Clinical Dietitian Lead

CHI Memorial, a member of CommonSpirit, is an award-winning, not-for-profit, faith-based health care organization dedicated to the healing ministry of Jesus Christ. Founded by the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, we offer a comprehensive continuum of care, from preventative and primary care to acute hospital services specializing in cancer, cardiac, neuroscience, stroke, and orthopedic services. Our commitment to excellence has earned us top prestigious recognition repeatedly from U.S. News and World Report, PINC AI™, CMS, Healthgrades®, Leapfrog, and most recently as one of the Best Places to Work in Tennessee. We are proud to serve Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia with the expertise of 4,700 team members and nearly 500 affiliated physicians.

The Clinical Dietitian Lead assesses the nutritional status of the patient using recognized tools of assessment, and recommends and counsels patients, family, and /or caregivers on the appropriate nutrition plan to improve the patient's disease or condition management. The Clinical Dietitian Lead coordinates and assists with clinical nutrition administrative duties and mentors Clinical Dietitians and students. Performs administrative duties, participates in patient satisfaction, quality management, and performance improvement projects and meetings. Collaborates with the leadership in Food and Nutrition Services, as well as leadership in other departments as it relates to patient care and nutrition. Performs duties of Clinical Dietitian II on a regular basis.

• Conducts patient screening in accordance with specialized clinical guidelines for those at a specific nutritional risk. Performs nutritional assessment using age and gender appropriate standards, cultural, religious and ethnic backgrounds; and utilizing validated assessment tools resulting in nutrition related diagnosis when indicated. Conducts routine screening to identify patients at nutritional risk. Collaborates within an interdisciplinary environment to contribute to facilitating care and identifying patients at nutrition risk or needing higher level of care. 
• Supports patient interactive positions (i.e. dietitians, diet clerks, etc.) and provides for the operational needs of these positions. Collaborates in maintaining regulatory compliance (including TJC, CMS, state specific department of health, etc.) and infection control practices. Promotes a positive patient experience by maintaining communication with patients, staff, and guests and providing excellent customer service. This data is relayed to the management team and/or staff whenever necessary. 
• Develops an intervention plan which includes appropriate feeding route, mode, and nutrition prescription unique to patient's specific needs, in accordance with physicians' orders. Monitors and evaluates patient response to interventions by meeting specific measurable goals documented in the nutrition care plan in a timely and thorough manner in the medical record. Implements targeted and specific nutrition intervention(s) based on the specific medical condition. Provides customized nutrition education to patients and/or families and caregivers. Actively participates as a member of the multi-specialty, interdisciplinary care team to contribute toward overall patient care. Closely monitors, evaluates and rescreens patient nutrition status as appropriate. Updates plan of care as necessary. Follow up with patients as needed. CA Only: For neonates and pediatric patients, coordinates nutrition services with California Children's Services (CCS). Must be a California Children's Services (CCS) paneled provider if providing nutrition care to NICU or pediatric patients with a CCS-approved facility. 
• Supports in maintaining adequate staffing for clinical daily needs reflecting cost efficiency. Collaborates in the process of menu development for patients. Supports in managing the facility diet manual, as well as patient diet and nutritional compliance, and participates in hospital committees as needed (e.g. Quality and P&T committees.) May also act as the highest ranking RD as needed. Participates in peer reviews and chart audits, and collaborates in Diet Manual Handbook training for all clinical staff (new registered dietitians, nurses, therapists, physicians, etc.), including how to access it in hard and soft copy. Coordinates and leads the training/development of Clinical Dietitians I & II, patient interactive positions (i.e. dietitians, diet clerks, interns, etc.) as well as other positions as needed. This may include leading Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) training sessions and workshops for overall hospital clinical staff such as nurses, therapists, and physicians. 
• Functions routinely with high acuity patients requiring advanced competency to provide expert level of care and nutrition therapy in Neonatal intensive care units, Pediatric units, enteral/parenteral nutrition support and order writing privileges, oncology, renal, diabetes, and gerontology. 
• Other Duties as assigned by the Leader.

The job summary and responsibilities listed above are designed to indicate the general nature of the work performed within this job. They are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all job responsibilities required of employees assigned to this job. Employees may be required to perform other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience:

• Two (2) years acute hospital experience working with patients in more complex levels of care to specialized populations (e.g. pediatric, bariatric, ICU, etc.) 

   

• Bachelor's Degree with completion of accredited dietetics program (ACEND - Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition Dietetics).

Required Licensure and Certifications:

• Registered Dietitian within 3 months