Associate Dietitian

About the role

Purpose and scope: A Registered Dietitian in training with less than one year of clinical experience will work directly with a qualified dietitian under the direct supervision of a qualified renal dietitian, providing nutritional services for in‑center patients to gain the experience required by CMS until one year of clinical experience is completed to become a qualified dietitian. The role includes participating in process‑improvement activities to help patients achieve physician‑determined goals, adhering to the FMCNA Compliance Program and supporting the Quality Enhancement Program, mission, vision, core values and customer service philosophy. Supervision: none. Work environment: health‑care facility with air‑temperature control, moderate noise, potential exposure to infectious materials; involves desk/PC work, patient and staff interaction, travel between facilities and to training clinics, regional, Business Unit and Corporate meetings.

Responsibilities

• Drive company culture through values and customer service standards.
• Provide outstanding customer service to external and internal customers.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships via timely communication.
• Take initiative to respond, resolve and follow up on customer service issues.
• Calculate diet prescriptions according to standards of practice.
• Evaluate patient knowledge of diet and kidney disease.
• Complete Nutrition History forms for use by CMS‑qualified dietitians.
• Provide patient‑specific education to patient/family/caregiver regarding nutritional status, adequacy measures, fluid status, and nutrition‑related lab parameters, considering learning style and preferences.
• Review nutrition‑related lab results; counsel patient/caregiver and formulate appropriate actions to assist in achieving effective nutritional status.
• Communicate lab results and recommended treatment changes to the interdisciplinary team, physicians/facility staff, and providers of patient care in nursing facilities.
• Monitor adherence and response to nutrition therapy; address issues impacting goal achievement.
• Review each patient’s albumin level and body weight at least monthly; identify malnourished or at‑risk patients and collaborate with the interdisciplinary team on interventions.
• Involve patient/family/caregiver in improvement goals.
• When appropriate, identify candidates for physician referral for nutritional supplements per disease‑management agreements.
• Assist with fluid and volume management; provide fluid and sodium education as appropriate.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary team on management and recommendations for mineral metabolism, renal bone disease, anemia and iron status, nutritional status, psychosocial status, vascular access, modality, rehabilitation status, and sodium/volume control.
• Participate in Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement and Plan of Care meetings with a CMS‑qualified dietitian.
• Attend other pertinent staff meetings as applicable.
• Ensure work areas are safe and clean; collaborate on pharmacy‑related responsibilities (setup, enrollment, management).
• Participate in lobby days.
• Educate patients in emergency preparedness as it relates to food and nutrition.
• Conduct staff in‑services as needed or requested.
• Adhere to FMCNA algorithm and medical record policies.
• Maintain and improve knowledge and skills for competent, innovative practice.
• Maintain dietetic registration and continuing education hours per American Dietetic Association and state licensure regulations.
• Perform other nutrition services duties as assigned.
• Escalate issues to supervisor for resolution as deemed necessary.
• Assist with various projects as assigned by direct supervisor.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition or a directly related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• Registered Dietitian credential per the Commission on Dietetic Registration.
• Current state licensure if applicable.
• Less than 1 year of clinical experience.