Houston Methodist
Senior Clinical Dietitian, Full-Time (Days)
Houston Methodist, Houston, Texas, United States, 77246
At Houston Methodist, the Senior Clinical Dietitian position is responsible for functioning as an experienced clinician as required by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND). In addition to duties as a clinical dietitian, the primary responsibilities include application of the Nutrition Care Process (NCP), including nutrition assessment, nutrition diagnosis, development and implementation of nutrition interventions, and monitoring and evaluation of patient progress. The Senior Clinical Dietitian serves as a preceptor for dietetic interns and mentors entry-level clinicians, students, interns, and other departmental staff, working closely with the interprofessional healthcare team to provide inpatient/outpatient care aligned with patient-focused goals and objectives. This position participates in department and quality improvement projects for inpatient or outpatient departments.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Consults with clients regarding nutritional concerns and recommends nutrition plans based on physical results, goals, and concerns. Coordinates with other health care professionals regarding the nutrition care plan as necessary.
Acts as a resource for nutrition inquiries and provides counseling while upholding Houston Methodist and industry standards of ethics. Uses therapeutic communication, including active listening and teaching, to collaborate on the plan of care with patients, families, and the interprofessional health care team.
Supports department efforts to improve employee engagement and peer-to-peer accountability.
SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Assesses the nutrition status of clients and/or patients. Implements nutritional care according to the AND Nutrition Care Process (NCP). Develops and instructs nutrition education classes in conjunction with the dietitian team. Evaluates patient comprehension and adapts teaching methods accordingly. Applies evidence-based knowledge to the patient's condition and recommends changes to the plan of care.
Advocates on behalf of patients/families to identify and resolve clinical and ethical concerns, utilizing appropriate resources.
Initiates improvements toward department scores for patient satisfaction through peer-to-peer accountability to service standards.
QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Self-initiates cross-coverage to ensure continuity of care. Documents evaluation of outcomes and collaborates with the health care team to ensure accurate malnutrition documentation in the EMR for appropriate intervention and positive outcomes.
Provides care to increasingly complex patients and coordinates care with the interprofessional team. Applies sound clinical judgment and evidence-based analysis to meet patient nutrition needs.
Ensures continuity of care by completing quality monitors and identifying practice improvements with research-based evidence to achieve patient safety outcomes, supported by accurate documentation. Completes quality indicators for department and hospital targets on the clinical nutrition dashboard.
FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Completes activity/productivity and other reports on a timely basis. Uses resources with cost-effectiveness in mind. Manages time effectively and prioritizes daily tasks, assisting coworkers as needed.
Contributes toward meeting department financial targets by adjusting nutrition care plans to provide appropriate and cost-effective therapy, optimizing efficiency according to department specifications.
GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Actively participates as the nutrition representative on at least one department committee, task force, or work group, and participates in a minimum of one continuous quality improvement/process improvement project.
Serves as a mentor and trainer within the department. Conducts interdepartmental and interprofessional training and mentorship, including: a minimum of one diet knowledge training session for nutrition assistants annually, mentorship of student volunteers as applicable, and subspecialty training on nutrition care for dietitians and other healthcare professionals.
Serves as a preceptor for ACEND-accredited dietetic interns, mentoring and training interns to utilize the Nutrition Care Process, hands-on training for Nutrition Focused Physical Assessments, cosigning nutrition care notes in the EMR, and evaluating intern performance based on ACEND competencies.
Identifies self-development needs, reviews research for practice application, maintains career discussions with management, and updates the My Development Plan on an ongoing basis.
This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as needed.
EDUCATION
Graduate of an education program approved by the credentialing body for the required credential(s) indicated in the Certifications, Licenses and Registrations section.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Three years of clinical nutrition experience as a Registered Dietitian.
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RESPONSIBILITIES
Consults with clients regarding nutritional concerns and recommends nutrition plans based on physical results, goals, and concerns. Coordinates with other health care professionals regarding the nutrition care plan as necessary.
Acts as a resource for nutrition inquiries and provides counseling while upholding Houston Methodist and industry standards of ethics. Uses therapeutic communication, including active listening and teaching, to collaborate on the plan of care with patients, families, and the interprofessional health care team.
Supports department efforts to improve employee engagement and peer-to-peer accountability.
SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Assesses the nutrition status of clients and/or patients. Implements nutritional care according to the AND Nutrition Care Process (NCP). Develops and instructs nutrition education classes in conjunction with the dietitian team. Evaluates patient comprehension and adapts teaching methods accordingly. Applies evidence-based knowledge to the patient's condition and recommends changes to the plan of care.
Advocates on behalf of patients/families to identify and resolve clinical and ethical concerns, utilizing appropriate resources.
Initiates improvements toward department scores for patient satisfaction through peer-to-peer accountability to service standards.
QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Self-initiates cross-coverage to ensure continuity of care. Documents evaluation of outcomes and collaborates with the health care team to ensure accurate malnutrition documentation in the EMR for appropriate intervention and positive outcomes.
Provides care to increasingly complex patients and coordinates care with the interprofessional team. Applies sound clinical judgment and evidence-based analysis to meet patient nutrition needs.
Ensures continuity of care by completing quality monitors and identifying practice improvements with research-based evidence to achieve patient safety outcomes, supported by accurate documentation. Completes quality indicators for department and hospital targets on the clinical nutrition dashboard.
FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Completes activity/productivity and other reports on a timely basis. Uses resources with cost-effectiveness in mind. Manages time effectively and prioritizes daily tasks, assisting coworkers as needed.
Contributes toward meeting department financial targets by adjusting nutrition care plans to provide appropriate and cost-effective therapy, optimizing efficiency according to department specifications.
GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Actively participates as the nutrition representative on at least one department committee, task force, or work group, and participates in a minimum of one continuous quality improvement/process improvement project.
Serves as a mentor and trainer within the department. Conducts interdepartmental and interprofessional training and mentorship, including: a minimum of one diet knowledge training session for nutrition assistants annually, mentorship of student volunteers as applicable, and subspecialty training on nutrition care for dietitians and other healthcare professionals.
Serves as a preceptor for ACEND-accredited dietetic interns, mentoring and training interns to utilize the Nutrition Care Process, hands-on training for Nutrition Focused Physical Assessments, cosigning nutrition care notes in the EMR, and evaluating intern performance based on ACEND competencies.
Identifies self-development needs, reviews research for practice application, maintains career discussions with management, and updates the My Development Plan on an ongoing basis.
This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as needed.
EDUCATION
Graduate of an education program approved by the credentialing body for the required credential(s) indicated in the Certifications, Licenses and Registrations section.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Three years of clinical nutrition experience as a Registered Dietitian.
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