Registered Dietitian

1. Manages department operations effectively and efficiently.

• Follows department procedures to ensure consistent and accurate processing.
• Works with other departments in providing services and resources.
• Participates in setting and achieving department goals and objectives.
• Identifies evidence base research to keep the program and policies current with industry standards.

2. Ensures nutrition services are provided in a safe, effective, and high-quality manner in accordance with the patient’s medical care plan and attending physician’s medical orders.

• Ensures accuracy of public information materials and activities.
• Reviews clinical record audits in a timely manner. Reports record audit results and may recommend actions to the department director.
• Develop, implement and evaluate individualized client care plans per policy.
• Documents all services in accordance with legal aspects and demonstrates appropriateness of all services.
• Nutrition care planning process is utilized in the provision of services including the assessment of needs; the development of nutrition diagnosis; patient-oriented goals; and individualized plan of care; and implementation of the plan of care; and the evaluations of response to services.

3. Promotes and encourages effective communication.

• Demonstrates effective communication skills to coordinate services with all members of the healthcare team.
• Exhibits positive conflict resolution.
• Utilizes effective decision-making and problem-solving skills.
• Participates in staff meetings, committee meetings and community activities showing efforts to promote communication and coordination of patient needs and concerns.
• Outlines and maintains clear lines of authority/communication.
• Cooperates with changes in policy/procedure in a positive manner. Maintains lines of authority/communication. Coordinates and cooperates with all local, state, and federal agencies.
• Coordinates with all local, state, and federal agencies as needed.
• Communicates with medical community and other community agency/resources on a regular, ongoing basis.
• Develops and provides community education related to nutrition, meal planning, diabetes and other topics.

4. Exhibits professional leadership attributes.

• Participates in performance improvement activities.
• Guides, directs, and delegates duties and responsibilities showing cooperation with others in the delivery of care.
• Demonstrates positive attitude and high morale by having a constructive attitude, good time management, and team building activities.
• Acts as a positive role model to promote team building.

5. Maintains compliance with all state and federal rules and regulations.

• Satisfactory state/federal survey reports will be maintained.
• Complies with infection control safety measures with instruction of same to patient and other staff.
• Participates in programs to maintain skill levels and perform new functions.
• Attends continuing education programs ensuring consistency with career objectives/needs.
• Reviews current professional literature and utilizes such to develop skills and performance.

6. Adheres to SMC policies and procedures.

• Maintains good attendance record and minimal overtime.
• Arrives at work on time and reports absences in accordance with agency policy.
• Adheres to agency dress code and is conscientious about personal hygiene.
• Maintains confidentiality of all patients, agency and co-worker information.
• Complies with all safety, fire, and infection control regulations.
• Maintains continuing education requirements by attending mandatory in-services and staff meetings as required.

7. Provides consultation to the hospital dietary staff and Long-Term Care programs.

• Develops short- and long-term goals and objectives in consultation with administration and consistent with hospital philosophy.
• Serves as a resource for long term care nutrition functions and activities to achieve objectives and comply with national, state and voluntary regulatory requirements.
• Establishes patient care standards and standards of nutrition practice.
• Establishes and implements policies and procedures for provision of quality nutrition care.
• Establishes and evaluates standards of nutrition performance to measure, evaluate, and enhance resident care and resident safety.
• Established quality improvement indicators, monitors outcomes & implements change processes to ensure quality patient/ resident care.
• Keeps Administrator informed of nutrition activities, needs, and problems.

8. Performs other duties as assigned.