Dietitian

The Dietitian oversees patient diets in accordance with physician orders and ensures nutritional adequacy of patient menus. 

• Conducts Nutritional assessments and monitoring per DNV guidelines.

• Conducts nutrition education and in-service education to meet the needs of patients and staff.

• Assesses patient's nutritional status and establishes goals for each patient within 72 hours of admission.

• Provides appropriate educational in-service to dietary and nursing departments.

• Communicates with all appropriate disciplines information regarding patient care regularly.

• Participates in patient team conferences.

• Participates on appropriate committees as appointed.

• Evaluates and approve patient menus and approves modified diets.

• Instruct patients and their families on the nutritional needs at home and appropriate ways to achieve these as ordered by the physician.

• Educates patient/family on food/drug interactions and documents appropriate notation of such in the patient medical record.

• Documents all pertinent information regarding the patient's nutritional care in the patient's medical record in a timely and consistent manner.

• Assists in planning and conducting appropriate performance improvement.

• Develops and maintains department policies and procedures.

• Operates within set departmental budget and implements cost-saving procedures.

• Correlates dietary needs with laboratory findings consistently.

• Collaborates with physicians regarding nutritional needs and suggestions.

• Closely monitors patient weight to ensure goals of gain or loss are achieved.

• Recommends and/or assists with specific nutritional patient measurements to evaluate more specific goals, i. e., calorie counts, pre-albumin/albumin monitoring, etc.

• Allots extra time and problem-solving to children who fail to thrive, are picky eaters, have digestive problems, etc., to improve nutritional status.

• Ensures flexibility and creativity in methods developed to assist children in eating.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education

• Bachelor's of Science in Nutrition, Dietetics or related degree

• Master's degree preferred

Experience

• One (1) year of clinical experience, pediatrics preferred

Licensure/Certification

• Licensed Dietitian in the state of Texas

• Registered with the Commission on Dietetic Registration