Registered Dietitian - Clinical Practice

Primary Purpose Provides nutritional education and nutritional patient care to assigned patient population to ensure that patients receive optimal nutritional care at Parkland. MINIMUM SPECIFICATIONS Education: Must have a Bachelor's degree in Food and Nutrition.

Experience: Must have one year of related dietetic experience in an acute care setting through an American Dietetic Association coordinated undergraduate program OR, an American Dietetic Association accredited internship program.

Equivalent Education and/or Experience: May have an equivalent combination of education and/or experience in lieu of specific education and/or experience as stated above.

Certification/Registration/Licensure: Must be a registered dietitian with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (A.N.D.). and be licensed to practice dietetics by the Texas Board of Dietitians; OR must obtain registration and licensure within (6) six months of employment.

Skills or Special Abilities: Must be able to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with departmental personnel, hospital staff, and patients.

Must be able to demonstrate basic computer skills with a working knowledge of data base programs, data report analysis software, and electronic medial record charting. May be required to demonstrate an advanced knowledge of nutrition and patient education skills. Must be able to demonstrate patient centered/patient valued behaviors.

Responsibilities Screens patients for nutritional risk, when applicable. Assesses nutritional status, and consults with physicians and support staff. Develops individualized care plans in accordance with each patient’s, preferences, age, disease state, and resources.

Calculates age appropriate calorie and protein needs, and modifies diet based on needs. Documents pertinent objective and subjective data pertaining to patient status and care. Instructs, educates, and counsels patients of all ages and their significant others in nutritional therapy.

Individualizes instructions based on patient’s lifestyle, preferences, resources, ethnicity, language, and literacy level. Provides age appropriate educational material and adapts teaching method based on needs. Teaches classes on medical nutrition therapy as appropriate.

Makes appropriate documentation, including assessment of comprehension and follow-up needs, in the patient’s charts and records. Reassesses nutritional status, and consults with physicians and support staff.

Schedules follow-up assessments at appropriate intervals to monitor progress.

Participates on committees and/or interdisciplinary teams, for providing patient care expertise, problem solving, review and revision of clinical practice guidelines, implementation of practice protocols, etc. Serves as a nutritional resource person to other health care professionals, interns, trainees, community civic groups, media, etc. Conduct research, in-services, workshops, contribute to publications, and provide other forms of continuing education to contribute to the education and understanding of nutritional services to Parkland’s internal and external customers.

Trains and/or monitors dietetic technicians, student interns or trainees, or other assigned staff in the basics of providing good nutritional care and services for professional development and to assure quality dietetic services for hospital and PHHS internal and external customers.

Parkland Health, one of the nation’s largest public hospital systems, is dedicated to delivering exceptional care to the Dallas community. A career at Parkland means joining a collaborative, engaged team focused on excellence, innovation, and patient-centered service.

Our employees are supported with resources to grow, succeed, and make a meaningful impact every day.