The essential functions listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification. They are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.
Employees must abide by all Joint Commission Requirements including but not limited to sensitivity to cultural diversity, patient care, patient rights and ethical treatment, safety and security of physical environments, emergency management, teamwork, respect for others, participation in ongoing education and training, communication and adherence to safety and quality programs, sustaining compliance with National Patient Safety Goals, and licensure and health screenings.
Must perform all duties and responsibilities in accordance with the hospital’s policies and procedures, including its Service Standards and its Code of Conduct.
•Conducts a comprehensive nutrition assessment using anthropometric, medical/clinical, biochemical, radiologic, diet history, and physical examination data for patients identified at nutritional risk. Obtains timely and appropriate data and analyzes/interprets data based on institution-specific and evidence-based standards.
•Provides patient care by assessing nutrition and hydration status, determining nutrition needs, developing and revising care plan to include appropriate interventions that consider the varied needs of age-specific populations as well as cultural, religious, and ethnic concerns.
•Documents relevant, accurate, and timely information performed in steps in the Nutrition Care Process in the patient’s medical record or electronic medical record. Documents all aspects of the patient care in accordance with department’s nutrition practice guidelines and professional standards.
•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 and evidence from evidence- based nutrition practice guidelines.
•Assesses educational needs and provides nutrition counseling to individuals, patients, clients, care givers and/or groups based on individual needs, including nutrient requirements, knowledge and abilities, and medical, economic, and social situation.
•Utilizes monitoring and evaluation techniques that consider the varied needs of age-specific populations as well as cultural, religious, and ethnic concerns.
•Measures outcomes through selecting outcome indicators that are relevant to the nutrition diagnosis or signs or symptoms, nutrition goals, medical diagnosis, and outcomes and quality management goals and use of standardized indicators. Evaluates the effectiveness and measures progress toward outcomes of nutrition interventions.
•Evaluates need for and appropriateness of enteral nutrition support and recommends suitable mode of feeding including route and site selection as applicable to the clinician’s skills.
•Determines when a problem requires consultation with or referral to another provider. As needed, delegates or coordinates nutrition plan of care with other healthcare professionals, including coordinating care with other dietitian(s) across the continuity of care spectrum.
•Communicates and influences treatment interventions determined by the medical team through interdisciplinary meetings, medical conferences, and nutrition-related in-services.
•Serves as a nutrition educator for students, medical staff, health professionals, and/or general public. Assists in developing and revising patient education materials, clinical forms, and protocols.
•Ensures that care delivered to each patient is in accordance with the state form of dietetics regulation, licensing, certification, or registration. Complies with federal requirements set forth under the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Conditions of Participation (COP) in order to receive Medicare/Medicaid payment. Ensures state and local certifications for health, safety, and quality standards are met.
Specific to Clinical Dietitian II Role
•Displays comprehensive knowledge and application of nutrition services and medical nutrition therapy in specialty area within pediatrics such as GI, endocrinology, cardiology, pulmonology, nephrology, neurology.
•Mentors/trains Clinical Dietitians I and serves as a mentor and/or resource to other practitioners.
•Ongoing maintenance of specialty certification required. For specialty certifications not requiring recertification, continued competency in specialty area must be evident.
•Participates in continuous quality assessment and improvement activities. Participates in departmental and interdisciplinary meetings, task forces, and projects as assigned. Performs key role in at least one performance improvement initiative or outcome-based project annually and creates/revises two nutrition protocols/patient education tools annually.
• Provides diabetes self-management education, support, and training to patients with new-onset diabetes in the hospital and their caregivers.
• Recommends, as appropriate, diabetes management supplies, tools, and further education for both the family and patient.
• Facilitate patient and family training on insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors.
• Monitors patient’s diabetes behavioral goals and outcomes; communicate and document patient progress for the healthcare team.
• Oversees inpatient care with hospital staff regarding diabetes management and education, including nursing staff, registered dietitians, pharmacy services, child life services, and case management.
• Recommends adjustments in patient’s diabetes medication dosing by analyzing blood glucose downloads under general supervision of physicians.
• Performs other duties as assigned.