JOB SUMMARY

The Dietitian at North Mississippi Health Services is responsible for conducting nutritional assessments, developing care plans, and monitoring patients' progress to ensure effective medical nutrition therapy. They provide individual counseling to patients with specific dietary needs, teach diet services to staff, and mentor peers and assistants in patient care. The role requires strong communication skills, adherence to regulatory standards, budgetary awareness, and the ability to work independently, make informed decisions, and collaborate with various healthcare professionals. |

JOB FUNCTIONS

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Nutritional Assessment/Care Plans:

• Assesses patients/residents as referred by the physician or nurse, as determined to be high nutritional risk or per regulatory requirements and develops plans for medical nutrition therapy.
• Monitors patients'/residents' progress to assure efficacy of chosen nutrition therapy and recommends changes in therapy to the physician.
• Implements plans as ordered.
• Per policy guidelines rounds on patients and residents.
• Participates in patient satisfaction programs.

Education:

• Counsels patients/clients individually with a wide variety of disease-specific needs as appropriate for age.
• Teaches diet in services to food nutrition staff as needed.
• Mentors less experienced peers and Dietitian's Assistants in patient care.
• Trains dietetic interns, as assigned.

Communication:

• Discusses patient's/resident's nutrition problems with the healthcare team, as appropriate; documents pertinent information and recommendations in the medical record.
• Serves on patient care teams to improve specific patients' care.
• Communicates need for changes in food service and clinical standards appropriately within FNS.
• Collects & submits data/information in a timely manner for Performance Improvement &other required reports.
• Communicates changes in patient/resident food services to Nursing & other departments, as appropriate.
• Communicates schedule, operational & procedural changes to all customers effectively and timely.
• Assists in programs for all internal and external customers to help meet their expectations and needs.
• Complies and submits data and reports assigned appropriately and on a timely basis.
• Rounds on patients and residents.
• Work Closely6 with CDM it ensures that food staff is compliant with regulations -policies/procedures.

Budget:

• Assists in budget requests and planning as needed, and is aware of status of budgetary adherence.
• Demonstrates and participates in controlling costs and minimizing waste.

Safe Food Handling & Sanitation:

• Complies with proper food sanitation & complies with State Board of Health Standards.
• Must perform monthly and prn sanitation rounds in kitchen and report findings to director and administrator.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education Education Level Education Details Required/Preferred Bachelor's DegreeB. S. degree in Foods & Nutrition or qualifying nutrition-related major.

Required And Other (Experience)Maintains continuing education requirements.

Required Licenses and Certifications Licenses and Certifications Licenses and Certifications Details Time Frame Required/ Preferred Registered or registry-eligible, defined by Commission on Dietetic Registration / American Dietetic AssociationUpon HireRequiredAnd State licensure is required, or be ablewithin 60 DaysRequiredAnd Serve Safe Certification or achieved inwithin 1 YearPreferred Work Experience Number of Years Work Experience Details Required/ Preferred Knowledge Skills and Abilities Knowledge, Skills, Abilities Required/Preferred Proficiency Has basic computer skills and knowledge.

RequiredN/ADemonstrates nutrition care competency with assigned populations eg. Infants, children, adolescent, adult, geriatricsRequiredN/AUses the breadth of the facility's, department's, and area resources to solve patient-care problems.

RequiredN/AKnowledgeable about and adheres to current regulatory-agency standards in area of practice.

RequiredN/AInterprets and utilizes current nutrition and medical research and changes practice accordingly.

RequiredN/ADevelops educational materials, incorporating new knowledge and accommodating different literacy levels.

RequiredN/AAdheres to NMHS's mission, vision & values regarding quality patient care and customer service.

RequiredN/AParticipates in community outreach activities; responds to nutritional questions from the community.

RequiredN/ASelf starter, works independently, balances a variety tasks.

RequiredN/APrioritizes work; demonstrates teamwork, works with FNS staff to meet patient's/resident's nutritional needs.

RequiredN/AServes as an assistant to Director and Directs Food Services in the absence of the Director -assist in department in whichever role is neededRequiredN/ATake call with CDM to ensure adequate coverage in the Food services DepartmentRequiredN/AFrequent contact with internal & external customers; ie: patients /residents, visitors, Medical staff, Nurses, other healthcare professionals, FNS staff and dietetic interns.

RequiredN/AWorks cooperatively with fellow team members to ensure positive and productive work atmosphere.

RequiredN/AEffectively and professionally consults with physicians, nurses, pharmacists, speech pathologists and other health care providers on alternate choices of medical nutrition therapy as appropriate.

RequiredN/AServes as a FNS representative for patients with complex nutritional needs and who have food service issues.

RequiredN/ARegularly recognizes and acknowledges staff for a job well done.

RequiredN/AReflects a positive, caring attitude toward all patients, staff and the public.

RequiredN/AResolves customer complaints and consumer questions appropriately and effectively.

RequiredN/ADemonstrates adherence to NMHS' Mission, Vision and Values Statement and to Service Excellence Standards.

Required

N/A SCOPE

Freedom To Act:

Problem Solving:

Impact:

Financial Responsibility:

Sales Revenue Target Responsibility:

Approval Responsibility:

P & L Responsibility:

Assets Controlled:

• Controllable Expenses (e.g., Payroll and other budgeted items):

Total Financial Responsibility:

Budget Responsibility

Primary Budget Responsibility:

Shared Budget Responsibility:

_We believe a career is more than just a career - it's a calling. Our teammates' \"True North\" is what calls them to health care; it's their passion. At North Mississippi Health Services, we believe in helping you leverage and connect that passion with a much greater purpose that impacts people you know and love._ #NMHSConnections