Dietitian

Virginia Mason Franciscan Health has a rich history of providing exceptional healthcare, dating back to 1891. Building upon a legacy of compassionate care and innovation, our organization has evolved over the years through strategic partnerships and integrations to expand our reach and services across the Puget Sound area.

Today, as Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, we remain deeply committed to healing the whole person – body, mind, and spirit – in the communities we serve. This commitment is strengthened by the diverse expertise and shared values brought together through our growth.

Our dedicated providers offer a full spectrum of health care services, from routine wellness to complex disease management, all grounded in rigorous research and education. Our comprehensive network of 10 hospitals and nearly 300 care sites strategically located across the greater Puget Sound region reflects our ongoing commitment to accessibility and comprehensive care.

We are proud of our pioneering medical advances and numerous awards and accreditations that reflect our dedication to excellence. When you join Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, you become part of a team that delivers top-quality, professional healthcare in modern, well-equipped facilities, and contributes to a legacy of service built on collaboration and shared purpose.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Performs nutritional screening on all patients using Nutrition Assignment tool or appropriate methods per department standards.

Develops maintains and modifies patient’s nutrition care plan per department standards.

• Collaborates and communicates with the multi-disciplinary team which may include participating in patient
  rounds and discharge planning and follow-up phone outreach and care.
•  Makes referrals to various FHS nutritional services as appropriate.
• Implements the delivery of nutritional care plan to patients delegating and assigning tasks to other care
  team members per departmental policies and procedures.
•  Delegates and assigns tasks to other care team members (e.g. Diet Office). Provides management with feedback
  regarding delegate’s performance and escalates issues to appropriate staff.
•  May collaborate to coordinate accurate patient meal service that is in compliance with department protocol.
  Provides nutritional counseling and education to individuals and groups.
•  Promotes nutrition education to all appropriate individuals and groups as applicable to assigned area.
•  Provides educational training and counseling to patients on specific nutrition therapies based on their diagnosis.
•  Develops organizes and presents classes on nutritional education within FHS and the community at large.
•  May provide nutritional education to dept staff to further their knowledge of nutrition modified diets and
  effective delivery of patient meals.
• Completes all required documentation in a timely accurate and thorough manner in accordance with VMFH standards.
• Completes nutrition care documentation and charting (e.g. Volume Indicators) in accordance with department-specific standards.
• Ensures codes are correctly entered.

Education/Work Experience Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and Dietetics. Completion of internship, traineeship, or coordinated undergraduate
program with consequential qualification for dietetic registration that demonstrates attainment of the requisite job
knowledge skills/abilities required. One year experience in clinical dietetics in an acute care setting preferred.

Job Knowledge/Abilities:

• Knowledge of the principles, practices, standards and requirements relating to dietetics and nutrition sciences
  and services.
• Knowledge of the internal and external medical, social and community resources applicable to matters within
  designated scope of authority.

• Ability to assess and counsel regarding nutritional needs required for health maintenance, and to evaluate
  current nutrition information.
• Ability to conduct personal adjustment counseling regarding nutritional requirements with intervention, and
  management of lifestyle and role changes.
• Ability to conceptualize, analyze, and articulate issues verbally and in writing, including math functions required
  to calculate nutritional needs.
• Ability to quickly establish relationships with clients and caregivers as indicated.
• Ability to facilitate effective communication, interpersonal and group interactions and improvement teams.
• Ability to maintain flexibility, cooperation, and participation in cross-organizational performance improvement
  activities.
• Ability to develop and prepare effective course outline(s) for educational purposes.
• Ability to read, understand and communicate in English sufficient to perform the duties of the position.
• Ability to use office equipment and automated systems/applications/software at an acceptable level.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as required by the duties of the position.
  Licensure/Certification
• Current licensure through the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics as a Registered Dietitian is required.
• Certification by the State of Washington as a Certified Dietitian (CD) is required within 90 days of employment.
• Membership in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is preferred.