Senior Clinical Dietitian - Cancer Center Infusion

JOB SUMMARY

At Houston Methodist, the Senior Clinical Dietitian position is responsible for functioning as an experienced clinician at the requirements established by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND). In addition to fulfilling the duties of clinical dietitian, primary responsibilities for this position include application of the Nutrition Care Process (NCP) including the completion of the nutrition assessment, determination of the nutrition diagnosis, developing and implementing nutrition intervention(s) and monitoring and evaluating of the patient’s progress. The Senior Clinical Dietitian position serves as a preceptor for dietetic interns and mentors entry level clinicians, students, interns and other departmental employees, working closely with the interprofessional healthcare team to provide inpatient/outpatient care that is integrated and compatible with the patient-focused goals and objectives. This position participates in department and quality improvement projects for inpatient or outpatient departments.

PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Job responsibilities labeled EF capture those duties that are essential functions of the job.

PEOPLE - 20%

1. Consults individually with clients regarding nutritional concerns. Recommends nutrition plans to clients based on physical results, goals and concerns. Corresponds with other health care professionals regarding client’s nutrition care plan as necessary. (EF)
2. Acts as a resource person for all nutrition inquiries and provide counseling while upholding Houston Methodist and industry standards of ethics. Uses therapeutic communication, which includes active listening and teaching, to establish a relationship with patients, families and interprofessional health care team to collaborate on the plan of care. (EF)
3. Conducts self in a manner that is congruent with cultural diversity, equity and inclusion principles. Helps drive improvement of department scores for employee engagement, i.e. peer-to-peer accountability. (EF)

SERVICE - 25%

1. Assesses the nutrition status of clients and/or patients. Implements nutritional care according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Nutrition Care Process (NCP). Develops and instructs nutrition education classes in conjunction with dietitian team. Consistently evaluates the patient’s comprehension and adapts teaching methods accordingly. Utilizes evidence-based knowledge applied to the patient’s condition and recommends change in the plan of care. (EF)
2. Advocates on patient/family’s behalf to identify and resolve clinical and ethical concerns, utilizing appropriate resources. (EF)
3. Initiates improvements towards department score for patient satisfaction, through peer-to-peer accountability to service standards. (EF)

QUALITY/SAFETY - 25%

1. Self-initiates cross-coverage assistance to ensure continuity of care. Identifies and documents evaluation of outcomes. Collaborates with health care team to document correct degree of malnutrition in EMR to ensure adequate intervention for positive outcomes. (EF)
2. Provides care to increasingly complex patients coordinates care with the interprofessional team. Utilizes sound clinical judgement, using an evidence-based analytical approach to ensure patient nutrition needs are met. (EF)
3. Ensures continuity of care by completing quality monitors. Identifies areas of practice improvements with research-based evidence to achieve patient safety outcomes, supported by accurate documentation. Completes quality indicators for meeting department and hospital targets on the clinical nutrition dashboard. (EF)

FINANCE - 10%

1. Completes activity/productivity & other reports on timely basis. Utilizes resources with cost effectiveness and value creation in mind. Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks, assisting coworkers as needed. (EF)
2. Contributes towards meeting department financial targets through adjusting nutrition care plan to provide the most appropriate and cost-effective therapy, optimizing efficiency and other areas according to department specifications. (EF)

GROWTH/INNOVATION - 20%

1. Actively participates and is the nutrition representative on at least one department committee, task force and work group. Participates in a minimum of one continuous quality improvement/process improvement project. (EF)
2. Serves as a mentor and trainer with the department. Conducts interdepartmental and interprofessional training & mentorship to include: 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. (EF)
3. Serves as a preceptor for dietetic interns who are a part of an ACEND accredited dietetic internship program. Preceptor responsibilities to include mentoring and training interns to utilize the nutrition care process appropriately, hands on training for Nutrition Focused Physical Assessments, cosigning nutrition care notes in the EMR and evaluation of an intern’s performance based on ACEND competencies. (EF)
4. Seeks opportunities to identify self-development needs and takes appropriate action. Maintains professional development competencies by reviewing research for application to practice. Ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management. Completes and updates the My Development Plan on an on-going basis. (EF)

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 the need arises.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

o Graduate of education program approved by the credentialing body for the required credential(s) indicated below in the Certifications, Licenses and Registrations section.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

o Three years clinical nutrition experience as a Registered Dietitian