Dietitian Coordinator (1020)
About the role
The incumbent will provide appropriate education and nutritional counseling to patients with diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, lipid disorders, and overweight or obesity. They will participate in the education of endocrinology fellows and engage in clinical research.
Responsibilities
Assess the nutritional requirements and educational needs of patients for whom diabetes management consultations are requested and provide medical nutrition and diabetes self management education as appropriate.
Determine and document specific dietary orders to be implemented as part of inpatient diabetes management.
Work closely with other team members to ensure appropriate dietary orders are written.
Conduct daily assessments of patients' nutritional intake and dietary needs using the Nutrition Care Process.
Document assessments clearly, and present findings on patient rounds to the inpatient diabetes team.
Provide dietary assessments and recommendations for individual patients.
Educate patients and appropriate family members or caregivers in preparation for ambulatory diabetes management following hospital discharge.
Using the Nutrition Care Process, monitor and reassess an individual's achievement of educational care plan and behavioral goals.
Educate patients and family members on administration and use of insulin and other blood glucose lowering medications, blood glucose monitoring, sick day management, hypoglycemia, and other topics appropriate to diabetes management including but not limited to pathophysiology and natural history, acute and chronic complications, role of exercise in management, and psychological impacts of the conditions and patients and care givers.
Document education and evaluate barriers to adherence. Document resources used.
Assess patient and caregivers’ needs for follow up education.
Teach patients and caregivers how to document blood glucose readings and report them to the Division's diabetes program staff.
Educate and be a resource for other healthcare professionals at SIU regarding diabetes mellitus and prediabetes including diagnostic tests, treatment options, and indications for diabetes educator and dietitian referrals.
Participate in activities to educate hospital personnel on important nutritional topics in hospital diabetes management.
Participate in educational programs on hospital diabetes management at SIU School of Medicine, partner teaching hospitals, and other healthcare organizations under the direction of the Division Chief.
Contribute to diabetes and nutritional education of physician trainees (fellows, resident physicians, and medical students) during diabetes team rounds and division conferences as assigned.
Supervise or delegate supervision as appropriate to dietetics interns rotating in the SIU Division of Endocrinology.
Assist in conducting investigator initiated clinical research, including protocol development, study execution (e.g., data collection), data analysis, and preparing results for dissemination (e.g., presentation at professional meetings or publication in peer reviewed journals) as appropriate under direction of the Division Chief or appropriate division faculty members.
Qualifications
Current Registered Dietitian licensure from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulations
Master’s degree in a specialty area related to Nutrition and Dietetics
Six years (72 months) of professional experience as a Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)
Board Certified Diabetes Educator
Skills, Abilities And Knowledge Needed For The Position
Sensitive to the needs of underrepresented minority populations.
Demonstrates flexibility and support of department by assisting in other clinical divisions as directed by supervisor.
Good communication skills.
Knowledge of clinic policy and procedures including SIU Healthcare Policies.
Computer skills to use multiple electronic health records systems.