Licensed Registered Dietitian

FUNCTION:

 To complete nutrition assessments, individualized plan of care, education, counseling, and nutrition interventions in the management of nutritional status of residents as a consulting dietitian representing CJL Consulting, Inc.

 This position is responsible for supporting, understanding, interpreting, and implementing the philosophy and policies of the organizations/clients and CJL.

 Assists the facility in obtaining results in the following area(s): quality management, resident satisfaction, business management, teamwork, and culture.

 REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES:

1.       Resident Care

A.      Nutrition Assessment

i.       Conducts nutrition assessments to assess for malnutrition and “at-risk” for malnutrition.

ii.        Reviews dietary intake for adequacy and for factors that affect health conditions and nutritional risk.

iii.       Utilizes medical history, laboratory data, drug profile, anthropometric measurements, and diet history to evaluate nutritional status.

iv.     Performs nutrition focused physical exam (NFPE) during assessments on patients to determine risk and/or degree of malnutrition when indicated.

v.        Evaluates mental status, psychosocial, functional, and behavioral factors that affect nutritional status.

vi.      Assesses cultural, ethnic, and religious needs as it relates to food and care.

vii.     Develops individualized plans of care.

viii.  Uses the Nutrition Care Process in assessment, diagnosis, intervention, and monitoring and evaluating nutritional status and progress towards goals.

ix.     Coordinates with the Dietary Manager and Diet Tech in completing Nutritional Assessments

B.      Nutrition Diagnosis

i.       Finds patterns and relationships among the data and possible causes for the nutrition problem.

ii.      Prioritizes the relative importance of nutrition problems for resident health, recovery from illness, management of chronic disease, or disease prevention.

iii.      Documents the nutrition diagnostic statement in PES (problem, etiology, and signs/symptom) and provides supporting evidence within the assessment and progress notes.

C.      Nutrition Intervention

i.       Formulates and determines a plan of action that is focused on the etiology of the problem and known to be effective based on best current knowledge of evidence from Evidence-Based Nutrition Practice Guidelines.

ii.     Provide recommendations interventions as needed and indicated.

iii.    Assesses educational needs and provides nutrition counseling based on individual needs, including nutrient requirements, knowledge and abilities.

iv.   Identifies services that can be completed by the dietetic technician if applicable to area of practice for the RD.

v.     Coordinates nutrition plan of care with other healthcare professionals.

vi.   Implements nutrition interventions including communicating the plan of nutrition care to the resident and/or family, and interdisciplinary team.

D.      Nutrition Monitoring and Evaluation

i.       Monitors progress of all residents, including but not limited to:  monthly weights, lab values, intake, tube feeds, pressure ulcers, dialysis, and other high risk factors and documents high risk notes.

ii.     Measures outcomes through selecting outcome indicators relevant to the nutrition diagnosis.

iii.    Evaluates the effectiveness and measures progress toward outcomes of nutrition interventions.

iv.   Evaluates outcomes by comparing current findings with previous status, intervention goals, and/or reference standards.

v.     Runs the Nutrition at Risk Meetings (NAR) in collaboration with the Interdisciplinary Team.  Documents NAR notes.

2.       Compliance

A.      Demonstrates accountability for proper use of resident’s protected health information imposed by regulatory requirements of the health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) of 1996.

B.      Ensures that care delivered to each resident is in accordance with the state board of dietetics regulations, licensing, certification, or registration.

C.      Assists in achieving compliance with quality indicators to continuously improve the quality of care to the organization’s performance improvement.

D.      Complies with federal requirements set forth under the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

E.      The RDN uses the Scope of Dietetics Practice Framework (SODPF) to determine scope of practice, established Standards of Practice and Professional Performance (SOP/SOPP) in nutrition care and practice-specfic dietetics, and as available, evidence-based practice protocols/nutrition practice guidelines to help determine nutrition interventions.

F.      Meet contract hours of accounts assigned with all nutritional services outlined within contract for both Clinical Nutrition and Dietary Manager Support

G.     Participate with biweekly operation calls and attends scheduled monthly and/or quarterly meetings

H.      Provides support during State Surveys (complaints, annuals)

4.       Performance Improvement

A.      Uses trends in nutrition intervention and audits to implement change to improve personal and organizational performance.

B.      Participates in and/or initiates continuous quality improvement activities for nutrition service line.

C.      Conducts in-services and education presentations to the organization’s staff.

D.      Supports and promotes the organization’s infection control, safety, risk management, and customer/guest relations programs.

E.      Completes monthly quality assurance reports, conducts quarterly audits and reports to include but not limited to: Tray Card, Sanitation, Tube Feed, Supplement Use, Sanitation, Diet Orders, Tray Line, Meal Audit, Dietary Assessment, Wound Intervention, Dietary Recommendation

5.       Professional Development

A.      Acts as a resource for the medical staff and IDT on the nutritional management of residents.

B.      Interprets and presents current clinical knowledge, standards of care, and research to improve resident care and the nutrition service line.

C.      Develops and maintains nutrition practice knowledge, RDN registration, and continuing education requirements.

D.      Develops and implements an individualized portfolio plan for professional growth and development including participation in professional organizations and activities, workshops, seminars, and staff development programs.

E.      Consults with medical/clinical staff concerning staff learning opportunities and works with them to maximize clinical staff comfort level and competencies in the care of patients with nutrition related diseases.

 MACHINES, EQUIPMENT AND WORK AIDS:

 Calculator, Personal Computer (Word/Excel/PowerPoint)

 WORK TRAITS:

 Aptitudes:

1.  Ability to communicate clearly and concisely orally and in writing.

2.  Ability to utilize computer skills effectively and creatively in QAPI reporting.

3.  Ability to teach adults and incorporate ethnic needs of patients.

4.  Fosters an environment of cooperation, collaboration and teamwork.

5.  Ability to relate to various levels within the Facility’s structure.

Temperaments:

1.  Ability to work independently in an unstructured environment.

2.  Ability to motivate other interdisciplinary team members.

3.  Ability to be flexible and adaptable at the unit and corporate level.

4.  Ability to take initiative.

5.  Ability to gain support and input from all team members.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS:

 1.  Desk duties, including computer keyboard operation.

2.  Light physical work including ability to perform patient physical assessments.

3.  Talking and listening to effectively educate patients and staff.

4.  Visual acuity to prepare and read computer reports, documentation and educational materials.

5.  Audio acuity to listen effectively and accurately.

Note: Reasonable accommodations will be made as necessary if an individual cannot meet the above requirements.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

 1.       Registered Dietitian as per Commission on Dietetic Registration

2.       Dietitian State licensure (LDN) in the designated state of work

3.   One year experience in clinical nutrition as a registered dietitian (preferred)

4.   Computer experience preferred (experience with google drive)

5.   Must be able to travel to buildings that are designated to the employee to provide on-site services per company policy