Senior Dietitian Location:

Rhode Island Veterans Home (VETS) 480 Metacom Avenue, Fully Onsite Bristol, Rhode Island 02809 Position Summary The Senior Dietitian serves as the clinical nutrition leader for the Rhode Island Veterans Home, overseeing all aspects of nutrition care, therapeutic diet management, and nutrition-related regulatory compliance. This position is responsible for assessing residents' nutritional needs, developing and implementing individualized nutrition care plans, supervising clinical nutrition services, and collaborating with interdisciplinary healthcare teams to promote optimal health outcomes and quality of life for Rhode Island's veteran residents. The Senior Dietitian also provides leadership and guidance to dietary personnel, supports continuous quality improvement initiatives, and ensures nutrition services meet all federal, state, and organizational standards for long-term care. Reporting Relationship Reports to designated facility leadership and works under general administrative direction. Provides supervision, training, mentorship, and professional guidance to dietitians, dietary technicians, and dietary services personnel as assigned. Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Direct and oversee the facility's clinical nutrition and therapeutic diet programs.
• Conduct comprehensive nutrition assessments and reassessments for residents in accordance with regulatory requirements and best practices.
• Develop, implement, monitor, and document individualized nutrition care plans.
• Collaborate with physicians, nurses, speech-language pathologists, social workers, and other healthcare professionals to support resident care and treatment goals.
• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings, resident care conferences, quality assurance activities, and performance improvement initiatives.
• Monitor resident nutritional status, including weight trends, laboratory data, food intake, hydration status, and nutrition-related risk factors.
• Provide nutrition counseling and education to residents, families, and caregivers regarding therapeutic diets, disease management, and healthy eating practices.
• Review, develop, and evaluate menus to ensure nutritional adequacy, resident satisfaction, and compliance with physician orders and regulatory standards.
• Assist in the management and evaluation of food service operations, including menu implementation, sanitation practices, and meal service quality.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and accreditation standards, including CMS, state health department regulations, and food safety requirements.
• Supervise, train, and evaluate dietary staff and provide ongoing professional development and education.
• Maintain accurate and timely clinical documentation and required nutrition service reports.
• Support emergency preparedness and disaster response planning related to food and nutrition services.
• Perform related duties as assigned. Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Thorough knowledge of clinical nutrition principles, medical nutrition therapy, and therapeutic diets.
• Knowledge of long-term care regulations, nutrition standards, and quality assurance practices.
• Knowledge of food service management, menu planning, food safety, and sanitation requirements.
• Ability to assess, develop, and evaluate nutrition care plans for diverse resident populations.
• Ability to interpret medical records, laboratory data, and nutrition-related clinical information.
• Strong leadership, supervisory, coaching, and staff development skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills.
• Ability to effectively educate residents, families, and staff.
• Proficiency in electronic health records and nutrition documentation systems.
• Ability to organize work, prioritize multiple responsibilities, and meet deadlines. Minimum Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Dietetics, Nutrition, Food and Nutrition, or a closely related field.
• Completion of an accredited dietetic internship or supervised practice program.
• Registration as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) or eligibility to obtain registration within a specified period of hire.
• Experience providing clinical nutrition services in a healthcare, hospital, rehabilitation, long-term care, skilled nursing, or institutional setting.
• Experience developing nutrition care plans and managing therapeutic diet programs. Equivalent combinations of education and experience that demonstrate the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered. Preferred Qualifications
• Current Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credential.
• Rhode Island licensure, if required.
• Three or more years of experience in long-term care, skilled nursing, or veterans healthcare.
• Supervisory or management experience within a clinical nutrition or dietary services environment.
• Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) or other relevant professional certifications.
• Experience with CMS and long-term care survey processes. Physical Requirements
• Ability to move throughout the facility and kitchen areas as needed.
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• May require standing, walking, bending, lifting, and carrying materials consistent with the needs of a healthcare and food service environment.
• Must meet all pre-employment and ongoing health, background, and vaccination requirements established by the Rhode Island Veterans Home and applicable regulations.

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