Clinical Dietitian

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Screens and assesses patients' status for nutritional risk factors per protocol. This may include gathering information on the nutrition history, medical record review, anthropometrics.
• Prepares Nutrition assessment based upon information obtained from history, including recommendation of appropriate diet prescription. Plans nutrition care goals, completes timely follow-up and documentation in the medical record. Develops and implements plan of care based assessment of nutritional needs and available sources, and correlates plan with other healthcare. Evaluates nutritional care and provides follow up continuity of care. Consults with physicians and other health care professionals to determine patient's nutritional needs and diet restrictions.
• Organizes daily tasks to complete needed activities in a timely manner. Participates as a team player with the rest of the clinical nutrition staff by communicating effectively and identifying priority duties. Participates in clinical meetings to discuss policy and procedures and other topics.
• Participates in interdisciplinary care rounds by providing input regarding patient nutrition status. Discusses nutrition related problems with medical, nursing, and ancillary staff to improve nutrition status of assigned patients.
• Maintains accurate records and assists in statistical analysis of data. Assists in developing new programs including business plans as needed. Assists in developing policies and procedures as appropriate. Completes data for Clinical Productivity monthly.
• Provides nutrition education to patients, the community, students and other health care professionals. Develops nutrition education materials, programs, displays, etc.
• Maintains CEU's as required for registration and licensure. Attends Mandatory In-service and completes online education as requested.In addition to performance of Clinical Dietitian duties, provides Food Service coordination as identified below:
• Participates in food tasting panels, test trays, meal rounds, to monitor food quality, temperatures, food handling and sanitation. Share results with Team Leader, Foodservice staff and the Care Center Administrator to recommend improvements where indicated. Inspects meals served for conformance to prescribed diets and for standards of palatability and appearance.
• Oversee meal service to the Care Center residents. Implement improvements where indicated for the Foodservice staff and the Nursing staff. Monitor resident dignity, resident choices, homelike environment, food safety, food presentation and appropriate nutrition and dietary interventions for residents.
• Complete Sanitation Audits in the Foodservice Department. Provide immediate corrective action where indicated. Provide report of audits to the Team Leader, Food Service staff and Care Center Administrator.
• Review pertinent foodservice logs to ensure compliance to local, state and federal regulations: Cook's Temperature Log to review minimum internal cook-to temperatures, cooling procedures and reheating procedures; Dish Machine Temperature and PPM Logs to ensure proper sanitation; Refrigerator and Freezer Temperature Logs to ensure proper food holding temperatures; I
• O Log for each resident in the Care Center to ensure offering of afternoon and HS snack.
• Organize and deliver in-service trainings in conjunction with the Team Leader and Foodservice Management to the Foodservice staff focusing on such topics as hand hygiene, potentially hazardous foods, dating / labeling, storage, sanitation, cross-contamination, proper cooking of foods to include cooling and reheating procedures, therapeutic diets, portion sizes and other topics regarding the function of the Foodservice Department to ensure compliance to local, state and Federal regulations.
• Work with the Team Leader on Performance Improvement to develop indicators and to collect and report data quarterly.
• Function as a Liaison between the Foodservice department and the Care Center
• Work with the Team Leader to review and update the Foodservice Department policy and procedure manual so that the content remains current.
• Monitor Foodservice staff regarding proper sanitation practices, hand hygiene, food handling, cross-contamination and treatment of potentially hazardous foods.
• Attend Foodservice staff huddles to communicate and reinforce foodservice practices, potential concerns and any changes.
• Work with the Team Leader when starting a new menu program or updating a current program, including spreadsheets and recipes.
• Assist Team Leader and Foodservice management to direct and monitor the department practices regarding compliance to local state and Federal regulations.
• Assist the Team Leader in Human Resource management regarding concerns of current staff and selection of new staff in conjunction with the Human Resources Department.
• Update Resident diet sheets, diet tickets for meals including therapeutic diet tickets and the Foodservice Department productivity sheets as needed
• Review recipes for HACCP protocols and food handling of potentially hazardous foods.
• Assess foodservice procedures and practices to discover areas for improvements to include productivity and efficiency as well as overall food safety.
• Collaborate with the Clinical Dietitian regarding dietary interventions for the Care Center Residents.

Culture of Excellence Behavior Expectations

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following behavior expectations:

Quality - Follows policies and procedures; adapts to and manages changes in the environment; Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness giving attention to details; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Manages time and prioritizes effectively to achieve organizational goals.

Service - Responds promptly to requests for service and assistance; Follows the Mercyhealth Critical Moments of service; Meets commitments; Abides by MH confidentiality and security agreement; Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; and effectively communicates information to partners; Thinks system wide regarding processes and functions.

Partnering - Shows commitment to the Mission of Mercyhealth and Culture of Excellence through all words and actions; Exhibits objectivity and openness to other's views; Demonstrates a high level of participation and engagement in day-to-day work; Gives and welcomes feedback; Generates suggestions for improving work: Embraces teamwork, supports and encourages positive change while giving value to individuals.

Cost - Conserves organization resources; Understands fiscal responsibility; Works within approved budget; Develops and implements cost saving measures; contributes to profits and revenue.

Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree from a four year college or University in Dietetics, Food Service, Food and Nutrition or related. Completion of an accredited or approved supervised practice program
Master's Degree or Specialty Certification preferred

Certification and Licensure

Registered with Commission on Dietetic Registration
State certification / licensure to meet state specific laws for practice as a Dietitian or licensure

Skills and Abilities
Good interpretive / analytical skills,
Good interpersonal / communication skills
Computer skills

Special Physical Demands

The Special Physical Demands are considered Essential Job Functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.
While performing the duties of the job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle or feel and talk or hear. Good manual dexterity to operate keyboard and telephone. The employee is occasionally has prolonged periods of sitting. Specific vision abilities required by this job inclue; close vision, peripheral vision and ability to adjust focus.

Level of Supervision

Some independent judgment is required, but alternatives are limited by standard practices or procedures.

Supervises

This job has no supervisory responsibilities

Mercyhealth offers a generous total rewards package to eligible employees including, but not limited to:

* Comprehensive Benefits Package: Mercyhealth offers a retirement plan with competitive matching contribution, comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance options, life and disability coverage, access to flexible spending plans, and a variety of other discounted voluntary benefit options.

* Competitive Compensation: Mercyhealth offers market competitive rates of pay and participates in various shift differential and special pay incentive programs.

* Paid Time Off: Mercyhealth offers a generous paid time off plan, which increases with milestone anniversaries, to allow employees the opportunity for a great work-life balance.

* Career Advancement: Mercyhealth offers a number of educational assistance programs and career ladders to support employees in their educational journey and advancement within Mercyhealth.

* Employee Wellbeing: Mercyhealth has a focus on wellbeing for employees across the organization and offers a number of tools and resources, such as an employer-sponsored health risk assessment and a Wellbeing mobile application, to assist employees on their wellbeing journey.

* Additional Benefits: Mercyhealth employees have access to our internal and external employee assistance programs, employee-only discount packages, paid parental and caregiver leaves, on-demand pay, special payment programs for patient services, and financial education to help with retirement planning.