Under the general supervision of the Assistant Vice-President of Nursing, the Clinical Dietitian plans, directs and provides all aspects of nutritional care to patients. This includes all inpatients and may include outpatient programs as well.

The Clinical Dietitian must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served by his/her department – adolescent through geriatric. The Clinical Dietitian must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span; possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status; interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to the populations served by the hospital; and to provide the care needed as described in the Patient Care and Medical Nutrition Services policies and procedures.

Type of supervision exercised: Team Leader. Jobs reporting to this position: Diet Technician and Diet Clerk.

EDUCATION:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in nutrition or dietetics required.

Advanced degree preferred.

WORK EXPERIENCE:

One (1) year experience in a health care institution preferred.

SPECIAL EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS:

Must be registered by the Commission on Registration of the American Dietetic Association.

Must be licensed as a Dietitian by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Clearances required: PA State Police criminal history check, PA Department of Public Welfare Child Abuse Central Register (Childline), PA Department of Human Services FBI fingerprint clearance and PA Department of Aging FBI fingerprint clearance (if applicable).

Good verbal and written communication skills and interpersonal skills required for effective communication with management team, medical staff, nursing and other related departments and staff.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Sedentary Work_:_ duties require exerting up to 10 lbs. of force occasionally (approx 10-33% of shift) and/or a negligible amount of force frequently (approx 33-66% of the time) to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move articles such as files.

Involves sitting most of the time, but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time.

Ability to transport self throughout facility is required.

ACCIDENT OR HEALTH HAZARDS:

No unusual accident or health hazards inherent in position.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Works in a well-lit office environment.

Required Skills

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES OF JOB:

E = Essential Element                       NE = Nonessential Element

40%  Completes nutritional assessments for all newly admitted patients and reviews the diet order for appropriateness. (E)

20% Develops nutritional care plans for patients identified with nutritional needs.     Updates the nutritional care plans we warranted. (E)

15 %  Together with the diet technician interviews patients to obtain information regarding eating habits and preferences for guidance in planning the patient's menu.   (E)

10% Provides diet counseling for all patients on therapeutic/modified diets who require it.   Documents this education in the medical record. (E)

5 % Plans regular and modified diet menus, considering such factors as variety, seasons of year, availability of food, known food preferences of the group, nutritional and caloric content, and food costs. (E)

5% Documents additional nutritional assessments/reassessments in the medical record.

1%  Attends Patient Care Staffing as appropriate to the patient. Reports Medical Nutrition Services performance improvement at the appropriate committees and as appropriate is a member of other hospital committees. (E)

1%  Serves as a resource individual in nutritional care for medical and nursing staff. (E)

1% Together with the AVP Nursing develops, reviews and revises medical nutritional services policies as necessary. (E)

1% Maintains professional growth and development through seminars, conferences and professional affiliations. (E)

1% May be required to perform duties of Diet Technician and Diet Clerk as necessary.   (NE)

Required Experience

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES OF JOB:

E = Essential Element                       NE = Nonessential Element

40%  Completes nutritional assessments for all newly admitted patients and reviews the diet order for appropriateness. (E)

20% Develops nutritional care plans for patients identified with nutritional needs.     Updates the nutritional care plans we warranted. (E)

15 %  Together with the diet technician interviews patients to obtain information regarding eating habits and preferences for guidance in planning the patient's menu.   (E)

10% Provides diet counseling for all patients on therapeutic/modified diets who require it.   Documents this education in the medical record. (E)

5 % Plans regular and modified diet menus, considering such factors as variety, seasons of year, availability of food, known food preferences of the group, nutritional and caloric content, and food costs. (E)

5% Documents additional nutritional assessments/reassessments in the medical record.

1%  Attends Patient Care Staffing as appropriate to the patient. Reports Medical Nutrition Services performance improvement at the appropriate committees and as appropriate is a member of other hospital committees. (E)

1%  Serves as a resource individual in nutritional care for medical and nursing staff. (E)

1% Together with the AVP Nursing develops, reviews and revises medical nutritional services policies as necessary. (E)

1% Maintains professional growth and development through seminars, conferences and professional affiliations. (E)

1% May be required to perform duties of Diet Technician and Diet Clerk as necessary.   (NE)