Dietitian

Employment Type:

Full time

Shift:

Day Shift Description:

GENERAL SUMMARY

Responsible for assessing the nutritional status and providing individualized nutrition care plans and education from the analysis of the electronic medical record and patient interview for each patient utilizing specialized knowledge and skills.

CORPORATE PHILOSOPHY STATEMENT

It is the obligation of each employee of Mercy Medical Center to abide by and promote the mission and core values of the Spirit of Mercy.

CORPORATE POLICY STATEMENT

It is the obligation of each employee of Mercy Medical Center to comply with Mercy's mission, values, standards of conduct, policies, procedures and related practices (e.g. Dress Code, Time and Attendance, and other policies).

HIPAA SECURITY COMPLIANCE

Security Access:

High "Incumbent has access to restricted or confidential patient information and must comply with the terms of the Mercy Medical Center Security Policies as it applies to their job role."

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Conduct comprehensive nutrition assessments, interventions, and education for oncology and hematology patients across the young adult, adult, and geriatric populations, utilizing specialized knowledge and technical skills to optimize nutritional status. Provide daily individualized nutrition counseling for outpatients in medical oncology, radiation oncology, and surgical oncology. Assess nutritional needs; educate patients and families on appropriate diet selections; and recommend interventions such as oral supplementation or enteral nutrition support. Document nutrition assessments, care plans, and follow-up evaluations clearly and accurately in the medical record. Participate in weekly tumor boards and interdisciplinary patient care conferences in radiation therapy. Perform in-depth nutrition assessments, including evaluation of medical and nutrition history, laboratory data, weight trends, and anthropometric measurements. Analyze energy and nutrient needs using appropriate calculations and modeling, and communicate recommendations to physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. Provide in-service education to oncology nurses, dietitians, social workers, and other hospital staff on nutrition assessment and management of oncology patients. Respond to nutrition-related inquiries from patients, staff, and external sources via telephone. Attend departmental and interdisciplinary meetings; collaborate regularly with the manager to discuss performance, goals, and departmental needs. Deliver individualized outpatient nutrition education upon referral and communicate outcomes and recommendations to referring providers. Develop and lead patient education classes using a variety of instructional materials (e.g., presentations, handouts, visual aids). Participate in quality improvement initiatives as assigned. Support or conduct formal educational sessions on nutrition and diet therapy, with emphasis on oncology and hematology care.

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED

• A professional level of knowledge in nutrition and dietetics, which acquired by completing a regular, four-year college program with a Bachelor of Science degree in Dietetics.
• Completion of the Coordinated Undergraduate Program, Internship Program or other qualifying experience approved by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is required.
• Registration eligible upon completion of an approved internship program or qualifying experience and successfully taking and passing the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) exam. Failure to pass the CDR exam within two (2) attempts will result in the termination of the employee's employment status.
• Current registration with the Commission on Dietetic Registration is required.
• Current license with the State of Iowa for Dietetic Practice is required.
• Credentialing in an area of specialization, if available, is desired.
• Proof of completion of Mandatory Reporter abuse training for child and dependent adult abuse within three (3) months of hire.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY REQUIREMENTS

(Constant = 67-100% of workday, Frequent = 34-66% of workday, Occasional = 33% or less of workday)

CONSTANT

Talking:

Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately or quickly.

Hearing:

Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal range. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication.

FREQUENT

Fingering:

Picking, typing or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand or arm as in handling.

Reaching:

Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.

Standing:

Particularly for sustained periods of time.

Walking:

Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for short distances.

Grasping:

Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.

OCCASIONAL

Repetitive Motion:

Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands and/or fingers.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Sedentary Work:

Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to life, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.

VISUAL ACUITY REQUIREMENTS

Reading messages, computer terminals, correspondence, instruction and educational materials, medical records. Calculating total energy/nutrition intake and needs. Writing, analyzing data, inspecting, alphabetizing.

INTELLECTUAL/EMOTIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Adaptability to accepting responsibility for the direction, control, or planning of inventory control and purchasing activities. Adaptability to situations involving the interpretation of feelings, ideas, or facts in terms of personal viewpoint. Adaptability to influencing people in their opinions, attitudes, or judgments about ideas or things. Adaptability to making generalizations, evaluations, or decisions based on sensory or judgmental criteria. Adaptability to making generalizations, evaluations, or decisions based on measurable or verifiable criteria. Adaptability to dealing with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Adaptability to performing repetitive work or to performing continuously the same work, according to set procedures, sequence, or pace. Adaptability to performing under stress when confronted with emergency, critical, or unusual situations. Adaptability to performing a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of a different nature without loss of efficiency or composure. Ability to maintain both a high standard of courtesy and cooperation in dealing with co-workers, patients, and visitors and satisfactory job performance despite the stress of a hospital work environment.

TOOLS/EQUIPMENT

• Standard medical and nursing equipment, special equipment or office equipment found in the assigned area.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• The worker is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.
• The worker is subject to food spills and wet spots on floor surfaces.

Our Commitment Rooted in our Mission and Core Values, we honor the dignity of every person and recognize the unique perspectives, experiences, and talents each colleague brings. By finding common ground and embracing our differences, we grow stronger together and deliver more compassionate, person-centered care. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law. Trinity Health is one of the largest not-for-profit, faith-based health care systems in the nation. Together, we're 121,000 colleagues and nearly 36,500 physicians and clinicians caring for diverse communities across 27 states. Nationally recognized for care and experience, our system includes 101 hospitals, 126 continuing care locations, the second largest PACE program in the country, 136 urgent care locations, and many other health and well-being services. Based in Livonia, Michigan, in fiscal year 2023, we invested $1.5 billion in our communities through charity care and other community benefit programs. For more information, visit http://www.trinity-health.org. You can also follow Trinity Health on LinkedIn.