Registered Dietitian Outpatient

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under supervision of the Outpatient Nutrition Manager, the Outpatient Dietitian assesses, develops, and coordinates medical nutrition therapy and education activities for patients with complex nutritional needs in the treatment of acute and chronic diseases including but not limited to diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, medical weight loss, CKD, and GI disorders within the Internal Medicine department at Boston Medical Center. The dietitian plans and provides nutritional care to patients per outpatient nutrition department policies and procedures by evaluating patient status and need, and adapting dietary interventions to individual patient needs taking into account nutritional status, environmental or social barriers, and cultural diversity utilizing appropriate and proven counseling modalities. The dietitian evaluates and assesses patient compliance, and physiological response to diet therapy though direct interview, lab values, monitoring tolerance of foods or tube feedings and actively coordinates with other providers in the development and implementation of patient care plans. The Outpatient Dietitian plays a key role in the creation and management of complex dietary regimens and protocols within the department and plays an active role in developing nutrition based programming, and in the mentorship and education of peers, staff, and students while demonstrating consistent high level of competency.

Position: Registered Dietitian Outpatient       

Department: Primary Care Clinic

Schedule: Full Time

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES:

Behavioral Knowledge and Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Ability to work independently and organize workload within daily time constraints

• Strong interpersonal skills, must work effectively, professionally, and confidently with a diverse group of patients and healthcare providers

• Performs as reliable and productive staff member within the standards set by the Nutrition Department; works well as an interdisciplinary team member, projecting a positive supportive attitude to patients, physicians and staff

• Adheres to departmental and clinical policies and procedures. Consults with appropriate personnel concerning managerial or patient issues

• Demonstrates flexibility in workflows, performing duties of other staff members when requested within scope of practice, and accommodating patient needs

• Maintains neat, organized and professional work spaces, personal appearance

• Utilizes hospital’s behavioral standards as the basis for decision making and to support the hospital’s mission and goals, and follow established hospital safety procedures.

Clinical Knowledge & Skills

• Strong knowledge of food and nutrition, with ability to perform nutrition assessment, formulate nutrition plans, and provide nutrition counseling and education to adult patients on a referral basis, and follow-up counseling to patients requiring long term nutritional intervention. Assesses nutritional status based on laboratory values, medical and nutritional history and medical/surgical condition; develops nutritional care plans based on this information in accordance with accepted (AND) standards of practice and written department protocols.

• Provides nutrition education and engages patients in behavior modification skills in both individual and group settings as needed.

• Maintains records and provides periodic reports to referring and other care providers as needed

• Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to provide MNT appropriate for multitude of conditions, demonstrating familiarity and be willing to actively work towards developing competency over variety of dietary interventions, especially regarding the treatment of obesity and diabetes.

• Attend all clinical meetings, rounds, or committees to present nutrition care plans as needed

• Develops and plans individual diet intervention including necessary medical food supplements and/or tube feedings; monitors tube feedings for tolerance and assists MD in determining increases in rate, changes in tube feeding products and strength as appropriate.

• Assist in patient and clinician outreach through lectures, community events, and other marketing opportunities as needed. Assists in patient orientations and support groups as requested.  

Leadership:

• Provided in-service education in nutrition to hospital personnel such as MD’s, residents, students, nurses, dietary personnel.

• Acts as a preceptor in the education/training of dietetic interns and medical students from universities and h