Clinical Dietitian PRN working Saturdays and Sundays

Clinical Dietitian PRN

At Houston Methodist, the Clinical Dietitian PRN position is responsible for functioning as an entry-level clinician for the requirements established by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND). This position is responsible for implementing nutritional care according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Nutrition Care Process (NCP) which includes, but not limited to, medical nutrition therapy, nutrition education, monitoring and reassessment of nutrition care plans, recommending consultation of adjunctive services (social services, speech pathology, immediate referral to RN re: pain assessment, etc.) as indicated, and termination of nutrition interventions as clinically indicated.

The Clinical Dietitian position functions as part of the interprofessional team to ensure quality and cost-effective interventions to ensure optimal patient safety, customer service, and optimum patient outcomes. This position works closely with the interprofessional healthcare team to provide inpatient/outpatient care that is integrated and compatible with the patient-focused goals and objectives.

Refer to departmental "Scope of Service" and "Provision of Care" plans, as applicable, for description of primary age groups and populations served by this job for the respective HM entity.

Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:

• Integrity: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.
• Compassion: We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs.
• Accountability: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.
• Respect: We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value.
• Excellence: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.

Practices the Caring and Serving Model

Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards

Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)

Intentionally collaborates with other healthcare professionals involved in patients/customers or employees' experiential journeys to ensure strong communication, ease of access to information, and a seamless experience

Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job

Actively supports the organization's vision, fulfills the mission and abides by the I CARE values

Functions as a collaborative interprofessional team member by participating in care coordination rounds. Seeks guidance from others and collaborates with all members of the interprofessional care team by actively communicating and reporting pertinent patient care information and data in a comprehensive manner.

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. Communicates regular updates to management, nursing, physicians, and other staff as needed to care for patients.

Contributes towards improvement of department scores for employee engagement, i.e. peer-to-peer accountability.

Implements nutritional care according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Nutrition Care Process (NCP) which includes, but not limited to, medical nutrition therapy, nutrition education, monitoring and reassessment of nutrition care plans, recommending consultation of adjunctive services (social services, speech pathology, immediate referral to RN re: pain assessment, etc.), as indicated, and termination of nutrition interventions as clinically indicated.

Performs Nutrition Focused Physical Assessment (NFPA) as indicated, based on NFPA findings, identifying patients with malnutrition, degree of malnutrition and whether present on admission or hospital acquired. Collaborates with health care team to document correct degree of malnutrition in electronic medical record (EMR) to ensure adequate intervention for positive outcomes.

Ensures correct degree of malnutrition and whether malnutrition is present on admission or hospital acquired is documented in the EMR for hospital financial indicators.

Contributes towards improvement of department score for patient satisfaction, through peer-to-peer accountability to service standards.

Ensures continuity of care by completing quality monitors. Identifies and documents evaluation of outcomes by completing test trays of various diets to ensure quality, consistency and accuracy of meals provided.

Provides care to patients and coordinates care with the interprofessional team. Manages usual patient assignments and other departmental demands, completes patient care responsibilities in a timely manner with accurate documentation. Uses evidence-based practice to support care and communicate directly with interprofessional team to ensure patient nutrition needs are met.

Identifies opportunities for corrective action and process improvement. Identifies areas of practice improvements with research-based evidence to achieve patient safety outcomes, supported by accurate documentation. Contributes to meeting department and hospital targets for quality and safety.

Positively impacts quality and cost outcomes by assuring optimal medical nutrition therapy to minimize potential complications related to alterations of nutrition status. Adjusts nutrition care plan to provide the most appropriate and cost-effective therapy. Ensures correct degree of malnutrition and whether malnutrition is present on admission or hospital acquired is documented in the EMR for hospital financial indicators.

Utilizes resources with cost effectiveness and value creation in mind. Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively, minimizing incidental overtime and prioritize daily tasks, assisting coworkers as needed. Meets labor productivity standards by effectively managing established patient load assignments.

Maintains professional development competencies by reviewing research for application to practice. Maintains semi-annual professional portfolio for professional growth.

Conducts interdepartmental training & mentorship to include: a minimum of one diet knowledge training session for nutrition assistants annually, mentorship of student volunteers and/or food service employees as applicable.

Seeks opportunities to identify self-development needs and takes appropriate action. Ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management. Completes and updates the My Development Plan on an on-going 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 the need arises.

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

Completion of dietetic internship accredited by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Completion of supervised practice hours (per Commission on dietetic Registration (CDR) requirements) and/or within a dietetic internship accredited by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

RD - Registered Dietician (CDR) AND

LD - License Dietitian, State Licensure within 60 days

BLS - Basic Life Support (AHA)

Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

Working knowledge of local City Food Ordinance guidelines and Health department standards

Ability to function independently and exercise judgment in interactions with physicians, interprofessional care team and patients and their families

Possesses comprehensive computer knowledge including Microsoft products

Exhibits strong interpersonal, teamwork and leadership skills with all levels of the healthcare team and assures delivery of excellent customer service to all patients, visitors, physicians and co-workers

Uniform No

Scrubs Yes

Business professional Yes

Other (department approved) Yes

On Call* No

May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes

May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital, located 35 miles east of Houston, is the area's only full-service hospital offering specialized medical care for patients at every stage in life. This 230-licensed bed hospital with 15 operating rooms and over 1,700 employees, brings Medical Center excellence and quality care close to East Harris and surrounding counties.