Facility: Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center

Job Summary:

Practices as a member of the interdisciplinary health care team responsible for the provision of medical nutrition therapy. Fosters continuity of the Nutrition Care Process across all phases of the continuum of care as recommended by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Performs nutrition assessment for patients identified to be at nutrition risk based on criteria outlined by the hospital and best practice standards. Calculates metabolic nutrient requirements according to the age and disease specific needs of patients. Performs nutrition focused physical exam to further evaluate risk of malnutrition as indicated. Develops a nutrition diagnosis as appropriate and consistent with the Nutrition Care Process. Creates and implements a nutrition intervention and care plan for all patients with a nutrition diagnosis. Continuously evaluates and monitors the effectiveness and outcomes of medical nutrition therapy intervention. Provides nutrition education to patients, family, and/or members of the health care team on recommended nutrition intervention(s) to accomplish nutrition goals; which may include, but is not limited to any of the following topics: specialized diet, enteral/oral medical nutrition supplements, food selections, eating behaviors, and community nutrition resources. Manages the delivery of nutrition care services according to the site of care assigned. Will act as lead on various quality and performance improvement initiatives and projects. Expected to act as a staff dietitian on one patient floor and one critical care unit. Mentors staff dietitians, diet technicians, and dietetic interns. Assists leadership with staff development in the hiring, training, and competency review process such as chart audits, productivity logs, and evaluations. Assists leadership with program development by participating in policy/procedure revisions, serving on various hospital committees, attending interdisciplinary meetings, and researching various practice topics as needed. Serves as an EPIC cyber star and proficient in CBORD Nutrition Service Suite food service system. Actively assesses, evaluates and maintains professional development and competencies outlined in the position description.

Core Responsibilities and Essential Functions:

Develops, implements, and promotes quality services based on client expectation and needs.
• Collaborates with patient and/or family member, and health care team to assess nutrition and education needs of patients. • Provides services and establishes goals based on the identified needs of patients and/or family members. • Applies knowledge and skills in developing, implementing and maintaining nutrition care plans • Continuously evaluates nutrition care processes and patient outcomes and implements quality practice by following system policies, procedures, and evidenced based research • Provides care according to organizational ethics, licensure and Standards of Professional Practice for Dietetics Professionals • Applies Joint Commission and/or regulatory standards in the provision of nutrition care • Utilized patient experience and empathy skills when interacting with patients and family members • Participates in multidisciplinary rounds, appropriate committees, and team member huddles 20% Locates, reviews, and utilizes best practice research findings for their application in optimally managing a disease or condition and improving patient outcomes.
• Bases clinical practice on sound scientific principles, current research and theory • Shares and reports research and patient outcomes utilizing various media • Demonstrates knowledge related to clinical practice. • Communicates sound scientific principles, research, and theory to health care team members and dietetic interns in optimally managing patients' care • Shares knowledge and expertise with dietetic interns, patients, family members and health care team members • Documents understanding of relevant information and results of communication with dietetic interns/technicians/patients/families and healthcare team members • Contributes to the development of new knowledge and services • Seeks out information effectively and independently to provide effective services 25% Systematically evaluates the quality and effectiveness of practice and revises practice as needed to incorporate results of evaluation.
• Participates in and identifies performance improvement criteria for nutrition care by completing peer chart audits as assigned and reviewing with their nutrition leader • Continuously evaluates and refines service based on measurable outcomes by keeping a productivity log • Identifies expected outcomes of patient care • Acts as lead on various quality and performance improvement initiatives and projects • Mentors staff dietitians, diet technicians, and dietetic interns • Assists leadership with program development by participating in policy/procedure revisions, serving on various hospital committees, attending interdisciplinary meetings, and researching various practice topics as needed • Participates in the interviewing process to assist with filling positions with quality team members 35% Provide medical nutrition therapy according to system policy and A.N.D. Nutrition Care Process practice standards
• Expected to act as a staff dietitian on one patient floor and one critical care unit • Utilizes the Nutrition Care Process and WellStar Nutrition Care Policies when assessing patients • Responsible for nutrition screen, assessment, diagnosis, intervention, and monitoring/evaluation of identified at risk patients • Apply psycho-social, age appropriate, evidence-based nutrition care • Document all patient encounters in the health care record in accordance with hospital and department policies and procedures • Identify, monitor, and evaluate enteral nutrition support regimens. Manage enteral nutrition support under the supervision of medical staff • Develop and implements transitional feeding plans • Perform Nutrition Focused Physical Exams to evaluate malnutrition severity as appropriate • Assess patient’s learning needs, barriers to learning, preferred learning styles and educational level and provides nutrition education accordingly • Utilizes community resources through the continuum of care to foster positive patient outcomes • Serves as an EPIC cyber star and proficient in CBORD Nutrition Service Suite food service system 15% Engages in lifelong self-development to improve knowledge and skills that promote continued competence.
• Conducts yearly self-assessment to identify professional strengths and weaknesses • Identifies needs for professional development and mentors dietetic interns • Documents professional development activities according to system policies • Engage in continuous learning opportunities to further develop skills and capabilities in application technical and functional areas 5%

Required Minimum Education:

from an accredited institution with a major in nutrition/dietetics.
Completion of a supervised practice didactic program accredited by the Accreditation Counsel for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).
specialization certification from an accredited institution in nutrition related field.

Required Minimum License(s) and Certification(s):
All certifications are required upon hire unless otherwise stated.

• Lic Dietician
• Registered Dietician
• Basic Life Support or BLS - Instructor

Required Minimum Experience:

3 years’ experience as a Registered Dietitian in clinical setting.
Knowledge of malnutrition assessment including performance of nutrition focused physical exam

Required Minimum Skills:

Excellent interpersonal, customer service, verbal and written communication skills.
Experience with electronic medical record charting systems and other software relative to food service systems.
Experience with Microsoft Office programs, power point, excel spread sheets, etc.
Capable of preparing and providing presentations to various disciplines.
Knowledge of best practices in clinical nutrition and the dietetics profession.
Experience with the Nutrition Care Process and its use in complex cases in the clinical setting.
Applies critical thinking skills when recommending nutrition interventions to patients with multiple comorbidities and/or special needs including management of enteral nutrition.
Ability to maintain effective relationships with other healthcare professionals in sharing nutrition knowledge and expertise.
Ability to work with patient interests and health in mind
Aptitude to locate and analyze research for its use in various quality and performance improvement initiatives.
Demonstrates the capacity to take directives from leadership and distribute accurately to peers and mentees.