Job Description

GENERAL SUMMARY:

_ _Reports to the Director of Nutrition of FSNC and provides nutritional assessment, support and consultation to patients and families referred from clinics and physicians.  Based on clinical data, physicians orders, and patients' lifestyle, develops with patient or caretaker a realistic plan for adherence to a prescribed regime.  Serves as a nutrition resource for staff, students and appropriate community groups.  May provide services in satellite health centers as arranged and may develop specific areas of specialization. 

_ _PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

•  Provides nutritional assessment of each patient based on the patient's medical records and nutritional history.
• Develops an individualized diet plan (based on the evaluation) and counsels the patient and, if necessary, the family, including the planning, purchasing, the preparation of foods to meet the patient's individual needs.
• Follows progress of patients on successive visits and makes appropriate changes in care plan.
• Maintains the necessary patient records and statistics including written evaluations, progress notes, and assessments.
• Teaches and precepts students; supervises their progress in evaluating patients, planning dietary programs, counseling and interacting with patients, and recording treatment information.
• Plans, implements and evaluates need for group sessions, other clinic appropriate activities
• Coordinates nutritional services with medical services.
• Provides formal classroom instruction to students, particularly within one's area of
• expertise/specialization, as required.
• Provides, upon request, nutritional consultations to member of medical staff.
• Performs necessary administrative duties such as scheduling patient appointments, reviewing medical records, records billing information, and obtains patient referral numbers for insurance.
•  Participates, as required, in nutrition related studies and projects.
• Provides in-service education to the patient care team, as required.
• Assists in the training of new personnel.
• Acts as a resource to community groups regarding nutrition and gives presentations and lectures at professional meetings and to community groups.
• Assists in the preparing of yearly goals and works toward meeting the agreed upon goals.
• Participates in special projects to enhance the activities and image of the Frances Stern Nutrition Center.
• Uses Professional Practice guidelines for outpatient services.
• Monitors monthly revenue reports, assists team with actions as necessary to meet budget requirements.
• Evaluates customer survey results and participates in service improvement programs as necessary.
• Consistently applies the corporate values of respect, honesty and fairness and the constant pursuit of excellence in improving the health status of the people of the region through the provision of customer-friendly, geographically accessible and high-value services within the environment of a comprehensive integrated academic health care system.

 ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS:

•  Reports to the Director of Nutrition of the FSNC.

• Knowledge and training applicable to the age-specific needs of the patient population treated.

• Knowledge of medial nutrition therapy protocols for patient use necessary.

  _ _

THE PRECEDING DATA ARE INTENDED TO CONVEY INFORMATION ESSENTIAL TO MAKING FAIR PAY DECISIONS ABOUT THE JOB AND ARE NOT EXHAUSTIVE LISTS OF THE SKILLS, EFFORTS, DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES OR WORKING CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH IT.

Qualifications

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

•  Registered Dietitian credential required
• Master's degree in Public Health, Education or Nutrition preferred
• Massachusetts licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist required
• One year experience in clinical nutrition or public health preferred
• Counseling/Teaching experience desirable

AGE SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES:

Possesses and  applies the skills and knowledge necessary to provide care to patients throughout the life span, with consideration of aging processes, human development stages and cultural patterns in each step of the care process. This includes:

•  Knowledge of growth and development
• Ability to interpret age specific data and response to care
• Provide age specific communication)

JOB KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Analytical skills needed for assessing patients and developing care plans.

• Interpersonal skills needed for interacting effectively with patients and their families, students and members of the health care team.

EDUCATION:

• Master's degree in Public Health, Education or Nutrition preferred.

EXPERIENCE:

• An equivalent combination of education and experience which provides proficiency in the areas of responsibility listed above may be substituted for the above education and experience requirements.

LICENSES,ETC. :

• Registered Dietitian credential and Massachusetts Dietitian/Nutritionist licensure is required

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

•  Inpatient and outpatient clinic patient care areas. Occasional exposure to sick patients and bodily substances.

Additional Information All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES STATEMENT:

Must be able to perform all essential functions of this position with reasonable accommodation if disabled.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed, as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Tufts Medical Center reserves the right to modify position duties at any time, to reflect process improvements and business necessity.

COVID-19 POLICY:

Please note that effective October 1, 2021, as a condition of employment at Tufts Medical Center, all employees and new hires must have received their complete dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, unless they have been granted an exemption.