Clinical Dietitian - Outpatient - Part-Time

at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois, United States

Job Description

Job Description

Location: 1620 W Harrison St, Chicago, IL 60612

Hospital: RUSH University Medical Center

Department: Food And Nutrition Services – Outpatient Nutrition

Work Type: Part-Time – 20 hours per week (0.5 FTE)

Shift: Shift 2

Work Schedule: 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM (Mon to Fri); Saturday (9:00 AM to 1:00 PM)

Open to Remote Work

Summary:

The Clinical Dietitian 2 functions independently and is responsible for providing advanced level care in Clinical Nutrition for geriatric, pediatric, adolescent, and adult patients. This specialist has an advanced practice certification in his/her specialty area. This specialist may also have an advance practice certification as a Certified Nutrition Support Dietitian (CNSD). A clinical dietitian must be proficient in interpreting nutritional medical parameters as these data relate to the medical treatment plan. Active participation in the treatment process is essential as the clinical dietitian is required to confer about the nutrition care plan with physicians individually or on health care team rounds. This specialist utilizes nutrition expertise to train nutrition students and may provide guest lectures or teach a graduate level nutrition course(s). This specialist may also participate in new program development and research projects. Exemplifies the Rush mission, vision and values and acts in accordance with Rush policies and procedures.

Responsibilities:

1. All Clinical Dietitians are proficient in completing nutrition care evaluations utilizing tools appropriate for the age group, (i.e., growth charts for children), and the nutrient analysis calculated using the appropriate Recommended Dietary Allowances for all age groups.

2. Utilize the nutrition care process and provides age-appropriate nutrition care for nutritionally complex, malnourished patients on a timely basis. Utilizes established nutrition protocols to measure the effectiveness/outcomes of the nutrition care provided.

3. Monitors, evaluates, and modifies nutrition therapy through consecutive nutrition assessments. Implement changes in nutrition therapy as needed to achieve optimum nutrition status.

4. Provides enteral per protocol for patients unable to consume oral intake. Closely monitors patients for life-threatening feeding complications, adjusting feedings to ensure optimal intake to improve nutrition status. Collects outcome data.

5. Provide parenteral nutrition per protocol for patients unable to consume oral intake. Assess the hemodynamic status, metabolic demands, disease state and treatment, organ function, current nutritional status, and adjust the parenteral formula to achieve nutrition goals. Closely monitors patients for life-threatening feeding complications, adjusting feedings to ensure optimal intake to improve nutrition status. Maintains a database to assess outcomes and implement/change nutrition protocols based on these outcomes. A CNSC is required for the clinician to provide this service.

6. Order metabolic carts per protocol. Utilize cart results to develop an appropriate nutrition prescription.

7. Participates as a vital member of the multidisciplinary health care team; collaborates and coordinates nutrition care plans with health care team; serves as the nutrition expert. Contribute current nutrition information to health care team members in rounds and meetings.

8. Facilitates patient discharge with age-appropriate nutrition counseling. Participates in the evaluation and/or development of educational materials.

9. Reviews current research literature, synthesizes it and uses information in providing nutritional care to patients.

10. Serves as the resource person in training FNS staff members.

11. Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with the Nursing departments to provide coordinated, high quality care.

12. Oversees and manages the diet technicians’ and hosts’ interaction with patients at nutrition risk.

13. Serves as clinical preceptor by supervising and evaluating practicum experiences for dietetic interns to promote professional growth and development.

14. Develops learning objectives and implements educational activities for pacticum experiences.

15. Supports student research endeavors by suggesting research questions. Attends research and other students’ presentations. Participate on students’ research committees.

16. Actively participates as a Clinical Nutrition faculty member.

17. Provides nutrition lectures, and practicum experiences to graduate nutrition students and other health care team members.

18. Evaluates scientific literature and applies this information to clinical practice.

19. Participates in journal club. Mentors students and staff in the selection, review and presentation of journal articles.

20. Provides complex nutrition counseling/education in the out-patient setting. Monitors outcomes and develops program improvements.

21. Monitors assigned units/clinics to assure patient satisfaction. Participates as an active member of the health-care team working in these specialized areas.

22. Participates in continuous quality improvement projects to enhance the clinic activities.

23. Manages human and material resources effectively.

24. Contributes to achievement of departmental goals, to include: revision of policies and procedures, standards-of-care and educational material; serves on inter-and intra-disciplinary committees, as needed.

25. Demonstrates leadership in by identifying and assisting in implementing process improvement or other department projects.

26. Promotes the Food and Nutrition Services Department and Rush University Medical Center by professionally participating in nutrition organizations; representing the department in media events, (verbal and written); and supporting community activities (i.e. health fairs).

27. Demonstrates effective organizational and problem solving skills. Demonstrate adequate computer skills, (EPIC, CBORD, MS Office) to communicate effectively with staff.

28. Maintain compliance with regulatory agencies.

29. Completes pre-transplant nutrition assessments for kidney, kidney/pancreas, and liver transplant patients. Follows up and re-assesses patients with nutritional contraindications as needed.

30. Provides in-depth nutrition education and counseling for patients. Commonly covered areas include weight loss, management of nutrition related dialysis labs (potassium, phosphorus, and protein), low sodium diet, fluid restriction diet, diabetic diet, and optimizing nutrition intake.

31. Provides weight loss counseling for pre-evaluation kidney transplant patients in “Trim for Transplant” program. Program is designed to help patients meet weight loss goals in order to be cleared and placed on transplant waitlist.

32. Attends multidisciplinary organ selection meetings. Serves to provide input on nutritional issues for transplant patients.

33. Attends inpatient kidney rounds. Contributes to patient plan of care on rounds. Monitors, evaluates, and modifies nutrition therapy through consecutive nutrition assessments for inpatient kidney patients. Implements changes in nutrition therapy as needed to achieve optimum nutrition status.

34. Provides enteral feedings per protocol for patients unable to consume oral intake. Closely monitors patients for life-threatening feeding complications, adjusting feedings to ensure optimal intake to improve nutrition status.

35. Facilitates patient discharge with appropriate nutrition counseling. Educates patients on post-transplant diet recommendations prior to discharge.

36. Participates in the evaluation and/or development of educational materials.

37. Participates in Continuous Quality Improvement program.

Other information:

Required Job Qualifications:

- Masters of Science Degree in Nutrition or Dietetics or r