Nutritionist

Job Profile Summary

This role focuses on providing medical and clinical support services to patients. In addition, this role focuses on performing the following Nutrition duties: Evaluates patients and helps them improve physical and mental conditions through treating nutritional difficulties, ranging from undernourishment to obesity. A professional individual contributor role that may direct the work of other lower level professionals or manage processes and programs. The majority of time is spent overseeing the design, implementation or delivery of processes, programs and policies using specialized knowledge and skills typically acquired through advanced education. A senior level role that requires advanced knowledge of job area typically obtained through advanced education and work experience. Typically responsible for: managing projects / processes, working independently with limited supervision, coaching and reviewing the work of lower level professionals, resolving difficult and sometimes complex problems.

Job Overview

This position is responsible for proficient assessment, support, and consultation to patients and families referred from clinics and physicians. Based on clinical data, physician's orders, and patients' life style of living, develops with patient or caretaker a realistic plan for adherence to a prescribed regime. Serves as a nutrition resource for staff, students, and appropriate community groups. May provide services in satellite health centers and arrange and may develop specific areas of specialization.

Job Description

Minimum Qualifications:

4. One (1) year experience in clinical nutrition or public health.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Master's degree in Nutrition.

2. Two (2) years of experience in clinical nutrition or public health.

Duties and Responsibilities: The duties and responsibilities listed below are intended to describe the general nature of work and are not intended to be an all-inclusive list. Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned.

1. Teaches and assesses diet records.

2. Develops an individualized diet plan (based on the evaluation) and counsels the patient and, if necessary, the family, including the planning, purchasing, the preparation of foods to meet the patient's individual needs.

3. Follows progress of patients on successive visits and makes appropriate changes in care plan.

4. Maintains the necessary patient records and statistics including written evaluations, progress notes, etc.

5. Teaches and precepts students.

6. Plans, implements, and evaluates group sessions.

7. Coordinates nutritional services with medial services.

8. Provides formal classroom instruction to students, particularly within one's area of expertise/specialization, as required.

9. Provides, upon request, nutritional consultations to member of medical staff.

10. Performs necessary administrative duties such as scheduling patient's appointments, reviews medical records and records billing information.

11. Participates, as required, in nutrition-related studies and projects.

12. Provides in-service education to the patient care team, as required.

13. Assists in the training of new personnel.

14. Acts as a resource to community groups regarding nutrition and gives presentations and lectures at professional meetings and to community groups.

15. Assists in the preparing of yearly goals and works toward meeting the agreed upon goals.

16. Participates in special projects.

17. Provides nutritional assessment of each patient based on the patient's medical records and nutritional history.

18. Supervises their progress in evaluating patients, planning dietary programs, counseling and interacting with patients, and recording treatment information.

Physical Requirements:

1. Works in Inpatient and outpatient clinic patient care areas.

2. Occasional exposure to sick patients and bodily substances.

Skills & Abilities:

1. Knowledge of drug/nutrient interactions and the principles of nutrition with an emphasis on disease and diet, and internal/parental support.

2. Interpersonal skills for interacting effectively with patients and their families, students and members of the health care team

3. Ability to communicate with and assess the patient needs of different age populations to provide necessary care.

4. Excellent counseling skills.

5. Ability to read/write and communicate in English with a demonstrated ability to show empathy and sympathy through spoken and written words.

6. Responsible and reliable.

7. Good organization skills.

8. Demonstrates knowledge of CQI process.

9. Understands family dynamics and works effectively within various types of family systems.

10. Analytical and math for assessing patients and developing care plans.

11. Excellent interpersonal skills.