Dietitian

Summary of Responsibilities

The renal dietitian provides services to hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis patients and their families in clinical, hospital or extended care settings to support and maximize the nutritional functioning and education of the patient.

Position Responsibilities

Patient Care

• Assesses the nutritional status of the patient to determine appropriate nutrition intervention and recommendations.
• Reviews medical and diet history, consults with medical staff, the patient or patient’s family, documents appropriate information in the medical record.
• In consultation with the attending physician, recommends therapeutic diets including protein, phosphorus, calorie, sodium, potassium, and fluid intake. Implements all orders and care plans related to nutrition therapy according to PCD policy and procedures.
• Monitors nutritional status, lab values, dialysis adequacy, adherence to diet and response to nutrition related medications and therapy.
• Reviews results of lab tests each month with each patient and/or care giver.
• Participates with the patient care team in the development and review of both the short term and long-term care plan programs. Revise and update nutritional recommendations and care plan as needed.
• Provides nutrition education and counseling based on individualized patient needs, including nutrient requirements, physical and mental abilities and economic means.
• Functions as Bone Metabolism Specialist.

Planning, Coordinating, and Organizing

• Participates in the development of nutrition education materials as needed. Conducts individual or group nutrition patient education classes as appropriate.
• Revises and updates nutritional recommendations and nutritional care plan as needed.
• Evaluates outcomes and identify factors occurring to protocol and policies and procedures that may contribute to undesirable results.
• Participates in rounds, monthly patient care conferences, facility team meetings, and in-services and in the CQI program.

Communication Skills

• Establishes effective relationships with patient care teams.
• Establishes effective relationships that nurture trust with patients, family, and caregivers.
• Contacts and collaborates with extended care facility staff, family members for appropriate nutritional care.
• Effectively communicates pertinent nutrition issues with the patient care team.
• Presents nutrition-related in-services for facility staff on an annually basis or as the need arises.

Documentation

• Documents according to PCD, and State and Federal regulations.
• An initial assessment must be completed within the first 30 days of admission, transfer to facility or modality change, according to policy and procedure.
• Required documentation: Annual Nutrition Assessment, monthly nutrition progress report, revised on long-term care plan annually; short-term care plan every six months for stable patients and monthly for unstable patients.

Other

• May be required to work flexible schedule to meet patient care needs.
• May be hired to work multiple facilities.
• Required to attend initial training, meetings for dietitians.
• Other duties as assigned.

Position Qualifications

• Current licensure to practice dietetics in State of practice.
• Registered dietitian states with American Dietetic Association.
• Bachelor’s Degree or higher in nutrition/dietetics.
• Minimum of one year of experience in clinical nutrition.
• Good communication skills.