Job Summary/Overall Objectives
This position is responsible for identifying and implementing current practices in nutrition support & leading the Nutrition Services Department in this specialty area. This position will train and educate all levels of health care professionals in nutrition support, act as a liaison between nutrition, medical staff and nursing & serve as the facilitator to support the functions of the Nutrition Support Committee.
Essential Job Functions
- Align department with strategy maps and continually work to implement drivers in support of Independence Health System’s mission and vision.
- Act promptly to resolve problems and initiate better ways of doing things by acting as a catalyst for change.
- Establish and maintain a safe working environment and ensure staff comply with safety, environmental, and infection control guidelines.
- Equitably apply policies and procedures by issuing corrective action in a fair and consistent manner.
- Assess customers’ needs, exceed customer expectations, and consider customers in decision making to improve customer satisfaction.
- Act on most urgent tasks, leverage available resources, review own workload, implement workable systems, and provide clear direction.
- This position has direct supervisory responsibilities and serves as a coach and mentor for other positions in the department.
- Management responsibilities include hiring, coaching, skills development, recognition and rewards, staff productivity and performance management.
- Supports change in a complex healthcare environment & acts promptly to resolve problems while communicating action taken.
- Serves as the lead dietitian in the critical care area.
- Communicates pertinent information during interdisciplinary patient care rounds and attends daily rounds in critical care areas.
- Facilitates the functions of the Nutrition Support Committee, plans a comprehensive nutrition support service & devises protocols for use.
- Serves as a liaison to the medical staff, nursing, dietitians in Nutritional support
- Performs performance improvement studies on clinical nutrition issues.
- Serves as a liaison between nutrition services, nursing, and medical staff for all nutrition support activities.
- Educates the dietitians, medical staff and nursing on all new protocols & guidelines to be used according to current Evidence based practice.
- Completes nutrition screening, assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring and evaluation of patients based on the current Clinical Nutrition Standards of Practice.
- Performs nutrition focused physical exams
- Identify patients at risk for malnutrition
- Diagnoses malnutrition and develops care plans.
- Determines plan for reassessment based on established standards and patients’ needs/status.
- Aids in managing the transition from enteral or parenteral nutrition to oral intake.
- Provides education and support to the patient and/or family.
- Research and recommend products for inclusion in the Independence Health Enteral Formulary.
- Maintains survey readiness with all JCAHO and Department of Health standards and regulations; as well as other regulatory agencies. Maintains manuals of meeting notes, communications, policies and procedures, and performance improvement initiatives.
- Identifies and implements revenue enhancement opportunities and measures that control costs while balancing quality.
- Interprets data to assist in evaluating the value of services provided.
- Schedules clinical staff within budgetary guidelines.
- Undertakes continuous professional development in nutrition support.
- Leads the department to review relevant current literature.
- Other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications/Experience
- Bachelor of Science Degree in Nutrition or Food and Nutrition and three (3) to five (5) years’ experience as a clinical dietitian in the healthcare field.
- Zero (0) to Two (2) years supervisory/management experience in nutrition support services.
- Strong leadership ability, good organizational skills, independent and critical thinking skills, sound judgment, and knowledge of legal aspects and liability of clinical nutrition.
- Strong ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience.
- Strong time management; creativity in treatment in various settings including inpatient and outpatient clinics; ability to transition smoothly between various treatment settings.
- Functional Skills on PC and Related Software (Microsoft Office).
- Basic working knowledge of computers and office equipment.
Preferred Qualifications/Experience
- Master of Science Degree in Nutrition, Food & Nutrition or closely related field.
- Certification in Nutrition Support.
- Experience in a Healthcare setting.
License, Certification & Clearances
- Current Registration with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (CDR Commission on Dietetic Registration).
- Certified Nutrition Support Clinician through the National Board of Nutrition Support Certification within six (6) months of hire (CNSC).
- Current licensure with the State PA Board of Nursing.
- Act 33 with renewal
- Act 34 with renewal
- Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
- Incumbents will be scheduled based on operational need (rotate shifts, standby, on call, etc.).
- Travel may be expected locally between System locations.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Independence Health and its affiliated companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. It is their policy to prohibit discrimination of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, or genetic information, or any other classification protected by law. Independence of Health and its affiliated companies will comply with all applicable laws and regulations.
Disclaimer
This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Moreover, duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.
Work Environment
When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.
Essential – Absolute Necessity.
Marginal – Minimal Necessity.
Constantly – 5.5 to 8 hours or more or 200 reps/shift.
Frequently – 2.5 to 5.5 hours or more or 32-200 reps/shift.
Occasionally – 0.25 to 2.5 hours or 2-32 reps/shift.
Rarely – Less than 0.25 hours or less than 2 reps/shift.
Physical Condition
Essential
Marginal
Constantly
Frequently
Occasionally
Rarely
Never
Extreme Heat
Extreme Cold
Heights
Confined Spaces
Extreme Noise(>85dB)
Mechanical Hazards
Use of Vibrating Tools
Operates Vehicle (company)
Operates Heavy Equipment
Use of Lifting/Transfer Devices
Rotates All Shifts
8 Hours Shifts
10-12 Hours Shifts
On-Call
Overtime(+8/hrs/shift; 40/hr/wk)
Travel Between Sites
Direct Patient Care
Respirator Protective Equipment
Eye Protection
Head Protection (hard hat)
Hearing Protection
Hand Protection
Feet, Toe Protection
Body Protection
Latex Exposure
Solvent Exposure
Paint (direct use) Exposure
Dust (sanding) Exposure
Ethylene Oxide Exposure
Cytotoxic (Chemo) Exposure
Blood/Body Fluid Exposure
Chemicals (direct use) Exposure
Mist Exposure
Wax Stripper (direct use)
Non-Ionizing Radiation Exposure
Ionizing Radiation Exposure
Laser Exposure
Physical Demands
When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.
Essential – Absolute Necessity.
Marginal – Minimal Necessity.
Constantly – 5.5 to 8 hours or more or 200 reps/shift.
Frequently – 2.5 to 5.5 hours or more or 32-200 reps/shift.
Occasionally – 0.25 to 2.5 hours or 2-32 reps/shift.
Rarely – Less than 0.25 hours or less than 2 reps/shift.
Bending (Stooping)
Sitting
Walking
Climbing Stairs
Climbing Ladders
Standing
Kneeling
Squatting (Crouching)
Twisting/Turning
Keyboard/Computer Operation
Gross Grasp
Fine Finger Manipulation
Hand/Arm Coordination
Pushing/Pulling(lbs. of force)
Carry
Transfer/Push/Pull Patients
Seeing Near w/Acuity
Feeling (Sensation)
Color Vision
Hearing Clearly
Pulling/Pushing Objects Overhead
Reaching Above Shoulder Level
Reaching Forward
Lifting Floor to Knuckle
Lifting Seat Pan to Knuckle
Lifting Knuckle to Shoulder
Lifting Shoulder to Overhead
When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.