Employment Type:

Full time

Shift:

Description:

GENERAL SUMMARY:

Responsible for assessing the nutritional status and providing individualized nutrition care plans and education from the analysis of the electronic medical record and patient interview for each hospitalized patient utilizing specialized knowledge and skills.

CORPORATE PHILOSOPHY STATEMENT:

It is the obligation of each employee of Mercy Medical Center to abide by and promote the mission and core values of the Spirit of Mercy.

CORPORATE POLICY STATEMENT:

It is the obligation of each employee of Mercy Medical Center to comply with Mercy’s mission, values, standards of conduct, policies, procedures and related practices (e.g. Dress Code, Time and Attendance, and other policies).

HIPAA SECURITY COMPLIANCE:

Security Access: High “Incumbent has access to restricted or confidential patient information and must comply with the terms of the Mercy Medical Center Security Policies as it applies to their job role.”

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

· Responsible for assessing the nutritional status and providing individualized nutrition care plans for each designated hospitalized patient including the provision of discharge planning.

· Educates and counsels patients of all ages including infant, child, adolescent, adult, geriatric and significant other/caregiver on modification of diet required for continued recovery as assigned.

· Documents findings, actions and summary of assessments, follow up and diet instruction comprehension in the electronic medical records.

· Reviews and modifies the patient room service meal selections as needed; updates diet office computer system with the timeframe for patient follow-up visit, snacks and supplement needs.

· Participates in department meetings and dietary staff small group meetings to inform and respond to concerns. Meets regularly with the Director, Chief Clinical Dietitian.

· Communicates with the Dietitians, Nutrition Assistants, Communications Operators, supervisors, room service staff, nurses and other healthcare team members.

· Takes phone inquiries regarding nutrition-related questions/problems from in and outside the hospital.

· May conduct formal classroom instructions in medical nutrition therapy.

· May attend interdisciplinary patient rounds.

· Completes nutrition-focused physical exam on patients per the dietitian’s discretion

· Enters diet orders for diet changes, nutrition supplements and/or nutrition support in the electronic health record/diet office computer system.

· Upon referral, provides individual outpatient diet instruction for all age levels and provides feedback to physicians as needed.

· Has the knowledge and ability to perform the nutrition focused physical exam in association with the nutrition assessment.

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

· A professional level of knowledge in nutrition and dietetics, which acquired by completing a regular, four-year college program with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Dietetics.

· Completion of the Coordinated Undergraduate Program, Internship Program or other qualifying experience approved by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is required.

· Registration eligible upon completion of an approved internship program or qualifying experience and successfully taking and passing the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) exam. Failure to pass the CDR exam within two (2) attempts will result in the termination of the employee’s employment status.

· Current registration with the Commission on Dietetic Registration is required.

· Current license with the State of Iowa for Dietetic Practice is required.

· Credentialing in an area of specialization, if available, is desired.

· Proof of completion of Mandatory Reporter abuse training for child and dependent adult abuse within three (3) months of hire.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY REQUIREMENTS: (Constant = 67%-100% of workday, Frequent = 34%-66% of workday, Occasional = 33% or less of workday)

CONSTANT

· Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately or quickly.

· Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal range. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication.

FREQUENT

· Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.

· Standing: Particularly for sustained period of time.

· Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for short distances.

· Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.

· Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working, primar