Clinical Dietitian

United Hospital Center; Lubbock (TX); On-site; USD 41,328 - 55,104; Part time

Job summary

United Hospital Center in Lubbock, Texas, is seeking a Registered Dietitian to provide high-quality medical nutrition therapy to patients. You will document consults, work with healthcare teams, and supervise others as necessary.

The ideal candidate will have licensure, clinical experience, and the ability to work varied hours including weekends. This position requires strong communication and organizational skills.

Join us in our commitment to patient care and nutrition.

Qualifications

• Must possess current licensure as required by state board.
• One (1) year of clinical experience preferred.
• Must be able to work Saturdays and some holidays.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive medical nutrition therapy.
• Document protocols and communicate with physicians.
• Supervise nutritional therapy support team if applicable.

Skills

Registered Dietitian (RD)

Clinical experience

Basic math skills

Basic computer skills

Ability to follow instructions

Education

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

Job description

Minimum Qualifications

Education, Certification, and/or Licensure:

• Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) through the Commission of Dietetic Registration (CDR)
• Must possess current licensure as required by state board where services will be provided

State Licensure

• WV: Licensed Dietitian through the West Virginia Board of Licensed Dietitians
• MD: Licensed Dietitian through the State Board of Dietetic Practice
• OH: Licensed Dietitian through the Ohio Board of Dietetics

Background Check

• State criminal background check and Federal (if applicable), as required for regulated areas.

Preferred Qualifications

• One (1) year of clinical experience.

Core Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive high quality medical nutrition therapy to patients.
• Complete physician ordered consults and instructions according to standards of care and document in medical record. Contact the physician regarding any concerns, recommendations, etc.
• Document NPO/Clear Liquid notes by day five; follow-up until nutrition provided (unless contraindicated).
• Complete and document calorie counts accurately. Document summary of calorie counts within 24 hours of completion if results warrant nutritional recommendations.
• Calculate and report results of nitrogen balance and metabolic cart studies accurately and in a timely manner.
• Complete and document nutrition assessments on high-risk patients according to standards of care; including but not limited to: appropriateness of diet to diagnosis, adequacy of current tube feeding, infant formula, or parenteral nutrition orders; assessment of laboratory values, drug-nutrient interactions, medical history, current nutritional needs, nutrition education needs, care plan development and writing orders in the electronic medical record when nutrition intervention is needed for a patient.
• The Registered and Licensed Dietitians (RD/LD) at WVUH have been granted Order Writing Privileges (with physician co-signature) which have been approved and established by the WVUH Medical Executive Committee and the WVUH Board of Directors. These privileges may be utilized whenever the physician orders the MNT Protocol. This allows the registered dietitian (RD/LD) to order Medical Nutrition Therapies within their scope of practice as defined by the American Dietetic Association and West Virginia Board of Licensed Dietitians (WBOLD).
• The RD is considered qualified with current registration from the Commission on Dietetic Registration, current licensure through the WVBOLD, and clinical competency as verified initially and through the annual performance appraisal process. (See RD order writing privileges policy for specific guidelines.)
• Complete and document follow-up to assessments and consults according to standards.
• Attend local or national meetings/conferences specifically those that physicians request dietitian attendance or those meetings/conferences required to maintain accreditation of hospital programs or foster partnership with other facilities.
• If applicable, provides guidance and supervise daily activities of nutritional therapy support team, i.e. difficult or unusual diet orders, tube feeding calculations, infant formula calculations. Document potential/actual errors or harmful interactions with patients or staff committed by NCA’s on assigned units where appropriate (i.e. personnel file, medical record, etc.) Provide intervention and participate in disciplinary actions as appropriate.
• Work with Physicians, Nurse Managers and nursing staff on assigned units to improve medical nutrition therapy to the patient, including diet texture changes, providing appropriate foods/texture for aspiration risk (also work with speech pathologist), timing of medications to prevent drug-nutrient interactions, etc.
• Act on any patient food complaints, provide alternative selections and/or arrangements. Follow-up with appropriate managers on food quality issues.
• Review and update clinical rotation assignments annually to reflect changes in practice and feedback from previous interns, unless determined by student's university. Develop and teach classes regarding area of specialization to the interns (i.e. renal nutrition, oncology, nutrition support, etc.).
• Monitor interns, making certain that they are functioning to standards before leaving unsupervised. Review and co-sign all intern documentation in the medical record. Correct assignments and evaluate progress within 2 weeks of the end of the rotation. Attend intern case study presentations, question interns, evaluate presentation.
• As requested, develop and present in-services to other health care personnel, food service personnel, and students.
• As requested, develop and present lectures to community groups.

Physical Requirements

• Frequent walking, sitting and standing, are necessary body movements to complete the work.

Working Environment

• Majority of work is performed in patient care units. Some office, classroom and meeting room work. Occasional community speaking

Skills and Abilities

• Must have ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• Must have basic math skills including addition and subtraction.
• Basic computer skills required.
• Concentrated mental activity is required to organize the work.
• Must be able to respond to changes in work volume throughout the shift.
• Must be able to work Saturdays and some holidays. May need to attend a meeting in the evening on occasion.
• Must be able to interact with co-workers, patients, family and other members of the medical team in a positive manner.

Additional Job Description

• Scheduled Weekly Hours: 16
• Shift: Day (United States of America)
• Exempt/Non-Exempt: United States of America (Non-Exempt)