Registered Dietitian

Position Summary

A Registered Dietitian is responsible for managing Medical Nutrition Therapy for all residents in the facility. Is a liaison between the dietary department and nursing services. Organizes and maintains dietary information to assess the clinical needs of the residents.

General Purpose

The general purpose of the Registered Dietitian is to oversee all resident nutritional care and manage the day-to-day documentation, resident visits, assist with menu development and implement resident care plans in conjunction with the Interdisciplinary Team.

Role Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Position Responsibilities

Specific responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Cooperates and communicates with Administration, Nursing Services and other disciplines in all procedures that are multi-disciplinary.

• Schedules regular in-service programs for staff development.

• Keeps accurate records and maintains clinical work loads.

• Works both morning and evening shifts as needed.

• Participates in committees inclusive of Patient Care, Infection Control and others as assigned.

• Insures that standards for the following agencies are maintained and adhered to: facility standards, Federal standards, State Department of Health standards, County Department of Health standards and any other applicable regulatory agency standards.

• Develops internal quality assurance system to accurately measure departmental compliance and dining room meal assessment with corrective action plans.

• Plans menus with Director of Dining Services for regular and therapeutic diets.

• Consults with Physician and other health care personnel to determine nutritional needs and diet restrictions.

• Monitors meals served for conformance to prescribed diets and for standards of palatability and appearance.

• Provides nutritional education to residents and their families.

• Visits upon admission to complete the Nutritional Assessment, as well as the nutrition component of the MDS form as permitted by the local Department of Health.

• Routinely visits residents to discuss meal satisfaction and assess dietary compliance. These visits may include family discussions.

• Identifies through assessment and observation nutritional concerns on an annual, quarterly, or consult basis. Will determine and implement appropriate interventions.

• Will coordinate and execute the Nutritional-at-Risk tracking program.

• Consults routinely with the CHR Nutrition Services Specialists to assure that optimal nutritional levels are met, modified diets are served accurately/adequately and quality standards are maintained.

• Attends patient care conferences and contributes as the nutritional liaison.

• Reviews menu program with the consulting dietician and implements appropriate changes for the facility clientele.

• Develops implements and maintains appropriate policies and procedures.

• Conduct and calculate calorie counts on appropriate residents.

• Develops implements and maintains a system to insure that resident preferences are honored to the greatest degree possible within the limitations of the department.

• Understands the functionality of Meal Metrics and routinely inputs data.

• Understands the functionality of Point Click Care and routinely inputs data, interprets reports and documents as necessary.

• Works with CHR Regional Nutrition Specialists and consults with them as necessary.

• Works occasional Manager on Duty hours on the weekend, and occasional Manager on Duty hours in the evenings as needed.

• Other duties as assigned by Administrator.

Essential Knowledge, Skills and Ability

Education/Certifications/Experience

• EDUCATION: B.S in Dietetics/Foodservice preferred OR see below

• CERTIFICATION: Registered, Licensed, Dietitian and/or Master’s Degree in a Nutrition Related Field.

• EXPERIENCE: 1 year of experience as a Registered/Licensed Dietitian in Long Term Care