Clinical Dietitian (Per Diem)

POSITION SPECIFICS

Title: Clinical Dietitian
FTE: Per Diem
Schedule: Day shifts, 8:00AM - 4:30PM
Holiday Rotation: None
Weekend Rotation: None
On Call Requirements: None

POSITION SUMMARY
Within the scope of a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, this position uses evidence-based practices in the design, coordination and implementation of optimal nutrition care and education of patients, clients, family members, and/ or caregivers; as well as community members, and SPH medical and other staff.

POSITION TECHNICAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Patient Care Functions:

1. Update SPH’s nutrition care policies to provide high quality nutrition care, taking into account the patient's/client’s individual nutritional needs and values, as well as the regulatory requirements, accrediting body standards, WI administrative codes, and CMS standards in coordination with leadership of the nutrition department.
2. Maintain high level of competency and professional development related to nutrition trends, research, policy, certifications, and standards of practice to provide the highest level of evidence-based care.
3. Conduct nutritional assessments when indicated by patient’s condition, and in compliance with SPH standards as well as external regulatory requirements.
4. Use the Nutrition Care Process as recommended by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) to ensure appropriate nutrition-related care is provided to patients.
   1. Assessment – Review all factors that impact patients’ nutritional status and risk. Appropriate factors include, but are not limited to, medical conditions, medications, psychosocial factors, nutrition focused physical exams (NFPE), etc.
   2. Diagnosis – Correctly identify cause of nutritional problem, and document appropriately in PES statement format.
   3. Intervention – Utilize evidence-based nutrition practice guidelines to provide specialized nutrition care/support as appropriate. Provide education to patients and families as needed.  Coordinate interventions with inter-disciplinary team.  Participate in multidisciplinary rounds and meetings.
   4. Monitoring and Evaluation – Establish methods of monitoring and evaluation that align with patient’s nutrition needs, as well as cultural and religious factors. Measure and evaluate outcomes, adjust nutritional plan of care appropriately.
5. Provide Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT), counseling and/or education to patients, family members, and/or caregivers based on assessment of individual learning needs (in-patient and outpatient) or best practice guidelines (e.g., Diabetic Group classes).
   1. Provide both inpatient and outpatient dietitian services as assigned
   2. Provide group education nutrition services (examples include; DSME, pulmonary rehab, cardiac rehab, diabetes prevention, and others as assigned).
6. Collaborate in intra and inter-departmental efforts to improve patient care services provided.
   1. Participate in and/or initiate continuous quality improvement activities
   2. Provide in-service educations to other departments as needed
   3. Develop and revise nutrition-related patient education materials as needed.
   4. Measure productivity and other quality indicators. Benchmark as appropriate.
7. Ensure that fiscal responsibility is exercised in clinical nutrition decisions.  Work in collaboration with Nutrition Services supervisor on department budget variance identification and preparation. 

Community Health Functions:

1. Serve as a community liaison and nutrition content expert to external audiences (e.g., peer groups, community organizations, civic groups, schools).
2. Represent Sauk Prairie Healthcare at community outreach events and health fairs. Participate in community health and wellness activities as assigned.
3. Participate in other meetings, committees, and groups at the department, facility, community, and state/ national professional level such as: the SPH wellness committee, WI Healthy Hospitals Coalition, and AND practice groups.
4. Participate in the development of need-based nutrition services in coordination with community health efforts
5. Publish articles, create educational material, and research/apply for grant opportunities as assigned.

Food Service Management Functions:

1. Maintain and approve an up-to-date diet manual for the facility in coordination with the chief medical officer.
   1. Work with Nutrition Services team members to approve therapeutic diet policies and ensure appropriate administration of therapeutic diets system wide
2. Participate in employee recruitment and retention functions as requested
3. Participate in development of menu and assist with maintaining quality standards for multiple department services (e.g. patient menu, café menu, etc.)
4. Serve as a preceptor; provide learning experiences for new staff and dietetic interns when appropriate.
5. Participate in the development/administration of standardized in-service educations to Nutrition Services team members
6. Serve as interim or acting Nutrition Services Supervisor as requested.
7. Serve as a backup HFAP chapter leader as needed for Nutrition Services.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Education:

• Required: Bachelor’s degree in Dietetics or the equivalent from an accredited school, plus internship. 
• Preferred: Master’s degree desirable

Experience:

• Required: None
• Preferred: 3 to 5 years of experience preferred in clinical setting

Licenses and Registrations:

• Required: None
• Preferred: None

Certification(s):

• Required: Certified as a Dietitian with the State of Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services within 6 months of hire; Certified with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), the credentialing agency for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) or Registered Dietitian (RD) within 6 months of hire
• Preferred: None

BENEFIT SUMMARY

1. Retirement plan with immediate vesting and employer match
2. Discount membership to our state-of-the-art fitness facility
3. Free parking at facility