches based upon nutritional deficits and medical needs.
  
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  Monitors patient progress and achievement of nutritional goals according to the treatment plan, recommends suitable intervention, documents, and re-evaluates periodically.
  
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  Consults with medical, professional, and nursing staff to coordinate dietary treatment, make recommendations for nutritional intervention, and to provide information regarding nutrition and diet therapy.
  
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  Evaluates appropriateness of individual therapeutic diets through patient/staff interaction and patient observation to recommend intervention as appropriate.
  
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  Prepares dietary discharge summaries; presents discharge diet instructions.
  
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  Provides therapeutic diet guidance and instructions to enable staff to correctly prepare modified diets according to physician orders.
  
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  Receives physician’s diet orders and prepares individualized patient diet cards in compliance with the orders to include preferences, dislikes, allergies, and supplements as prescribed.
  

Hospital Wide Services

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  Carries out other appropriate duties as requested by the Medical Director.
  
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  Serves on Hospital committees as assigned by the Medical Director or the Hospital Administrator.
  
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  Participates in, and provides for other staff, continuing education and training programs.
  
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  Consults with other professionals including physicians, nurses, psychologists, social workers, patient care decisions related to patient diet.
  
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  Participates in the development, revision, and implementation of policies and procedures concerning nutritional care, food preparation and service, and food safety and sanitation.
  
  Physical and Environmental Demands: Must be able to work closely with patients. The incumbent makes regular visits to various work environments throughout the hospital including residences, and patient units which may subject the individual to unpredictable patient behaviors. The position requires standing, walking, and sitting to perform the essential duties. Must be willing to go to all on-campus patient care units.
  

Qualifications:


Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Required for the first day of work:

• Direct and instruct others in dietetic food preparation.
• Plan menus to meet high nutritional standards.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relations with others.
• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Work comfortably and congenially within a team-oriented work setting.

Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience):

• Bachelor’s degree in Dietetics/Nutrition
• Registered Dietitian with The American Dietetic Association.

Eligible Training Assignment:

18.18