CLINICAL DIETITIAN SPECIALIST -

About the role

Collaborate with members of the healthcare team to provide Medical Nutrition Therapy, and monitor the effectiveness and outcomes of nutrition interventions. Evaluates the nutritional status of patients utilizing diet recall/history, physical appearance, oral intake, laboratory values, and by performing anthropometric measurements. Complete patient assessments and implement interventional strategies to improve nutrition status of medically complex patients. Effectively apply advanced level of knowledge and/or evidence-based research to improve patient care. Provide nutrition education to patients and family members. Manage delivery of nutrition care services on assigned units. Ensure adherence to Hospitals and departmental policies and procedures. Patient care assignment may include neonate, pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric age groups.

Responsibilities

• Follow patient safety-related policies, procedures and protocols
• Perform key functions of nutrition care according to system policy including nutrition screening, assessments, development of care plans
• Follow-up monitoring/reassessment of patients identified to be at nutrition risk; base clinical practice on sound scientific principles, current research and theory
• Direct the nutrition care aides in assuring that patients receive nutrition care that meets the nutrition therapy care plan
• Identify, monitor, and evaluate effectiveness of enteral and parenteral nutrition support regimes
• Provide care according to organization ethics, licensure, and the Standards of Professional practice for Dietetics professionals
• Assess patient's learning needs and provide nutrition education appropriate to patient's literacy and/or cognitive ability
• Share knowledge and expertise with other health care team members through activities such as participating in patient care rounds, in-services to staff, participation on assigned committees and teaching classes
• Serve as a preceptor for dietetic interns in applying nutrition knowledge and skills
• Maintain accurate records to meet regulatory agency guidelines and assist in statistical analysis of data
• Enhance professional growth and development through participation in educational programs, reading current literature, attending in-services, meetings and workshops
• Demonstrate proactive approach to patient safety by seeking opportunities to improve patient safety through questioning of current policies and processes
• Identify and report/correct environmental conditions and/or situations that may put a patient at undue risk
• Report potential or actual patient safety concerns, medical errors and/or near misses in a timely manner
• Encourage patients to actively participate in their own care by asking questions and reporting treatment or situations that they don't understand or may "not seem right"
• Locate, review, and utilize evidence-based best practices to improve patient outcomes

Qualifications

• Education: Essential – Bachelor's Degree; Nonessential – Master's Degree
• Education specialization: Essential – Related Discipline; Nonessential – Related Discipline
• Experience: Essential – 1/2 year (6 months) directly related experience; Nonessential – 1 year directly related experience
• Credentials: Essential – Certification w/ Commission on Dietetic Registration (or eligible if prov NM Lic Dietitian or Lic Nutritionist or Provisional License), CPR for Healthcare/BLS Provider or Professional Rescuer within 30 days; Advanced credentials from CDR, NBNSC or CBDE or Master's in Nutrition or related field
• Physical Conditions: 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 constantly (constantly: activity or condition exists 2/3 or more of the time) to move objects. Physical demand requirements exceed those for Sedentary Work. May require walking or standing to a significant degree or requires sitting most of the time but entails pushing and/or pulling of arm or leg controls; and/or may require working at a production rate pace entailing constant pushing and/or pulling of materials even though the weight of materials is negligible. Essential Working Conditions: Minor Hazard – physical risks, dirt, dust, fumes, noise; may perform subordinate tasks in high census/volume; may be required or is required to perform on-call duties; may work rotating shifts, holidays and weekends; Tuberculosis testing is completed upon hire and additionally as required.

Benefits

• $15,000 sign‑on bonus
• Relocation assistance
• Eligible for Specialist designation and increased compensation with advanced credentials (CDR, NBNSC, NCBDE) or a Master's degree in Nutrition and at least one year of directly related experience

Schedule

Shift: Days (full‑time, 1.00 FTE)