Clinical Dietitian Pediatrics

Summary

Under the general supervision of the Senior Clinical Dietitians Specialists and the Clinical Nutrition Director/Supervisor, and in accordance with established policies, procedures, and departmental standards of practice, provides nutritional care to hospital patients throughout their Brown University Health. Interviews patients and/or family members and reviews electronic health records to assess nutritional needs and develop nutrition plans of care. Monitors and evaluates indicators and outcomes data directly related to the nutrition diagnosis, goals, preferences, and intervention strategies to determine progress and whether planned interventions should be continued or revised.

Documents patient progress and updates nutritional plan as necessary in the electronic health record. Directs the activities of support personnel in assigned work area as needed.

• Uses accurate and relevant data and information to identify nutrition‑related problems by assessing current and past information related to personal, medical, family, and psychosocial/social history.
• Assesses anthropometric indicators (e.g., height, weight, BMI, arm circumference), comparing them to reference data and individual patterns and history.
• Assesses laboratory profiles (e.g., acid‑base balance, renal function, endocrine function, inflammatory response, vitamin/mineral profile, lipid profile) and medical tests and procedures (e.g., gastrointestinal study, metabolic rate).
• Obtains, assesses, and reassesses findings from the Nutrition‑focused physical examination (NFPE) for indicators of vitamin, mineral deficiency/toxicity, edema, muscle wasting, subcutaneous fat loss, altered body composition, malnutrition, pressure injuries, oral health, feeding ability, appetite, and affect.
• Obtains food and nutrition‑related history, including food and nutrient intake, food and nutrient administration, medication and diet supplement use, knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes, food security, and readiness to change nutrition or health‑related behaviors.
• Uses reference data and standards to estimate nutrient needs, recommended body weight, BMI, and desired growth patterns.
• Collects data and reviews documentation by the dietetic technician and other health care practitioners, patients, or staff for factors that affect nutrition and health status.
• Uses collected data to identify possible problem areas for determining nutrition diagnosis; re‑evaluates and revises nutrition diagnoses per departmental standards of care.
• Bases intervention/plan of care on best available research/evidence, guidelines, and best practices; documents nutritional care plans on the interdisciplinary plan of care and updates them regularly.
• Participates in the discharge planning process, evaluating the patient’s condition from a nutritional perspective and recommending programs or procedures to enhance readiness for discharge.
• Conducts individual and group patient nutrition education both inpatient and outpatient, preparing patients and families for continued care at home.
• Provides nutrition education through seminars and workshops for physicians, other health care professionals, and professional peer groups.
• Represents Food & Nutrition Services at interdisciplinary meetings.
• Participates in patient satisfaction initiatives and department programs in customer service.
• Participates in department quality improvement programs and financial and productivity measures as requested.
• May be requested to participate in community and media programs.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Food and Nutrition or a related concentration from a U.S. accredited college or university approved by ACEND.
• Completion of an ACEND accredited supervised practice program and passing the national examination for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN) by the Commission of Dietetic Registration (CDR).
• License as a Dietitian/Nutritionist in the state of Rhode Island within three months of hire; proof of application for license to be submitted upon employment.
• Thorough understanding of the application of nutrition principles to human physiology in adult and pediatric disease states, nutrition care…