Clinical Dietitian

At Houston Methodist, the Clinical Dietitian position is responsible for functioning as an entry-level clinician for the requirements established by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND). This position is responsible for implementing nutritional care according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Nutrition Care Process (NCP) which includes, but not limited to, medical nutrition therapy, nutrition education, monitoring and reassessment of nutrition care plans, recommending consultation of adjunctive services (social services, speech pathology, immediate referral to RN re: pain assessment, etc.)

as indicated, and termination of nutrition interventions as clinically indicated. The Clinical Dietitian position functions as part of the interprofessional team to ensure quality and cost-effective interventions to ensure optimal patient safety, customer service, and optimum patient outcomes. This position works closely with the interprofessional healthcare team to provide inpatient/outpatient care that is integrated and compatible with the patient-focused goals and objectives.

FLSA STATUS Exempt

• Graduate of education program approved by the credentialing body for the required credential(s) indicated below in the Certifications, Licenses and Registrations section.
• Completion of dietetic internship accredited by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

• Completion of supervised practice hours (per Commission on dietetic Registration (CDR) requirements) and/or within a dietetic internship accredited by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

• RD
  - Registered Dietician (CDR) - Commission on Dietetic  certified by Commission on Dietetic Registration, by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and
• LD
  - License Dietitian, State Licensure
  - Texas Department of Licensing and  by Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation or obtain licensure within 60 days

Preferred

• BLS
  - Basic Life Support or Instructor (AHA)

• Uniform:
  No
• Scrubs:
  Yes
• Business professional:
  Yes
• Other (department approved):
  Yes

Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. Disaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call
  * No

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

• Functions as a collaborative interprofessional team member by participating in care coordination rounds. Seeks guidance from others and collaborates with all members of the interprofessional care team by actively communicating and reporting pertinent patient care information and data in a comprehensive manner.
• Uses therapeutic communication, which includes active listening and teaching, to establish a relationship with patients, families and interprofessional health care team to collaborate on the plan of care. Communicates regular updates to management, nursing, physicians, and other staff as needed to care for patients.
• Contributes towards improvement of department scores for employee engagement, i.e. peer-to-peer accountability.

• Implements nutritional care according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Nutrition Care Process (NCP) which includes, but not limited to, medical nutrition therapy, nutrition education, monitoring and reassessment of nutrition care plans, recommending consultation of adjunctive services (social services, speech pathology, immediate referral to RN re: pain assessment, etc.) as indicated, and termination of nutrition interventions as clinically indicated.
• Performs Nutrition Focused Physical Assessment (NFPA) as indicated, based on NFPA findings, identifying patients with malnutrition, degree of malnutrition and whether present on admission or hospital acquired. Collaborates with health care team to document correct degree of malnutrition in electronic medical record (EMR) to ensure adequate intervention for positive outcomes.
• Contributes towards improvement of department score for patient satisfaction, through peer-to-peer accountability to service standards.

• Ensures continuity of care by completing quality monitors. Identifies and documents evaluation of outcomes by completing test trays of various diets to ensure quality, consistency and accuracy of meals provided.
• Provides care to patients and coordinates care with the interprofessional team. Manages usual patient…