Nutritionist

JOB SUMMARY:

The Nutritionist provides medical nutrition therapy to patients, based upon his/her specialty training, through an interdisciplinary and collaborative approach that takes into consideration the psychosocial aspects of both health and disease. S/he additionally provides medical nutrition therapy direction and, and general oversight for nutrition services within the organization.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Analytical and Critical Thinking

• Maintains the standard of clinical care, using nutritional diagnostic testing appropriately yet cost-effectively, and providing appropriate nutritional care.

• Provides services designed to meet the individual patient’s needs in literacy, motivation with medical and psychological diagnoses.

• Assesses for barriers and assets in a patient’s social environment that are likely to affect nutrition outcomes. 

Patient Focus

• Demonstrates professionalism and integrity in all aspects of patient care.

• Effectively engages patients in their care.  

• Addresses patient nutritional concerns brought up during visit, and documents assessment and plan for these concerns. 

Teamwork

• Fosters a collaborative work environment

• Functions as the primary clinical nutrition consultant for CBHC. 

• Works with peers to implement improvements to work flow or to the workplace.

• Participates in one or more ongoing medical group visits as a nutrition advocate.--when this starts, if possible, based on staffing.

• Works within organization to increase provision of nutritional services.

• Participates in interdisciplinary programs to promote and improve the nutritional status of CBHC patients.

• Participates in internal committees and teams as requested.

Communication

• Returns patient calls within 2 working days, unless voicemail message indicates otherwise, if out of office for a period of time without access to voicemail Informs PCP of nutritional interventions, through flags, problem list up-dates, and/or visit note documentation.

• Informs CM of nutritional interventions, if applicable.

• Informs MH of nutritional interventions, if applicable.

• Informs MST of nutritional interventions, if applicable.

• Keep staff clinicians informed of developments in nutritional services.  

• Provides direction to the organization with respect to nutritional services.

• Represents CBHC to the medical and patient communities, as well as the community at-large, as a source of nutritional expertise.

• Participates when requested to serve in memberships on committees.

• Participates when requested to participate in community activities.

• Participates when requested to be a media contact. 

• Reads and responds to e-mail in a timely manner (within 2 working days), unless out of office indicates otherwise

Checking, Examining, and Recording

• Bills all encounters.

• Maintains complete and comprehensive documentation.

• Consistently completes progress notes of patient encounters by end of the next business day.  

• Health habits and risk factors are documented in at least 90% of patients seen at least 3 times for nutritional services.

• Nutritional self-management goal has been documented/updated within one year for at least 65% of patients seen at least twice for nutritional services.

Workplace Computers and Equipment

• Utilizes EMR resources to manage patient care, including flags and referrals.

• Uses “out of office” functions in EMR, Outlook, and phone system to make staff aware of absences. 

Compliance, Policy, and Procedure

• Keeps current with respect to organizational policies and procedures, and puts them into practice.

Willingness to Learn

• Takes active steps to keep current in new developments within the field of nutrition

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• In-depth knowledge of nutritional models

• Strong communication, research, presentation, and creative skills

• Basic navigation knowledge of electronic medical record applications such as CPS 12 and ability to learn new computer skills

• Maintain sensitivity to religious, ethnic and cultural differences in others and show respect and empathy.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• Required: minimum of Bachelor’s Degree in Nutrition or Dietetics, Master’s preferred.

•  Required: Board certified

• 2 years’ experience as a professional nutritionist

• Must be a Registered Dietitian (RD) OR a Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) and maintain a current and valid Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist (LDN) license in Maryland.

• Understanding of diabetic nutrition a plus

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