Clinical Dietitian II

Penrose Hospital; Colorado Springs (CO); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Penrose Hospital in Colorado Springs is seeking a Clinical Dietitian II to assess and manage patients' nutritional status, develop individualized plans, and provide counseling to patients, families, and caregivers.

You will mentor Dietitian I staff, participate in quality improvement efforts, collaborate with physicians and the interdisciplinary team, and support menu reviews and compliance with nutrition guidelines across the department.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree with ACEND-accredited dietetics program.
• RD (Registered Dietitian) certification upon hire.
• Minimum 3 years acute care hospital experience with complex patient populations.

Responsibilities

• Assess nutritional status using validated tools and develop nutrition plans.
• Provide counseling to patients, families, and caregivers.
• Mentor Clinical Dietitian I staff and interns.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary care team to optimize patient care.
• Support quality performance improvement and compliance.

Skills

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Mentoring

Counseling patients

Education

ACEND-accredited dietetics program

Registered Dietitian (RD) certification

Job description

Job Summary and Responsibilities

As a Clinical Dietician II, you will assess the nutritional status of patients using recognized tools and provide counseling to patients, families, and caregivers. You will develop and implement nutrition plans designed to improve the management of various diseases and conditions.

Every day, you will support, model, and train Clinical Dietitian I staff in core departmental and organizational responsibilities. You will also perform essential business functions, including resource management and active participation in quality performance improvement and compliance efforts.

To be successful in your role, you will ensure that all nutrition care is safe, effective, and provided in a cost-effective manner. Additionally, you will assist the Clinical Nutrition Director with the coordination of clinical nutrition services to maintain high standards across the department.

• Conduct comprehensive nutritional screenings and assessments using validated tools and age-appropriate standards to identify patients at risk and establish nutrition-related diagnoses.
• Implement and monitor targeted nutrition intervention plans, including customized nutrition prescriptions and feeding routes, based on each patient’s specific medical condition and goals.
• Actively participate as an expert member of the interdisciplinary care team, collaborating with physicians and clinical staff to facilitate high-quality patient care and treatment plans.
• Provide advanced clinical nutrition therapy for high-acuity patient populations, such as NICU, pediatric, oncology, and renal patients, including the use of specialized enteral/parenteral support.
• Mentor and train Clinical Dietitian I staff, interns, and other hospital personnel through workshops, peer reviews, and chart audits to ensure organizational standards and competency.
• Partner with Food and Nutrition Services to conduct menu reviews, audit trayline accuracy, and ensure facility-wide compliance with diet manuals and nutritional guidelines.

Job Requirements

Required

• Bachelor's Degree with completion of accredited dietetics program (ACEND - Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition Dietetics)
• Three (3) years acute care hospital or similar experience working with patients in more complex levels of care to specialized populations
• RD upon hire
  
• DIETITIAN:AR within three (3) months, DIETITIAN:GA within three (3) months, DIETITIAN:IA within three (3) months, DIETITIAN:KS within three (3) months, DIETITIAN:KY within three (3) months, DIETITIAN:MN within three (3) months, DIETITIAN:NE within three (3) months, DIETITIAN:NV within three (3) months, DIETITIAN:ND within three (3) months, DIETITIAN:OH within three (3) months, DIETITIAN:TN within three (3) months, DIETITIAN:TX within three (3) months, DIETITIAN:UT within three (3) months, DIETITIAN:WA within three (3) months

Preferred

• Potential Board Certifications include: Board Certification Specialist in Oncology, Pediatric and Pediatric Critical Care, Renal, and Gerontological. Also Certified Nutrition Support Clinician (NBNSC) ASPEN, Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (NCBDE)
  
• Outpatient/Wellness Center/Rehabilitation Board Certified Specialist in sports dietetics, obesity and weight management
  
• In lieu of a board certification, three (3) years acute care hospital or similar experience working with patients in more complex levels of care to specialized populations

Where You'll Work

Penrose - St. Francis Health Services is a full-service, 712-bed acute care provider in Colorado Springs comprising Penrose Hospital, St. Francis Hospital and St. Francis Hospital - Interquest. Penrose Hospital serves as the anchor hospital of Penrose-St. Francis Health Services with 300-licensed beds and the ability to provide tertiary (high tech) medical-surgical services with an emphasis on elective and outpatient care. Established in 1890, Penrose Hospital has grown to become a major health treatment and referral center, specializing in cancer care, cardiac care, emergency trauma care and physical rehabilitation. It's an incredible time to join us as we are a proud Magnet Hospital with designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) for superior quality in nursing care. With more than 300 days of annual sunshine, mild winters and easy-to-access recreational areas like Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods and some of Colorado's top destination resorts, you will enjoy an incredible lifestyle while having the career you've always wanted.