PACE Registered Dietitian (Central Valley PACE - Merced)

The Registered Dietician (RD) supports the mission, vision, and values of Golden Valley Health Centers by providing nutrition care and education to Central Valley PACE participants. Evaluate the participant’s nutritional status, develop and implement nutritional care plans, assess nutrient requirements, recommend nutritional prescriptions, evaluate participant tolerance and effectiveness of nutritional care, and communicate nutritional data and information to the physicians and other health professionals.

Location: Merced Center

Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm, with 1 day per week working remotely.

Compensation: $48.00 - $52.00 an hour.

Employee Benefits

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D), and Long Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
• Retirement Savings: 403(b) plan with an employer match, Roth 403(b) option, plus a 401(a) retirement benefit after one year of service.
• Flexible Savings Account
• Work/life balance: 13 days of vacation, 11 days honored as Paid Holiday Off – 2 are half days (New Years Day and Christmas Eve Day).

Duties and Responsibilities

• Performs nutritional assessments and reassessments as indicated by nutrition standards.
• Provides nutrition education to participants/caregivers as ordered by physician and according to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards.
• Provides nutrition education to staff and the community.
• Works collaboratively with other team members implementing participant education.
• Coordination of 24-hour care delivery.
• Documents participant changes appropriately in the medical record and communicates participant changes to team members.
• Observes each participant for any change in physical, mental, emotional and social functioning and shall report such changes to the licensed nurse.
• Participates as a member of the interdisciplinary team (IDT). Attends staff meetings and takes part in participant care planning.
• Meets a standardized set of competencies for the specific position description established by Central Valley PACE and approved by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) before working independently.
• Ensures sufficient staff is oriented, and trained to provide for the nutritional needs of the patients and to maintain the service areas.
• Maintains and follows established departmental policies and procedures, objectives, quality assurance program, safety, environmental and infection control standards.
• Ability to interact professionally and respectfully with geriatric individuals including those with cognitive decline and/or physical frailties.
• Other projects and duties as assigned.

Physical Demands

• Ability to lift up to 30 pounds. Moving, lifting or transferring patients may involve lifting or pushing greater than 30 pounds, should be done with assistance as appropriate.
• Must be able to hear staff on the phone and those who are served in person, and speak clearly in order to communicate information to clients and staff.
• Must have vision, with or without lenses, adequate to read memos, a computer screen, personnel forms and clinical and administrative documents.
• Must have high manual dexterity.
• Must be able to reach above the shoulder level to work, must be able to bend, squat and sit, stand, stoop, crouching, reaching, kneeling, twisting/turning, fingering and feeling.

Work Environment

• Exposure to biohazards, including infectious material and waste and any other conditions common in a health care environment.
• Subject to unpleasant odors.

Education/Experience Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Knowledge of adult and geriatrics health, nutrition, motivational interviewing and adult learning experience.
• Excellent customer services and interpersonal skills; working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite; presentation, and training skills.
• Ability to teach; analytical thinking; and ability to provide care to geriatric participants; knowledge of clinical dietetics.
• Meet deadlines and prioritize tasks; works independently, travel as required; work flexible hours; effectively interact with community agencies, patients, and clinical personnel; complete required reports.
• Valid California Driver’s License, acceptable driving record and vehicle insurance, strongly preferred.  The ability to perform home visit assessment requires a valid California driver’s license, acceptable driving record and vehicle insurance.

Education/Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Nutrition, Health Science or closely related field, required.
• Current Registered Dietitian registration.
• Current BLS CPR Card certified by the American Heart Association
• Minimum one (1) year of health related job experience, or ability to pass internal competencies within six (6) months of hire.
• Minimum one (1) year experience working with the frail or elderly population, preferred.
• Bilingual Spanish (oral and written) highly preferred.