The Clinical Dietitian is responsible for compassionately providing inpatient Medical Nutrition Therapy. This position functions as part of a team to ensure the delivery of evidence-based nutrition care. He/She provides nutrition care utilizing the Nutrition Care Process and documents patient interactions in the electronic medical record.

Education and/or Other Requirements

• Baccalaureate Degree in Dietetics or Dietetics related field
• Graduate of an Accredited Dietetic Internship or Coordinate Program recognized through the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
• Registered Dietitian Nutritionist recognized through the Commission on Dietetic Registration, or registry-eligible, and Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist through Illinois   Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.  Licensure must be obtained within six (6) months of hire date if registry-eligible status.
• Preferred: Master’s Degree in Dietetics or Dietetics related field
• Preferred: One year experience as a Registered Dietitian
• Must maintain Professional Development Portfolio and Continuing Education to maintain registration and licensure.

Essential Functions and Job Duties

RDs will prioritize their daily workload to ensure the daily workload in completed in a timely manner. This position is also responsible for providing services to outside contracts as negotiated with the Decatur Memorial Hospital Food and Nutrition Services Department. The Clinical Dietitian will be part of the rotating weekend and holiday schedules. Exact daily times may vary based on patient case load, needs of the RD contract, meetings, intern mentoring, and other tasks that may arise.  In this role, the clinical dietitian will direct, teach, and mentor dietetic interns from various universities/colleges.  He/She will practice in accordance with the organization and department missions and values.

• Utilize the Nutrition Care Process as recommended by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and in accordance with Decatur Memorial Hospitals “Nutrition Screening, Assessment, and Reassessment of Patients” policy
• Provide nutrition counseling and/or education to patients and/or caregivers based on assessment of individual learning needs
• Work in partnership with the interdisciplinary team and participate in patient care rounds as able
• Provide supervised learning experience for dietetic interns and students when appropriate
• Communicate and collaborate with the Food and Nutrition Services staff to provide the patient with the best care possible
• Participate in Quality Improvement and Cost Control projects related to patient care and nutrition service
• Develop and provide education to the hospital and the community to promote a culture that values nutrition services
• Support the continuum of care by making referrals to appropriate outpatient services when applicable
• Participate in departmental, organization, or community teams and committees when appropriate
• Maintain high level of competency and professional development related to nutrition trends, research, policy, certifications, and standards of practice
• Appropriately utilize independent decision making and the “Medical Nutrition Therapy Order Implementation” policy to implement or modify nutrition-related orders to provide efficient and optimal nutrition care, including tube feeding and total parenteral nutrition if physician consults RD to manage. Initiates communication with physician and other care providers to coordinate patient care.

• Integrate nutrition care with other treatment modalities. Interpret biochemical and clinical data, identifies and monitors patients at nutritional risk; provides a variety of nutritional therapy interventions to resolve nutritional crisis and to ensure health maintenance. Independently, manages nutrition care for patients utilizing medical staff approved orders protocol.

• Embodies the Memorial Health System Performance Excellence Standards of Safety, Courtesy, Quality, and Efficiency that support our mission, vision and values:
• SAFETY: Prevent Harm - I put safety first in everything I do.  I take action to ensure the safety of others.
• COURTESY: Serve Others - I treat others with dignity and respect.  I project a professional image and positive attitude.
• QUALITY: Improve Outcomes - I continually advance my knowledge, skills and performance.  I work with others to achieve superior results.
• EFFICIENCY: Reduce Waste - I use time and resources wisely.  I prevent defects and delays.
• Perform other duties as assigned to elevate the role of the dietitian.