For more than 50 years the mission of CHI Health Missouri Valley has been to nurture and enhance the quality of life for residents of Harrison County in Iowa. As a community hospital its ongoing commitment is to keep residents in good health. Through the years CHI Health Missouri Valley has strived to improve the health status of southwest Iowa residents – children teens adults senior citizens friends and neighbors. CHI Health Missouri Valley is proud to offer health care services – close to home – within this community.

Job Summary / Purpose

This position contributes to the mission and vision of CHI Health by serving as a member of the professional health care team and planning the nutritional care of individuals and groups for health maintenance.  Assesses nutritional needs, develops and implements nutritional care plans, and evaluates and reports these results appropriately.  Coordinates with department leaders at each individual campus.

Essential Key Job Responsibilities

1. Practices and performs at the minimum competent level as outlined by the current Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Scope of Practice in Nutrition and Dietetics (SOP) and Standards of Professional Performance for Registered Dietetics (SOPP).
2. Develops and implements a patient plan of care based on evidence-based practice and an assessment of nutritional needs.
3. Interprets, evaluates, and utilizes pertinent current research related to nutritional care.
4. Evaluates nutritional interventions and provides follow up to ensure continuity of care.
5. Counsels individuals and families in nutritional principles, dietary plans, and food selection, adapting plans to the individual.  
6. Clearly and concisely communicates appropriate nutritional care data through all record systems.
7. Participates in health team meetings and serves as the expert on nutritional care.
8. Promotes communication between departments as a patient advocate to facilitate patient care.  Provides nutrition education to hospital personnel and community.

Diabetes Educator:

1. Conducts a thorough individualized assessment of the person with or at risk for diabetes.  Works with the person with or at risk for diabetes to identify mutually acceptable diabetes self-management training (DSMT) outcomes and behavioral objectives.
2. Provides diabetes education according to the individualized plan of care and desired outcomes.  Develops the self-management training plan to attain the mutually defined outcomes.  The plan integrates current diabetes care practices and established principles of teaching and learning.  The plan is coordinated among the healthcare team members, the participant, referring provider, and other relevant support systems.
3. Coordinates/provides individual/group education sessions for diabetic outpatients.
4. Provides leadership in maintaining and developing diabetic education program standards, policies, and procedures.
5. Maintains on-going evaluation of the diabetes education program. Assists in Quality Improvement activities related to patients with diabetes.

Minimum Qualifications