Dietitian: Bariatric Division

Job Profile Summary

This role focuses on providing medical and clinical support services to patients. In addition, this role focuses on performing the following Nutrition duties: Evaluates patients and helps them improve physical and mental conditions through treating nutritional difficulties, ranging from undernourishment to obesity. A professional individual contributor role that may direct the work of other lower level professionals or manage processes and programs. The majority of time is spent overseeing the design, implementation or delivery of processes, programs and policies using specialized knowledge and skills typically acquired through advanced education. An experienced level role that applies practical knowledge of job area typically obtained through advanced education and work experience. Works independently with general supervision, problems faced are difficult but typically not complex, and may influence others within the job area through explanation of facts, policies and practices.

Job Overview

Responsible for the provision of optimal nutritional care and functions as the nutritional expert and patient nutrition advocate on the health care team. Supervises staff of dietitians and nutritionists. Assists with creation of pediatric, adolescent, and adult programs. Creates quality monitors for the nutrition programs.

Job Description

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Master's degree in Nutrition.

2. Certified Nutrition Support Clinician (CNSC) or Registered Dietitian (RD).

3. Dietitian License.

4. Two (2) years of related experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Three (3) years of related experience.

2. Certified Specialist in Obesity and Weight Management (CSOMW).

Duties and Responsibilities: The duties and responsibilities listed below are intended to describe the general nature of work and are not intended to be an all-inclusive list. Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned.

1. Initially screens nutritionist status of each client to determine nutritional needs and the level of nutritional intervention required by reviewing the patient's medical record, especially the patient's medical history, drug history, and clinical laboratory data, and attending team rounds.

2. Performs nutritional and metabolic assessments based on clinical, medical and nutritional data in order to identify patients at nutrition risk.

3. Assesses patients' nutritional status, develops medical nutrition care plans, monitors and documents the needs for those patients identified at nutritional risk, transitions eternally or parentally fed patients to discharge regimen.

4. Reviews physicians' diet orders for appropriateness and recommends clarification or changes as indicated based on nutrition history, medical history, socio-economic factors and laboratory data.

5. Supervises staff dietitian.

6. Assists with development, implementation and monitoring of quality improvement standards for patient meal service delivery.

7. Educates both patient and families regarding modified or normal diets to meet the individual nutritional needs of the patient and documents counseling in medical record.

8. Develops an individualized diet plan (based on the evaluation) and counsels the patient and, if necessary, the family, including the planning, purchasing, and preparation of foods to meet the patient's individual needs.

9. Follows progress of patient on successive visits and makes appropriate changes in care plan.

10. Maintains the necessary patient records and statistics, including written evaluations, progress notes, etc.

11. Provides effective direction, guidance, and leadership over the staff for effective teamwork and motivation.

12. Provides nutritional consultation to the medical and nursing staff and other members of the health care team.

13. Acts as a resource to community groups regarding nutrition and gives presentations and lectures at professional meetings and to community groups.

14. Provides nutritional in service education to other members of the health care team.

15. Communicates nutrition information to patient service assistant to ensure optimal delivery of medical nutrition therapy.

16. Interacts with other members of the patient's health care team to ensure optimal nutritional care for each patient including discharge planning and continuing care conferences and continued nutritional support in the home environment.

17. Integrates pediatric and adolescent program into existing adult program.

18. Plans, implements, and evaluates group sessions.

19. Maintains professional standards of practice.

20. Advises and supervises development of patient educational materials using only approved material based on sound outcomes.

21. Acts as preceptor for the FSNC nutrition interns (graduate students) during their clinical affiliations.

22. Makes recommendations on employee hires, transfers, promotions, salary changes, discipline, terminations, and similar actions.

23. Participates in the review, update and implementation of departmental policies and procedures, as assigned.

24. Participates in departmental quality improvement programs as assigned, especially those related to improving patient outcome.

25. Performs necessary administrative duties such as scheduling patient appointments, reviewing medical records and recording billing and insurance information.

26. Meets assigned patient billing and volume goals.

27. Participates, as required, in nutrition-related studies and projects.

29. Trains all new staff.

30. Assists with Develops, recommends, and manages budgets for the areas managed

31. Creates quality assurance monitors for clinical and volume of practice to monitor outcomes and benchmarks.

32. Interviews patients for nutritional history and relates problems to current medical history.

33. Monitors nutrient intake records and nutrient calculations for selected patients.

34. Directs and supervises assigned personnel including performance evaluations, scheduling, orientation, and training.

Physical Requirements:

1. Normal business office environment.

Skills & Abilities:

1. Knowledge of drug/nutrient interactions and the principles of nutrition with an emphasis on disease and diet, and internal/parental support.

2. Interpersonal skills necessary to interact with patients, their families and staff.

3. Ability to communicate with and assess the patient needs of different age populations to provide necessary care.

4. Excellent counseling skills and ability to work closely with psychologist team.

5. Ability to read/write and communicate in English with a demonstrated ability to show empathy and sympathy through spoken and written words.

6. Responsible and reliable.

7. Good organization skills.

8. Demonstrates knowledge of CQI process.

9. Understands family dynamics and works effectively within various types of family systems.

10. Excellent interpersonal skills.

Tufts Medicine is a leading integrated health system bringing together the best of academic and community healthcare to deliver exceptional, connected and accessible care experiences to consumers across Massachusetts. Comprised of Tufts Medical Center, Lowell General Hospital, MelroseWakefield Hospital, Lawrence Memorial Hospital of Medford, Care at Home - an expansive home care network, and large integrated physician network. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity and inclusion at Tufts Medicine. Tufts Medicine does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, national origin, gender identity and/or expression, marital status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation by emailing us at careers@tuftsmedicine.org.