Clinical Dietitian-Days

JOB SUMMARY

At Houston Methodist, the Clinical Dietitian 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.

PATIENT AGE GROUP(S) AND POPULATION(S) SERVED
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.

HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS

• 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.
• Focuses on patient/customer safety
• 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 rounds with patients/customers to ensure their needs are being met
• Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports byenabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job

• Displays cultural humility, diversity, equity and inclusion principles

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

PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

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

PEOPLE - 20%

1. 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. (EF)
2. 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. (EF)
3. Conducts self in a manner that is congruent with cultural diversity, equity and inclusion principles. Contributes towards improvement of department scores for employee engagement, i.e. peer-to-peer accountability. (EF)

SERVICE - 25%

1. 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. (EF)
2. 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 (EF)
3. Contributes towards improvement of department score for patient satisfaction, through peer-to-peer accountability to service standards. (EF)

QUALITY/SAFETY - 25%

1. 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. (EF)
2. 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. (EF)
3. 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. (EF)

FINANCE - 15%

1. 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. (EF)
2. 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. Meets labor productivity standards by effectively managing established patient load assignments. (EF)

GROWTH/INNOVATION - 15%

1. Maintains professional development competencies by reviewing research for application to practice. Maintains semi-annual professional portfolio for professional growth. (EF)
2. 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. (EF)
3. 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. (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.

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

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

o 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

CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES AND REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED

o Registered Dietitian certified by Commission on Dietetic Registration, by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

o Licensed Dietitian by Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation or obtain licensure within 60 days of employment

o American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) preferred

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED

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

o 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

o 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

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

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

o Possesses comprehensive computer knowledge including Microsoft products

o 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

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

Work Attire Yes/No

Uniform No

Scrubs Yes

Business professional Yes

Other (dept approved) Yes

On-Call* No

*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (i.e. Disaster, Severe Weather Event, etc.) regardless of selection above.

Travel**

May require travel within Yes

Houston Metropolitan area

May require travel outside No

of Houston Metropolitan area

**Travel specifications may vary by department.

Please note any other special considerations to this job: Work overtime according to patient care and / or departmental needs

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Since 1998, Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital has been serving Fort Bend and the surrounding counties. Residents have come to rely on a level of compassionate care and leading-edge technology that was once available only in the Texas Medical Center. Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital tied for No. 4 in Houston and No. 6 (three-way tie) in Texas in U.S. News & World Report’s best hospital rankings in 2020. With 316 operating beds, 24 operating rooms and over 2,400 employees, Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital was designed to provide comprehensive, personalized care for the community.