JOB SUMMARY

At Houston Methodist, the Clinical Dietitian PRN position is responsible for functioning as an entry-level clinician for the requirements established by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND). This position is responsible for implementing nutritional care according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Nutrition Care Process (NCP) which includes, but not limited to, medical nutrition therapy, nutrition education, monitoring and reassessment of nutrition care plans, recommending consultation of adjunctive services (social services, speech pathology, immediate referral to RN re: pain assessment, etc.) as indicated, and termination of nutrition interventions as clinically indicated. The Clinical Dietitian position functions as part of the interprofessional team to ensure quality and cost-effective interventions to ensure optimal patient safety, customer service, and optimum patient outcomes. This position works closely with the interprofessional healthcare team to provide inpatient/outpatient care that is integrated and compatible with the patient-focused goals and objectives.

PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Job responsibilities labeled EF capture those duties that are essential functions of the job.

PEOPLE - 20%

• Functions as a collaborative interprofessional team member by participating in care coordination rounds. Seeks guidance from others and collaborates with all members of the interprofessional care team by actively communicating and reporting pertinent patient care information and data in a comprehensive manner. (EF)
• Uses therapeutic communication, which includes active listening and teaching, to establish a relationship with patients, families and interprofessional health care team to collaborate on the plan of care. Communicates regular updates to management, nursing, physicians, and other staff as needed to care for patients. (EF)
• Conducts self in a manner that is congruent with cultural diversity, equity and inclusion principles. Contributes towards improvement of department scores for employee engagement, i.e. peer-to-peer accountability. (EF)

SERVICE - 25%

• Implements nutritional care according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Nutrition Care Process (NCP) which includes, but not limited to, medical nutrition therapy, nutrition education, monitoring and reassessment of nutrition care plans, recommending consultation of adjunctive services (social services, speech pathology, immediate referral to RN re: pain assessment, etc.) as indicated, and termination of nutrition interventions as clinically indicated. (EF)
• Performs Nutrition Focused Physical Assessment (NFPA) as indicated, based on NFPA findings, identifying patients with malnutrition, degree of malnutrition and whether present on admission or hospital acquired. Collaborates with health care team to document correct degree of malnutrition in electronic medical record (EMR) to ensure adequate intervention for positive outcomes (EF)
• Ensures correct degree of malnutrition and whether malnutrition is present on admission or hospital acquired is documented in the EMR for hospital financial indicators. (EF)
• Contributes towards improvement of department score for patient satisfaction, through peer-to-peer accountability to service standards. (EF)

QUALITY/SAFETY - 25%

• Ensures continuity of care by completing quality monitors. Identifies and documents evaluation of outcomes by completing test trays of various diets to ensure quality, consistency and accuracy of meals provided. (EF)
• Provides care to patients and coordinates care with the interprofessional team. Manages usual patient assignments and other departmental demands, completes patient care responsibilities in a timely manner with accurate documentation. Uses evidence-based practice to support care and communicate directly with interprofessional team to ensure patient nutrition needs are met. (EF)
• Identifies opportunities for corrective action and process improvement. Identifies areas of practice improvements with research-based evidence to achieve patient safety outcomes, supported by accurate documentation. Contributes to meeting department and hospital targets for quality and safety. (EF)

FINANCE - 15%

• Positively impacts quality and cost outcomes by assuring optimal medical nutrition therapy to minimize potential complications related to alterations of nutrition status. Adjusts nutrition care plan to provide the most appropriate and cost-effective therapy. Ensures correct degree of malnutrition and whether malnutrition is present on admission or hospital acquired is documented in the EMR for hospital financial indicators. (EF)
• Utilizes resources with cost effectiveness and value creation in mind. Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively, minimzing incidental overtime and prioritize daily tasks, assisting coworkers as needed. Meets labor productivity standards by effectively managing established patient load assignments. (EF)

GROWTH/INNOVATION - 15%

• Maintains professional development competencies by reviewing research for application to practice. Maintains semi-annual professional portfolio for professional growth. (EF)
• Conducts interdepartmental training & mentorship to include: a minimum of one diet knowledge training session for nutrition assistants annually, mentorship of student volunteers and/or food service employees as applicable. (EF)
• Seeks opportunities to identify self-development needs and takes appropriate action. Ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management. Completes and updates the My Development Plan on an on-going basis. (EF)

This job description is not intended to be all inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

o Graduate of education program approved by the credentialing body for the required credential(s) indicated below in the Certifications, Licenses and Registrations section.

o Completion of dietetic internship accredited by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

o Completion of supervised practice hours (per Commission on dietetic Registration (CDR) requirements) and/or within a dietetic internship accredited by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics