Dietitian

Employment Type:
Part 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, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand or arm as in handling.

OCCASIONAL

• Repetitive motions: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands and/or fingers.

PHYSICAL DEMAND REQUIREMENTS:
If a patient is unable to function independently, a mechanical/assistive device and/or additional personnel must be utilized. If an object requires lifting > 50 lbs., additional equipment/personnel must also be utilized.

• Light work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently and/or a negligible amount of force to move objects. The use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for sedentary work. Walking and standing are required for sustained periods of time.

VISUAL ACUITY REQUIREMENTS:

• Reading menus, patient lists, messages, computer systems, correspondence, instruction and educational materials, electronic health records.
• Calculates patient nutritional needs and intakes.
• Writing, analyzing data, inspecting, and checking patient menu selections in the room service computer system when deemed necessary.

INTELLECTUAL/EMOTIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Adaptability to accepting responsibility for the planning of each day's activities to the optimum benefit of the patient and co-professionals.
• Adaptability to situations involving the interpretation of feelings, ideas or facts in terms of personal viewpoint.
• Adaptability to influencing people in their opinions, attitudes or judgments about ideas or things.
• Adaptability to making generalizations, evaluations or decisions based on sensory or judgmental criteria.
• Adaptability to making generalizations, evaluations or decisions based on measurable or verifiable criteria.
• Adaptability to dealing with people beyond giving and receiving instructions.
• Adaptability to performing repetitive work or to performing continuously the same work, according to set procedures sequence or pace.
• Adaptability to performing under stress when confronted with emergency, critical or unusual situations.
• Adaptability to situations requiring the precise attainment of set limits, tolerance or standards.
• Adaptability to performing a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of a different nature without loss of efficiency or composure.
• Ability to maintain both a high standard of courtesy and cooperation in dealing with co-workers, patients, and visitors and satisfactory job performance despite the stress of a hospital work environment.

TOOLS/EQUIPMENT:

• Standard medical and nursing equipment, special equipment or office equipment found in the assigned area.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• The worker is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.
• The worker is subject to food spills and wet spots on floor surfaces.

Our Commitment

Rooted in our Mission and Core Values, we honor the dignity of every person and recognize the unique perspectives, experiences, and talents each colleague brings. By finding common ground and embracing our differences, we grow stronger together and deliver more compassionate, person-centered care. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.