Clinical Dietitian

Qualifications:          RD Credentialing and active status through an                                              accredited college or university

Education:                 Bachelor's degree in food and nutrition, dietetics, nutritional sciences, or human nutrition. Completion of an accredited dietetic internship of at least 900 hours.

Patient Care

• Collects, analyzes, and summarizes relevant data from the patient and/or medical record, including:

Ø  Anthropometric and laboratory information

Ø  Appetite

Ø  Diet orders

Ø  Nutrition history

Ø  Medications

Ø  Medical concerns, Diagnosis

·         Interprets lab values and estimates nutrient requirements based on:

Ø  Age

Ø  Sex

Ø  Medical condition

Ø  Level of activity

·         Analyzes subjective and objective information to define nutrition problems and goals

·         Completes comprehensive patient nutritional assessments, addressing      previously identified nutrition-related problems

·         Documents all aspects of patient nutritional services in patient medical       record, following facility/department policy guidelines and governing body   standards

·         Evaluates appropriateness of enteral nutritional support, including energy,             protein, and adequacy of fluid provisions, making necessary          recommendations in a timely and professional manner

·         Conducts patient education with the patient and family as needed, and       evaluates effectiveness of counseling based on objective information

·         Evaluates the diet prescription relative to diagnosis and recommends          changes as appropriate

Leadership Tasks

• Updates and/or develops nutritional information relevant to current practice theory (e.g., guidelines for care, diet manual revisions, and reference materials)
• Assists in review and revision of policies and procedures relative to the nutrition care process, as directed by supervisor
• Assists director in performance improvement initiative, as requested
• Revises and creates educational materials, as necessary
• Continually studies emerging trends and new research related to the practice of dietetics
• Regularly educates the diet Food Service Workers on pertinent topics related to human nutrition
• Communicates changes and additions in nourishment provisions, patient food allergies and patient food preferences to Food Services Workers and Food Service Director
• Attends all mandatory in-services and staff meetings
• Complete responsibilities and directions given by the Administrator