Clinical Dietitian I

Where You’ll Work

Founded in 1956, Dignity Health - Memorial Hospital is a 385-bed, acute care, nonprofit hospital located in Bakersfield, California. Serving nearly 100,000 patients annually, the hospital offers a full complement of services including heart care, maternity care, and orthopedics. Additionally, Memorial Hospital has been recognized as an LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. It is a Joint Commission-certified Primary Stroke Center, and its Lauren Small Children’s Center is the first comprehensive pediatric program in Kern County.

One Community. One Mission. One California

Job Summary and Responsibilities

As a Clinical Dietitian, you will provide expert nutrition care, developing and implementing individualized plans to improve patient health outcomes. Every day you will clearly communicate nutritional data across all systems and participate in health team meetings as the resident nutrition expert. To be successful in this role, you will integrate robust clinical expertise with empathetic, evidence-based care, consistently adhering to professional standards and fostering effective communication with patients and healthcare teams.

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 levels of care.

Implements targeted and specific nutrition intervention(s). Provides customized nutrition education to patients and/or families and caregivers. Works within an interdisciplinary environment 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.

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.

Collaborates with the Food and Nutrition Services team to enhance patient experience. This includes participating in test trays, menu reviews, periodic auditing of trayline for accuracy of diet orders, validating menu compliance with the facility Diet Manual Handbook and Nutrition Care Manual (NCM), supporting with patient interactive positions (i. e. dietitians, diet clerks, interns, etc.), maintaining communication with patients, staff, and guests and providing excellent customer service. 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.

Job Requirements

Minimum Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree with completion of accredited dietitian program (ACEND – Accreditation Councils for Education in Nutrition Dietetics)

Valid registration as a Registered Dietitian with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). Current (within the past 12 months) ServSafe® Allergen and Food Handler Certifications. If not currently certified, certification to be obtained within 30 days of hire