Registered Dietitian-Per Diem

Connecticut Children's; Hartford (CT); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Connecticut Children’s is seeking a Registered Dietitian to assess pediatric inpatients and high-risk outpatients, develop nutrition plans, and participate in interdisciplinary rounds. The role emphasizes education for families and collaboration with MDs, RNs, and dietetic staff.

Ideal candidates hold RD eligibility with DPD/ACEND credentials and CT CD-N certification upon hire, with BLS required within 6 months. This position offers growth in a premier pediatric care environment.

Qualifications

• Education: BS or MS in Nutrition or completion of DPD leading to RD eligibility.
• Two to five years pediatric experience preferred.
• BLS for Healthcare Providers required within 6 months of hire.
• RD preferred and required within 6 months of hire.
• CT State Certification (CD-N) required on hire; new grad within 6 months if applicable.
• ACEND accredited DPD or internship program required/participation.
• Knowledge of MNT per Academy standards; pediatrics focus.

Responsibilities

• Assess nutritional status of inpatients and high-risk outpatients.
• Develop, document, and implement nutritional plans.
• Participate in interdisciplinary rounds to promote nutrition care.
• Educate caregivers, patients, and families; mentor staff.
• Provide guidance to dietetic staff and interns; participate in QI activities.
• Keep up-to-date with nutrition research and act as preceptor for students.

Skills

Medical Nutrition Therapy

EHR proficiency

Keyboarding

Data interpretation

Education

Bachelor or Master of Science in Nutrition or DPD leading to RD eligibility

Tools

Job description

Responsibilities

• Evidenced-Based Clinical Practice: Assess the nutritional status of inpatients and, as necessary, outpatients at very high or high risk. Includes history, lab review and interpretation, nutrition focused physical exam (heights, weights, skin folds, head measurements), medication analysis, disease analysis, and educational needs of patient and caregivers/family.
• Develop, document, and implement the nutritional plan based on assessment results.
• Participate in interdisciplinary team rounds to promote nutritional care.
• Serve as a community resource, especially for home care and area pediatricians.
• Education / Lifelong Learning: Provide education and counseling to caregivers, pediatric patients, and their families.
• Provide education to MDs, RNs, and other disciplines as needed.
• Round with physicians to provide advice, monitor patient status, and make adjustments to therapy as needed.
• Provide guidance to diet technicians and nutrition assistants.
• Serve as a mentor/trainer for new staff and dietetic interns.
• Participate in all department QI activities, maintain monthly stats and reports, complete interdisciplinary chart audits and peer reviews.
• Identify clinical safety issues and/or department business or efficiency issues and communicate to stakeholders.
• Participate in developing and implementing practice protocols to provide continuous quality improvement in all aspects of nutritional therapy.
• Participate in hospital research as requested.
• Keep up-to-date on research in nutrition and educate staff and students; act as preceptor for students in nutrition.
• Apply knowledge of age-related differences in patients from pre-term neonate through adolescence and demonstrate cultural sensitivity.
• Demonstrate support for mission and values of Connecticut Children’s Medical Center Standards.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Provides supervision, guidance, and instruction to dietetic technicians, nutrition assistants, and dietetic interns.

Qualifications

• Education Required: Bachelor or Masters of Science in Nutrition or completion of Didactic Program in Dietetics in accordance with Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) leading to registration eligibility.
• Position Specific Experience: Two to Five years pediatric experience preferred.
• Position Specific Job License and/or Certification Required:
  • American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Healthcare Provider required within 6 months of hire.
  • Registered Dietitian (R.D.) with CDR of the American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics preferred and required within 6 months of hire.
  • CT State Certification (CD-N) required on hire, exception is new grad required within 6 months.
  • Registration eligibility established by Committee on Dietetic Registration; may include completion of an ACEND accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics along with:
  • Accredited Dietetic Internship Program or Accredited Coordinated Program.
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required:
  • Knowledge of Medical Nutrition Therapy per Academy standards, medical terminology, drug‑nutrient interactions, pediatric genetic/metabolic disease states.
  • Skills: Proficiency with electronic health records, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access.
  • Ability: Accurate keyboarding and math skills.
• Work Environment: Offices, medical/surgical/intensive care units, clinics. Foot/motor vehicle travel may be required between sites/clinics.