Clinical Dietitian

Home Health Foundation; Lowell (MA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dedicated Dietary Services Team at a community hospital in Lowell, MA. This temporary full-time role involves providing nutritional care to patients, developing individualized diet plans, and educating families. Enjoy competitive salaries, benefits from day one, and opportunities for growth in a supportive environment.

Benefits

Competitive salaries & benefits

Tuition Reimbursement

403(b) retirement plan with hospital match

Opportunities for growth

Free on-campus parking

Qualifications

• One year of Clinical Dietitian experience required.
• Current registration with the American Dietetic Association.

Responsibilities

• Screen nutritionist status of hospitalized patients to determine nutritional needs.
• Develop medical nutrition care plans and monitor patients' nutritional status.
• Educate patients and families regarding dietary needs.

Skills

Customer Service

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition or Public Health

Job description

Come join the Dietary Services Team at Lowell General Hospital. This is a great opportunity to work close to home in a family-friendly community hospital. If you love working in food service and have strong customer service skills, Lowell General Hospital offers career growth and experience in all aspects of food service!

THIS IS A TEMPORARY FULL-TIME ROLE

Hours: 40 hours per week, full-time - Day Shift

Rotating weekends (every 6th weekend) on site Saturday, on call on Sunday, and on-call for the holidays after a 90-day introductory period.

Location: Lowell General Hospital - Main Campus

Job Overview

This position is responsible for providing optimal nutritional care of assigned hospitalized and ambulatory patients. Functions as the nutritional expert and patient nutrition advocate on the healthcare team.

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition or Public Health.
2. One (1) year of Clinical Dietitian experience.
3. Current registration with the American Dietetic Association & Massachusetts licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Master’s degree in Nutrition or Public Health.
2. Specialty certifications.
3. Two (2) years of Clinical Dietitian experience.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The duties and responsibilities listed below are intended to describe the general nature of work and are not intended to be an all-inclusive list. Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned.

1. Screen nutritionist status of each hospitalized patient to determine nutritional needs and the level of nutritional intervention required by reviewing the patient's medical record, especially the patient's medical history, drug history, and clinical laboratory data, and attending team rounds.
2. Perform nutritional and metabolic assessments based on clinical, medical, and nutritional data to identify patients at nutritional risk. Interview patients for nutritional history and relate problems to current medical history.
3. Assess patients' nutritional status, develop medical nutrition care plans, monitor and document the needs for those patients identified at nutritional risk, transition eternally or parenterally fed patients to discharge regimen. Monitor nutrient intake records and nutrient calculations for selected patients.
4. Review physicians' diet orders for appropriateness and recommend clarification or changes as indicated based on nutrition history, medical history, socio-economic factors, and laboratory data.
5. Assist in development, implementation, and monitoring of quality improvement standards for patient meal service delivery.
6. Educate both patient and families regarding modified or normal diets to meet the individual nutritional needs of the patient and document counseling in medical record. Prepare patient education materials.
7. Develop an individualized diet plan (based on the evaluation) and counsel the patient and, if necessary, the family, including the planning, purchasing, and preparation of foods to meet the patient's individual needs.
8. Follow progress of patient on successive visits and make appropriate changes in care plan.
9. Maintain the necessary patient records and statistics, including written evaluations, progress notes, etc.
10. Document and update nutritional status, care plan, and counseling in patient's medical record.
11. Provide nutritional consultation to the medical and nursing staff and other members of the healthcare team.
12. Act as a resource to community groups regarding nutrition and give presentations and lectures at professional meetings and to community groups.
13. Provide nutritional in-service education to other members of the healthcare team.
14. Communicate nutrition information to patient service assistants to ensure optimal delivery of medical nutrition therapy.
15. Interact with other members of the patient's healthcare team to ensure optimal nutritional care for each patient including discharge planning and continuing care conferences and continued nutritional support in the home environment.
16. Act as preceptor for the FSNC nutrition interns (graduate students) during their clinical affiliations. Supervise their progress in evaluating patients, developing and implementing care plans, and counseling patients and families. Prepare teaching manuals, resources, etc.
17. Participate in the review, update, and implementation of departmental policies and procedures, as assigned.
18. Participate in departmental quality improvement programs as assigned, especially those related to improving patient outcomes.
19. Participate, as required, in nutrition-related studies and projects.

What We Offer:

Not only is Lowell General Hospital an exceptional place to work, offering a culture of recognizing and valuing employees, but we also provide amazing opportunities for our staff:

• Competitive salaries & benefits that start on day one
• Tuition Reimbursement
• 403(b) retirement plan with hospital match
• Opportunities for growth
• Free on-campus parking

About Lowell General

For more than 125 years, Lowell General has served the Greater Lowell community with pride. We balance the first-rate care of a premier medical center with the warmth of a three-time Magnet-recognized community hospital. As a member of our team, you’ll join over 3,000 dedicated care providers to offer complete, connected care, when and where patients need it most.

Tufts Medicine is a leading integrated health system bringing together the best of academic and community healthcare to deliver exceptional, connected, and accessible care experiences to consumers across Massachusetts. Comprised of Tufts Medical Center, Lowell General Hospital, MelroseWakefield Hospital, Lawrence Memorial Hospital of Medford, Care at Home - an expansive home care network, and large integrated physician network. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity and inclusion at Tufts Medicine. Tufts Medicine does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, national origin, gender identity and/or expression, marital status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation by emailing us at [e-mail].