Clinical Dietitian

Purpose of Position
Provides complete nutrition care and education to all inpatients, including high priority and at-risk inpatients, and/or responsible family members at Cape Cod Hospital. Helps with outpatient and community programs as needed.

Description
INPATIENT:
1.Performs nutritional assessments and nutrition screens, which are appropriate and timely per established policies and procedures.
2.Develops nutrition care plans and monitors patient response to care plan developed, utilizing the Nutrition Care Process and provides discharge diet instructions.
3. Educates patients and/or responsible family members in physician ordered diet modifications using department approved educational materials and a language interpreter when necessary.
4.Consults with Clinical Nutrition Manager and/or with other Dietitians within the department regarding care plans for patients with complex needs.
5.Makes appropriate recommendations to prescribing physician for necessary changes in diet orders, based on results of nutritional assessment.
6.Documents provided medical nutrition therapy and education in the patient's medical record, discharge/departmental files.
7.Upholds departmental and inter-departmental protocols regarding delivery of medical nutrition therapy.
8. Acts as a professional resource person for non-professional and non-clinical employees within the department.
9. Communicates interdepartmentally with other health care professionals, as well as with community health agencies.
10. Participates in reviewing, updating and reformulating the hospital's diet manual and educational materials.
11. Participates in Performance Improvement activities and tracks clinical productivity.
12. Acts as a preceptor for nutrition students and dietetic interns.
13. Consistently provides service excellence to all patients, family members, visitors, volunteers and co-workers.
14. Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

OUTPATIENT (on a as needed basis):
1. Provide nutritional counseling services to patients and families in coordination with cardiac rehabilitation protocols and concepts.
a. Provides educational classes on various aspects of the cardiac diet, including diet modification to reduce cardiovascular risk, maintain dietary restrictions, and achieve ideal weight and provide appropriate nutrition education materials.
b. Completes comprehensive nutritional analysis.
c. Recommends referrals for further instructions for patient and family members as necessary.
d. Provides one on one private consultation with the patient and family when warranted for diet modification strategies as needed.
e. Assists program staff in monitoring patient progress toward nutritional goals.
2. Provides necessary nutrition involvement in other Cape Cod Hospital outpatient and community programs as necessary and appropriate.
3. Consistently provides service excellence to all patients, family members, visitors and co-workers.
4. Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications
• Ability to read, write and communication in English.
• Completion of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited undergraduate college program.
• Completion of a supervised practice program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) or approved by the Board; and
• For Clinical Dietitians hired on and after January 1, 2024, a graduate (Master's) degree will complete the requirements to sit for the CDR exam.
• RD eligible (RDE) upon date of hire.
• Passage of the CDR exam within six (6) months of hire required.
• Licensure within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts within six (6) months of hire required.
• Knowledge in all aspects of medical nutrition therapy.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to adapt to a fast-paced environment and prioritize tasks efficiently.
• Minimum one (1) year hospital or clinical experience preferred.