COORDINATOR, NUTRITION SUPPORT

About the Role

This position is responsible for identifying and implementing current practices in nutrition support and leading the Nutrition Services Department in this specialty area. The role involves training and educating all levels of healthcare professionals in nutrition support, acting as a liaison between nutrition, medical staff, and nursing, and facilitating the functions of the Nutrition Support Committee.

Responsibilities

• Leadership
  • Serves as the lead dietitian for the clinical staff within the Nutrition Service department and leads the team proactively.
  • Supports change in a complex healthcare environment and resolves problems promptly.
  • Acts as the lead dietitian in the critical care area.
  • Communicates pertinent information during interdisciplinary patient care rounds and attends daily rounds in critical care areas.
  • Facilitates the functions of the Nutrition Support Committee, plans a comprehensive nutrition support service, and devises protocols for use.
  • Serves as a liaison to the medical staff, nursing, and dietitians in the area of nutritional support.
  • Performs performance improvement studies on clinical nutrition issues.
• Communication
  • Serves as a liaison between nutrition services, nursing, and medical staff for all nutrition support activities.
  • Educates dietitians, medical staff, and nursing on new protocols and guidelines based on current evidence-based practice.
• Clinical
  • Completes nutrition screening, assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring, and evaluation of patients based on current Clinical Nutrition Standards of Practice.
  • Performs nutrition-focused physical exams.
  • Identifies patients at risk for malnutrition and diagnoses malnutrition, developing care plans accordingly.
  • Determines plans for reassessment based on established standards and patient needs/status.
  • Aids in managing the transition from enteral or parenteral nutrition to oral intake.
  • Provides education and support to patients and/or families.
  • Researches and recommends products for inclusion into the Independence Health Enteral Formulary.
• Regulatory Standards
  • Maintains survey readiness with all JCAHO and Department of Health standards and regulations, as well as other regulatory agencies.
  • Maintains manuals of meeting notes, communications, policies and procedures, and performance improvement initiatives.
• Fiscal Management
  • Identifies and implements revenue enhancement opportunities and cost-control measures while balancing quality.
  • Interprets data to assist in evaluating the value of services provided.
  • Schedules clinical staff within budgetary guidelines.
• Professional
  • Maintains registration, licensure, and nutrition support certification.
  • Undertakes continuous professional development in the area of nutrition support.
  • Leads the department in reviewing relevant current literature.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Education and Experience
  • Bachelor of Science Degree in Nutrition, Food & Nutrition, or a closely related field.
  • Three (3) to five (5) years’ experience as a clinical dietitian in the healthcare field.
• Skills and Abilities
  • Strong time management and organizational skills.
  • Ability to work independently and in a team setting.
  • Creativity in treatment across various settings, including inpatient and outpatient clinics.
  • Ability to transition smoothly between various treatment settings and flexibility in scheduling.
  • Strong ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics to a wide and diverse audience.
  • Functional skills in PC and related software (Microsoft Office).
  • Basic working knowledge of computers and office equipment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master of Science Degree in Nutrition, Food & Nutrition, or a closely related field.
• Certification in the area of Nutrition Support.
• Experience in a healthcare setting.

Licenses, Certifications & Clearances

• Current Registration with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (CDR Commission on Dietetic Registration).
• Certified Nutrition Support Clinician through the National Board of Nutrition Support Certification within 6 months of hire (CNSC).
• Current licensure with the State PA Board of Nursing.
• Act 33, Act 34, and Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal.

Schedule

Incumbent will be scheduled based on operational need, which may include rotating shifts, standby, on-call, etc. Travel may be expected locally between System locations.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2-person) and/or transfer device is required.

• Environmental Conditions
  • Constant: 8-hour shifts, direct patient care.
  • Frequent: Travel between sites, overtime (+8 hrs/shift; 40 hrs/wk), hand protection, chemicals (direct use) exposure, blood/body fluid exposure, bending (stooping), walking, standing, carrying, reaching forward, lifting (floor to knuckle, seat pan to knuckle, knuckle to shoulder, shoulder to overhead) up to 10#.
  • Occasional: On-call, latex exposure, solvent exposure, sitting, twisting/turning, keyboard/computer operation, gross grasp, fine finger manipulation, hand/arm coordination, pushing/pulling (lbs. of force).
  • Rare: Extreme cold, confined spaces, extreme noise (>85dB), mechanical hazards, heights, use of vibrating tools, operates vehicle (company), operates heavy equipment, use of lifting/transfer devices, 10-12-hour shifts, respirator protective equipment, eye protection, head protection (hard hat), hearing protection, feet/toe protection, body protection, paint (direct use) exposure, dust (sanding) exposure, ethylene oxide exposure, cytotoxic (chemo) exposure, mist exposure, wax stripper (direct use), non-ionizing radiation exposure, ionizing radiation exposure, laser exposure, climbing stairs, climbing ladders, kneeling, squatting (crouching), pulling/pushing objects overhead, reaching above shoulder level.