Registered Clinical Dietitian

The Clinical Dietitian leads the processes in place to ensure that the patients'

nutritional needs are met. Clinical dietitians plan meals for hospital patients who have special dietary

needs. The Clinical Dietitian will assess patients' nutritional needs, confer with the healthcare team,

and analyze nutritional intake. The Clinical Dietitian will educate patients who are in need of special

diets/dietary planning


• JOB RELATIONSHIPS:

A. REPORTS TO: The Director of Adult Health Services/Care Management

B. SUPERVISES: none

C. INTERRELATIONSHIPS WITH: Clinical staff, FNS staff, nursing, physicians and other

ancillary staff members.


• HOURS OF WORK: Typically Monday through Friday day time hours. Variable weekend and after

hour shifts.


• DRESS CODE: Professional street clothing, lab coat and hairnets when in production areas.


• ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS OF WORK (Minimum qualifications necessary to function at full

productivity).

Clinical Dietitian

A. EDUCATION AND TRAINING: Bachelor of Science in Food and Nutrition from an

accredited college. Completion of approved internship, coordinated undergraduate program

or equivalent. Successful completion of certifying exam.

B. EXPERIENCE: Registered Dietitian status, member of Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics,

1-2 years experience preferred.

C. JOB KNOWLEDGE (Specific): Knowledge of departmental policies and procedures

including requirements of The Joint Commission and other regulatory agencies. Knowledge

of clinical nutrition and therapeutics.


• BUDGET: N/A


• CLIENTELE DIRECTLY AFFECTED BY JOB: Patients, RMH staff, Administration, physicians, Food

and Nutrition Service employees, patient, and families.


• PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB: Work in a well lighted area. Flexibility necessary.

Adaptability to high stress situations. Position requires 25% sitting, 10% standing and 65% walking.

Position requires infrequent bending, stooping and lifting. Complete range of motion is required.

Position requires effective verbal communication. Must be able to see and hear.


• PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT OF THE JOB: Work in a well lighted area. Temperature changes

throughout the Hospital.


• EQUIPMENT OR MACHINES USED ON THE JOB: Copy machine, calculator, Word, Excel,

Outlook and other office equipment.


• MENTAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB:

A. JUDGEMENT AND INITIATIVE: Must be able to prioritize clinical issues, (i.e. QA/CQI,

menu processing, patient/employee concerns, etc.)

B. INDEPENDENT ACTION: Must be able to make independent decisions on clinical issues,

Clinical Dietitian

act as a reference for the interdisciplinary team.

C. EFFECT OF ERROR: Applying nutrition knowledge to ensure decisions regarding menus,

patient care and quality assurance are correct and appropriate.

D. CONTACT WITH OTHERS: Patients, RMH staff, Administration, physicians, patients and

families.


• PRINCIPAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES, TASKS, AND AUTHORITIES:

A. RESPONSIBILITY: Clinical dietitian for In-patient Care

PRIORITY: B % OF TIME: 35% DISCRETION: A

TASKS:

1. Assists with reviewing patient services and clinical services policies and procedures.

3. Reviews patient menus and assists in calculating diabetic carbohydrate exchanges

and sodium levels of food.

4. Interviews patients to obtain information regarding food habits and preferences for

guidance in planning diets.

5. Instructs in-patients regarding diet therapy.

6. Maintain sound working relationship with FNS personnel, patient-care services,

physicians, and other medical staff personnel.

7. Meets the requirements as set forth by the hospital relative to visiting patients.

8. In accordance with established standards of performance, the Clinical dietitian

assesses, plans, implements, evaluates, supervises, and documents the care of

patients including those in the following age groups: infancy, childhood, adolescent,

adult and geriatric.

9. Perform nutrition education in-services as requested for staff and/or patients.

AUTHORITIES: To provide a well-rounded and high quality clinical nutrition program.

Clinical Dietitian

B. RESPONSIBILITY: Clinical dietitian for outpatient care

PRIORITY: A % OF TIME: 50% DISCRETION: A

TASKS:

1. Provide out-patient dietary services for Cardiovascular Health and Rehabilitation

patients.

2. Provide out-patient dietary services to Pulmonary Rehabilitation patients.

3. Provide out-patient dietary services to Willmar Cancer Center patients.

4. Provide out-patient dietary services to Rehabilitation patients at Rice Rehab Ctr.

5. Provide out-patient dietary services to Dialysis patents.

6. Provide out-patient dietary services to Rice Care Center patients.

7. Assists with reviewing patient services and clinical services policies and

procedures.

8. In accordance with established standards of performance, the Clinical dietitian

assesses, plans, implements, evaluates, supervises, and documents the care of

patients including those in the following age groups: infancy, childhood, adolescent,

adult and geriatric.

9. Perform nutrition education in-services as requested for staff and/or patients.

AUTHORITIES: Works in coordination with outpatient services to set schedule.

C. RESPONSIBILITY: Advocate for the needs patient's dietary needs by attending

appropriate hospital committee meetings.

PRIORITIES: B % OF TIME: 15% DISCRETION: A

TASKS:

1. Acts as an expert for the organization in the area of nutrition and dietetics.

Attends all mandatory in-services on Infection Control and Safety, Chemical

Awareness, Disaster, Employee Right To Know and annual Harassment in-service.

2. Attend other training sessions, as needed or as scheduled.

Clinical Dietitian

3. Complete facility annual Computer Based Learning

AUTHORITIES: Sets schedule to be able to attend in-services or meetings

D. RESPONSIBILITY: Continuous Quality Improvement

Tasks:

1. Demonstrates understanding of the CQI philosophy.

2. Participates in CQI training activities or CQI teams if appropriate.

3. Demonstrates sensitivity to customers and their needs.

4. Interacts appropriately with internal customers, i.e.

Coworkers within department, staff across departments.

5 Interacts appropriately with external customers, i.e. patients, families, medical staff,

vendors.

6. Role models positive behaviors.

Responsibility: Service Excellence

Tasks:

Demonstrate an ongoing commitment to the Service Excellence philosophy by adhering to

behaviors outlined in Rice's Standards of Service Excellence.

Developed 9/91

Reviewed 12/92

Revised 12/92, 6/93, 8/94, 9/95, 4/97, 3/99, 3/02, 10/02, 12/03, 5/05, 9/09, 12/11, 07/17