Dietitian – Registered – Advocate Trinity Hospital

Major Responsibilities:

• Develops and implements a plan of care for patients based on an assessment of nutritional needs which correlates with the interdisciplinary health care plans.
• Completes assessments by using physical, clinical, and laboratory data.
• Checks physician's diet orders, determines if the order is in accordance with the clinical data (laboratory, medication, and disease) and communicates with the physicians concerning the patient's nutritional care.
• Completes accurate assessments, including calculations of nutrition requirements and nutrient content of enteral and parenteral feedings, making sound recommendations for optimal nutrition.
• Compiles and develops educational materials for dietitian's review.
• Provides nutrition education through individual and group teaching to patients, employees, medical staff, and the community.
• Counsels patients and families in good nutrition including food selection, preparation, and meal planning based on the individual's life style and medical needs.
• Documents in the patient's medical record results of nutritional assessment, medical nutrition therapy, recommended and initiated plan of care, results of diet consultation, and recommendations for discharge planning.
• Communicates with the healthcare team by participating in interdisciplinary meetings, rounds, and medical conferences, serving as a nutrition care consultant.
• Maintains accurate record keeping of daily clinical activities, including information for scheduling and billing.
• Must be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served. Must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs, and to provide the care needed as described in the department's policies and procedures. Age-specific information is developed further in the departmental job standards.

Licensure, Registration, and/or Certification Required:

• Course work approved by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND).
• Completion of an ACEND accredited internship or coordinated dietetic program.
• Achieve registration through the Commission on Dietetic Registration, the credentialing agency of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) as a Registered Dietitian (RD) within 3 months of hire date and achieves Illinois State Licensure as a Licensed Dietitian within six months of hire date for new hires in IL, or achieves Wisconsin State
• Certification as a Certified Dietitian within six months of hire date for new hires in WI.

Education Required:

• Bachelor's Degree (or equivalent knowledge) in Dietetics.

Experience Required:

• No experience required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to communicate effectively with patients, families, medical facility staff, and physicians.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Operates all equipment necessary to perform the job.
• Exposed to a normal office environment.
• Must be able to walk and stand the majority of the workday.
• Must be able to lift up to 20 lbs. occasionally
• Must have functional speech, vision, hearing and the ability to read, write and perform basic math
• May be required to enter isolation rooms, therefore personal protective equipment must be worn as necessary.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.