Lead Registered Dietitian - Echo Cliffs

Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation; Kugluktuk; On-site; CAD 104,000 - 139,000; Full time

Job summary

Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation seeks an experienced clinician to lead the Diabetes Education and Clinical Nutrition Program at Echo Cliffs Health Center. You will develop and execute program goals with medical directors, implement the DSME program, and oversee outcomes to drive quality improvement.

The role includes on-going nutrition therapy for patients with diabetes and case management responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Dietetics.
• Current Registered Dietitian in good standing with the CDR (RD licensure).
• Basic Life Support certification with the American Heart Association (AHA).
• State RD licensure required within 1 month of hire.
• Minimum two years of experience in clinical nutrition (inpatient or outpatient).
• Minimum two years of experience in comprehensive diabetes self-management education.
• Demonstrated high ethical standards and positive employment references.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and computer applications.

Responsibilities

• Provides outpatient medical nutrition therapy and diabetes self-management education.
• Performs patient needs assessments evaluating intervention priorities and glycemic control.
• Collaborates with patient, family, and care team to set goals.
• Directs development and implementation of the Echo Cliffs Diabetes Education and Clinical Nutrition program.
• Leads SDPI grant objectives and budgets related to diabetes initiatives.
• Tracks productivity and patient outcomes daily, weekly, and monthly.
• Provides inpatient nutrition therapy on rotating weekends/holidays; supports on-call shifts.
• Maintains licensure and engages in continuing education.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Interpersonal skills

Independence / self-motivated

Microsoft Office

Team collaboration

Ethics

Punctuality

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Dietetics

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Navajo Preference Employment Act

In accordance with Navajo Nation and federal law, TCRHCC has implemented an affirmative action plan pursuant to the Navajo Preference in Employment Act. Pursuant to this plan and corresponding TCRHCC policy, applicants who meet the necessary qualifications for this position and (1) are enrolled members of the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, or San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe will be given preference in hiring and employment for this position, (2) are legally married to enrolled members of the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, or San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe and meet residency requirements will be given secondary preference, and (3) are enrolled members of other federally recognized American Indian Tribes will be given tertiary preference.

Overview

POSITION SUMMARY: The incumbent is responsible to direct the Diabetes Education and Clinical Nutrition Program at Echo Cliffs Health Center. This entails the following: development and implementation of program goals and objectives with Echo Cliffs Medical Directors, and TCRHCC Director of Diabetes Education and Clinical Nutrition; planning and implementation of the Echo Cliffs diabetes self-management education (DSME) program; evaluation of the DSME program outcomes to direct continuous quality improvement efforts; maintenance of the diabetes registry; and consulting on nutrition care to multiple departments involved in direct patient care. The incumbent provides case management services for a sub-population of patients with diabetes, e.g. newly diagnosed, patients who are pregnant, diabetes in youth, uncontrolled T2DM, etc. Provides direct outpatient medical nutrition therapy to patients with and without diabetes, nutrition/diabetes case management services, and diabetes self-management training in both group and individual settings. glucometer and continuous glucose monitoring education. Incumbent participates in weekend/holiday rotating on-call schedule to provide medical nutrition therapy for TCRHCC inpatients, both with and without diabetes. Incumbent may also be called upon to provide MNT and DSME services at TCRHCC during the week as needed. This position is a Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm position.

Qualifications

NECESSARY QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Must have Bachelor’s Degree in Dietetics

Certification

• Must be a current Registered Dietitian in good standing with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR)


• Must have and maintain current Basic Life Support certification with the American Heart Association (AHA)


• Must have current state RD licensure and/or obtain a New Mexico State Registered Dietitian Licensure (LD) within 1 month of hire.

Experience

• Must have at least two (2) years of experience in clinical nutrition in an inpatient or outpatient setting.


• Must have at least two (2) years of experience in comprehensive diabetes self-management education.

Other Skills and Abilities

A record of satisfactory performance in all prior and current employment as evidenced by positive employment references from previous and current employers. All employment references must address and indicate success in each one of the following areas:

• Positive working relationships with others; cooperating effectively in teams for the benefit of patient care


• Demonstrated ability to work independently, with minimal supervision.


• Possession of high ethical standards and no history of complaints


• Reliable and dependable; reports to work as scheduled without excessive absences


• Effective verbal and written communication skills; exceptional communication and interpersonal skills are essential


• Ability to prioritize duties and work independently; must be self-motivated


• Experience with Microsoft Office and other computer applications


• Completion of and, above-satisfactory scores on all job interviews, demonstrating to the satisfaction of the interviewees and TCRHCC that the applicant can perform the essential functions of the job


• Successful completion of and positive results from all background and reference checks, including positive employment references from authorized representatives of past and current employers demonstrating to the satisfaction of TCRHCC a record of satisfactory performance and that the applicant can perform the essential functions of the job


• Successful completion of fingerprint clearance requirements, physical examinations, and other screenings indicating that the applicant is qualified to be employed by TCRHCC and demonstrating to the satisfaction of TCRHCC that the applicant can perform the essential functions of the job


• Submission of all required employment-related documents, applications, resumes, references, and other required information free of false, misleading, or incomplete information, as determined by TCRHCC.

MENTAL & PHYSICAL JOB REQUIREMENT

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

PHYSICAL

Incumbent for prolonged periods of time (3/4 of the workday) will work alone, sitting at a computer using the keyboard and can hear normal speech in person and on the telephone as well as hearing overhead pages. Frequently (1/2 the workday) the incumbent will stand, walk and will have the ability to use far/near vision and see fine details. The incumbent on occasion will bend, kneel, crouch, twist, reach, maintain balance and lift/push/pull up to 24 lbs. They will also on occasion have the ability to use fine hand manipulation with simple and firm grasping, as well as the ability for color vision and depth perception.

MENTAL

The incumbent must have the ability to frequently handle a high degree of flexibility, concentration, and handle multiple priorities in stressful situations, as well as demonstrating a high degree of patience. On occasion, the incumbent must cope with high levels of stress, make decisions under high pressure, cope with anger/fear/hostility of others in calm manner, work in areas that are close and crowded and manage altercations. The incumbent may also on occasion adapt to shift work and accept a flexible schedule to meet unit needs.

ENVIRONMENTAL

Incumbent may be occasionally exposed to infectious diseases and extremes in temperature or humidity.

Responsibilities

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Provides outpatient medical nutrition therapy and diabetes self-management education.


2. Performs individual patient needs assessment to evaluate intervention priorities. Assesses patient needs, medical condition, lab values, nutrition and weight status, self-management abilities, psychosocial concerns, learning factors, mental and emotional health status, access to health care resources, and glycemic control. Provides appropriate level and frequency of care for patients and their families as identified in the individual assessment.


3. In collaboration with the patient, family, and health care team, to assist patient in creating realistic and appropriate patient centered goals based on needs assessment. Supports the patient and health care team in completing the intervention and meeting goals.


4. Independently assures planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of the Echo Cliff Diabetes Education and Clinical Nutrition program, such as screening protocols, nutrition/diabetes policy and procedure, marketing, and performance improvement activities.


5. Development and carries out SDPI grant objectives, activities, and budgets as it relates to SPHC diabetes treatment and prevention. Participates in the development of the TCRHCC Diabetes Education and Clinical Nutrition budgets as it relates to Echo Cliffs .


6. Leads in the development of diverse interdisciplinary Echo Cliffs programs related to diabetes and obesity prevention and treatment among pediatric and adult patients.


7. Leads diabetes self-management education in both individual and group settings utilizing the IHS “Balancing Your Life with Diabetes”, Beautiful Beginnings, Navajo Area Sweet Success and Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (ADCES) curricula.


8. Tracks and reports productivity through patient contacts and outcomes on a daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly basis.


9. Applies theoretical approaches such as motivational interviewing, stages of change theory, and empowerment theory to facilitate behavior change. Effectively communicates with patients and families in a culturally sensitive manner.


10. Provides consultant services to pediatricians on infant nutrition, pediatric nutrition, adolescent nutrition, and specialty pediatric care program development.


11. Recommends adjustment of treatment plan utilizing patient blood glucose monitoring data to optimize glycemic control. If adjustments in medications are indicated, consultation with the primary care provider or attending physician is done; if the primary care provider or attending physician is not available, consultation will be done with the physician on call from the same service.


12. Utilizes a case management model to follow sub-populations of diabetes patients. Ensures patients receive recommended services and appropriate follow-up according the to Diabetes Standards of Care.


13. Attends and participates in Clinical Services team meetings, Echo Cliffs staff meetings, TCRHCC Diabetes Advisory Committee, and other committee efforts as appropriate.


14. Serves as a clinical expert and resource on diabetes, nutrition, and pediatric nutrition, maternal health and wellness to SPHC. Initiates and develops in-service training to staff to keep staff updated on issues pertaining to pediatrics, maternal, diabetes, and nutrition.


15. Provides inpatient medical nutrition therapy to patients with and without diabetes on a rotating weekend/holiday on-call schedule.


16. Prepares patient education materials as needed, seeking approval for use of new or updated materials through the Patient Education Materials Committee.


17. Maintains confidentiality regarding administrative and patient related care.


18. Maintains current licensure, job-related competencies, and knowledge of evidence-based guidelines through active participation in continuing education, independent study, seminars, in-services, and dialogue with colleagues.


19. Develops and assists with Performance Improvement initiatives.


20. Operates, monitors, and maintains patient care equipment.


21. Employs the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialist ADCES7 Self-Care Behaviors framework.


22. Ensure proper PPE is worn at all times while on duty including but not limited to, face mask, gloves, gown, isolation gown, NIOSH-approved N95 filtering facepiece respirator or higher, if available), and eye or face shield.


23. Complete all donning and doffing tasks in a safe acceptable method and discard of used PPE accordingly. (see CDC website for most current updates)


24. Complete task training for all routine cleaning and decontamination processes for all surfaces contaminated by a communicable disease to ensure a high level of patient, visitor, employee, and external customer satisfaction


25. Performs other duties as assigned.