Registered Dietitian

Position Summary: Evaluate all phases of Dietary services in collaboration with the Dietary Services Manager across the full spectrum of care provided at North Valley Hospital District. This includes acute care, extended care, and outpatient service. Conducts nutritional assessment, proposes nutrition interventions, and provides follow-up to ensure the nutritional needs of all patients and residents are met. Works with interdisciplinary teams to establish care plans for those nutritionally at risk. Collects and reports on data at quality meetings.

Position Responsibilities:

Assessment and Evaluation:

• Conduct nutritional assessments for patients to understand their dietary needs and health conditions.
• Evaluate patients' medical histories and lifestyle to provide personalized nutrition advice.

Nutritional Counseling:

• Provide individualized dietary counseling to patients/residents with specific health conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, or obesity.
• Educate patients and care providers on proper nutrition, healthy eating habits, and lifestyle changes.

Meal Planning:

• Develop customized meal plans that align with patients' dietary requirements and treatment goals.
• Collaborate with other healthcare professionals to integrate nutritional plans into patient/resident care.

Monitoring and Follow-Up:

• Monitor patient/resident progress and make adjustments to nutrition plans as needed.
• Conduct follow-up sessions to track adherence to dietary recommendations and address any concerns or challenges.

Collaboration with Healthcare Team:

• Work closely with physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to coordinate patient/resident care.
• Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings to discuss and plan comprehensive patient treatment.
• Prepares and interprets monthly meal monitors and monitors weekly weights in the long-term care setting.
• Prepares reports as needed.
• Participates on working committees to assist with quality audits and projects, establish work and communication flow, and support continuous quality improvement at all levels of nutritional service

Education and Outreach:

• Conduct educational programs and workshops on nutrition and healthy living.
• Engage in community outreach activities to promote awareness of the importance of nutrition in health.

Documentation and Record-Keeping:

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of patient assessments, interventions, and progress.
• Ensure compliance with relevant healthcare regulations and documentation standards including medical record software systems.

Stay Informed:

• Stay updated on the latest research and developments in the field of nutrition and dietetics.
• Attend continuing education programs to enhance knowledge and skills.

Organization’s expectations of Employee:

• Represents North Valley Hospital and facilities positively and professionally by exemplifying the vision, mission, values, and goals of North Valley Hospital.
• Maintains attendance by working the hours of the position. Follows policies and procedures regarding attendance, vacation, holidays, sick leave, and leaves of absence.
• Uses the timekeeping applications efficiently and accurately.
• Adheres to dress code; appearance is neat and clean; wears name badge while on duty
• Uses good customer service skills by relating to staff/healthcare providers, patients/residents, customers, and the general public courteously and diplomatically under all circumstances.
• Compliance with all organizational policies and procedures.
• Participate in CQI/QAPI activities, NVHD Performance Improvement Initiatives, and Disaster Preparedness education/exercises, and complete duties as assigned in case of emergencies/ICS stand-up.
• Completes mandatory training in a timely manner.
• Demonstrates the ability to make decisions, take appropriate action, and follow tasks through to completion.
• Effectively collaborates with peers and team members, using tactful, diplomatic communication techniques in potentially sensitive or emotionally charged situations.
• Demonstrates leadership responsibility and skills, including planning and completing duties with minimal direction from the supervisor when appropriate.
• Performs other duties as assigned, provided skills, abilities, and qualifications are appropriate and sufficient training is provided.

Physical Demands: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Physical demands: While performing duties of the job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; must have speech, vision, smell, touch and hearing corrected to normal range. The employee must frequently lift/push/pull up to 25 pounds and up to 50 pounds occasionally. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Mental requirements: Must be able to apply common sense to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagrammatic form; must be able to add, subtract, multiply, and divide all units of measure; must be able to read, write, and speak clearly.
• Work environment: Works inside in close working quarters with co-workers. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• Exposures: Muscular strain, body fluids, behavior of clients/patients/residents, infectious material, chemicals/cleaning solutions, potential allergens such as plants/flowers, and noxious odors.

Role Qualifications:

• Active registration by the Commission on Dietetic Registration and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
• Certification/Licensure as required by Washington State of Practice.
• One year of experience in a clinical and/or long-term care setting is preferred.
• Must possess knowledge of nutrition and diet in healthy and disease states and have knowledge of quantity cooking and dietary service management in acute and long-term care.

Essential Skills and Experience:

• Demonstrated understanding of and the ability to abide by the current AND/CDR Code of Ethics
• Demonstrated ability to relate courteously and diplomatically to patients, providers, residents, staff, and the public under all circumstances.
• Demonstrated ability to be flexible and organized, make appropriate and timely decisions, and complete tasks.
• Exceptional customer service skills.
• The ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.
• Knowledge of the Nutrition Care process and ability to apply all its steps, including completing the nutritional assessment, determining the nutritional diagnosis, developing and implementing nutrition intervention, and monitoring and evaluating progress.
• Knowledge of food services processes and workflow.

Valued but not required: Ability to communicate in Spanish and/or additional languages

Join the dedicated team at North Valley Hospital District (NVHD) and make a difference in the heart of the stunning Okanogan Valley! We are deeply committed to delivering exceptional, patient-centered care that supports the health and well-being of our vibrant community.

Nestled in a region renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty, endless outdoor recreation opportunities, and close-knit community spirit, NVHD offers the perfect blend of professional fulfillment and quality of life. Whether hiking scenic trails, exploring nearby lakes, or simply enjoying the peaceful surroundings, our location is as enriching as our work.

If you’re passionate about making a meaningful impact, value collaboration, and thrive in a mission-driven organization, NVHD is the place for you. Join us in providing compassionate care to those who call this extraordinary region home!