Clinical Dietitian PRN

Description Standard Qualifications: Clinical Dietitian Hours: Hours: PRN - minimum 2 weekend shifts a month; available for holidays; a plus not a requirement available during the week Location: Medical City Lewisville Position Summary: To screen and assess nutritional status and provide nutritional care and counseling appropriate for diagnosis for all patient age groups; neonatal (0-28 days), infants (29 days1 year), pediatric (2-12 years), adolescent (13-18 years), adult (19-65 years) and geriatric (66 years +) patients. Completes other projects as assigned by management. Job Duties and Responsibilities: Participates in hospital or departmental performance improvement activities. Perform special assignments as needed/requested. Serves as a clinical resource to department staff, students, volunteers and other departments, and contributes to the teamwork essential to ensuring quality patient care. Takes appropriate measures to ensure safety of patients. Attend staff meetings and in-services. Transport patients safely. Provide care of patients with a variety of medical diagnosis and resulting complications. Participates in hospital or departmental performance improvement activities. Updates log daily. Monitors dates for assessments and follow-ups, lab triggers, nursing initial assessment triggers, and NPO/CL status. Performs clerical duties as needed, such as leaving notes for the other dietitian, and completing charges for consults. Performs nutrition screening within the appropriate time frames. Performs nutritional assessments in a timely manner. Charts assessments in MediTech. Documents recommendations in the Progress Notes in the medical record. Considers MCL, information obtained from the patient and family, current information obtained from the patient and family, current medical status, lab indices, medications, and standards of care in completing assessments and making recommendations. Identifies needs and provides appropriate nutrition counseling for patients and families. Uses appropriate counseling methods and approved education materials. Documents patients comprehension and expected compliance. Completes/initiates nutrition consults/diet instructions and calorie counts within 24 hours of receipt of physician order. Completes initial assessment within 48 hours, MDS forms within 5 days, and follow-ups in a timely manner on the SSCP units. Responds promptly to nursing or patient/family requests for RD intervention. Interacts with other health professionals, i.e. speech therapy, pharmacy, nursing, and physicians in a professional and inter-disciplinary manner to ensure the best care for the patient. Communicates effectively verbally with patients and their families, physicians, and other allied health professionals. Demonstrates ability to appropriately assess the nutritional population as appropriate. Documents tolerance, appropriateness, and response to nutritional support, and makes recommendations. Acts as member of Nutrition Support Team with pharmacist and physician(s). Attends Patient Care Conference once per week and discharge planning meetings twice per week or as assigned or requested by the management, healthcare team or family. Completes projects as requested by Clinical Nutrition Manager or department Director. Adheres to Policy & Procedure Manual. Adheres to HIPPA, JCAHO, HCFA, OBRA, and Title 22 standards. Conducts at least 1 hospital or department in-service per year. Contributes to the departmental goals of patient service and satisfaction. Completes patient satisfaction surveys weekly and turns into Clinical Manager. Provides feedback on nutrition screening and menu correction done by diet clerks to increase competency and to ensure compliance with guidelines. Projects a professional image as a representative of the DFNS and the dietetics profession. Adheres to departmental and Medical City Lewisville policies regarding attendance, punctuality, dress, and safety. Participates in own performance evaluation and identifies learning needs and goals along with Clinical Nutrition Manager during annual review.