The Research Dietitian for the Heart and Lung Center is responsible for the design, implementation, and execution of nutrition-focused research protocols involving patients with congenital and acquired heart disease and children with chronic pediatric conditions affecting cardiopulmonary fitness. The populations served span the lifespan from pregnancies with fetuses affected by congenital heart disease through young adulthood.

This role provides subject-matter expertise in food-as-medicine approaches, dietary and behavioral interventions, and nutrition methodology within clinical and translational research protocols. Core responsibilities include nutrition-related data collection and analysis, anthropometric and physiological assessments, meal-based studies, menu development, nutrition education, and consultation with investigators. As required by protocol, the Research Dietitian Nutritionist conducts comprehensive nutrition assessments, including body composition, medical history, and evaluation of physical, biochemical, dietary, and other data influencing energy and nutrient requirements.

The Research Dietitian Nutritionist coordinates nutrition-related research activities, works directly with patients and research participants to deliver education and interventions, and collaborates closely with principal investigators and multidisciplinary teams. The position may function as a co‑investigator on research studies, communicate research findings, work with a high degree of independence, and provide supervision or training to other research staff as needed.

This is a Clinical Dietitian IV (4) position. In order to qualify for this level, the Registered Dietitian (RD) must have at least 6 years of pediatric or related specialty experience and hold a certification in nutrition-related subject area. If the RD is a new hire and does not hold a current certification, they are expected to obtain one during their first year of employment. If the RD is an existing employee, they must be a participating member of an RD committee and present outcomes of a process improvement project to move up the Clinical Ladder. In order to maintain this level of competence, the RD must present a process improvement project every two years.

• Assesses the nutritional status of neonates/ infants, pediatric, adolescent, adult and/or geriatric patient through documentation in the medical record. Uses parameters such as anthropometric measurements, nutrition-focused physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory values.

• Develops and revises a nutrition care plan based on information from the patient, medical record, family and health care team members.

• Incorporates current evidence-based research into practice.

• Utilizes physician/referring practitioner-driven protocols or other facility-specific processes to implement, initiate or modify order for diet or nutrition-related actions (e.g. nutrition supplements, dietary supplements, diet modifications, diet texture modifications for dentition or individual preferences, nutrition-related laboratory tests and medications, and nutrition education and counseling) consistent with specialized training where required, competence and approved clinical privileges and organization policy.

• Utilizes physician/referring practitioner-driven protocols or other facility-specific processes to manage nutrition support therapies (e.g., enteral and parenteral formula selection and rate adjustments based on energy needs or laboratory results, addition of designated medications and vitamin/mineral supplements to parenteral nutrition solutions or supplemental water for enteral nutrition, and placement of feeding tubes) consistent with specialized training where required, competence and approved clinical privileges and organization policy.

• Executes programs/services in an organized, collaborative, and customer-centered manner. Participates in process for ordering privileges required for expanded roles and enhanced activities consistent with federal and state practice acts.

• Adheres to facility confidentiality, HIPAA regulations, and patient rights policies.

• Complies with regulatory standards, including federal, state and accrediting agencies.

• Completes all required documentation, reports and logs in a timely, professional and thorough manner.

• Communicates effectively with all team members, patients and families through conferences, individual consultation and committee participation. This includes in-person, telephone, written, and electronic communication.

• Orients, mentors and trains staff and interns, as applicable.

• Advises department on patient care and food service issues.

• Assists with menu planning based for diets relevant to their specialty areas in collaboration with the food service management team.

• Follows facility and department infection control policies and procedures.

• Participates in facility-wide and department Quality Assurance/Performance Improvement (QAPI) Program and on QAPI teams to improve processes and patient care.

• Participates in and attends departmental meetings, staff development, patient care rounds and professional programs, as appropriate.

• Visits patients on assigned nursing unit(s) and contributes to every patient being visited by a member of the management or professional team at least once during their hospital stay.

• Assists and contributes to patient satisfaction goals by providing quality service.

• Projects and practices consistent ownership attributes, which provide a high level of customer service at all points of contact.

• Reads and complies with all policies and procedures of the facility, Morrison Healthcare/TouchPoint and Compass as appropriate.

• Follows all security procedures for facility and department.

• Responds to utility failures per department policy.

• Follows facility, department, Morrison Healthcare/TouchPoint, and Compass safety policies and procedures to include incident reporting.

• Wears name tag identification and is aware of role in minimizing security incidents.

• Follows the facility’s protocols for Hazardous Materials and Waste Program.

• Adheres to Emergency Preparedness Program. Participates in disaster drills as appropriate.

• Adheres to Life Safety Program and participates in fire drills as appropriate.

• Performs other tasks that may be assigned.

• Telehealth:* Complies with all telehealth federal, state and local regulations (e.g. Health Department, HIPPA/ Privacy Act, Joint Commission, DNV-GL, quality assurance, safety operations and personnel) by keeping abreast of the most recent policies and standards of practice.* Provides telehealth from home (distant location): Maintains an office which safeguards private patient information, medical team/operations conversations and PHI access (e.g., complies with Remote Work Agreements per Aramark and client requirements)* Ability to work independently and manage time efficiently.* Demonstrates ability to receive constructive feedback and then incorporate into telehealth communications to improve performance.* Demonstrates ability to quickly establish rapport and therapeutic alliances via approved telehealth modality (e.g., phone, video, or digital) with a diverse population of patients, care givers and medical team* Provide medical nutrition therapy and nutrition education to patients via approved telehealth modality e.g., phone, video, or digital). * Submits data to measure key performance indicators (KPIs) (e.g., Clinical Productivity, chart audits, revenue from outpatient services, etc.)* Present for online webinars and trainings if needed.

• Set and clearly communicate team goals and priorities in alignment with departmental goals and budgets

• Develop the budget and assign resources to meet the team goals

• Provide the resources and guidance required for employees to perform effectively

• Develop procedures to ensure high safety and quality, and course-correct as needed

• Identify customers’ needs and ensure service excellence in meeting those needs

• Be the link between the department and the team in defining the strategies to meet team goals

• Provide prompt and clear feedback to staff and support their performance

• Ensure team adherence to organizational regulations

• Manage the working environment to promote productivity and motivation

• Represent the team in clearing obstacles to high performance

• Hire staff and develop their capabilities

• Monitor and promote strong employee engagement

• Encourage and share new ways of making the right work easier to do

• Recognize and share incremental improvements in operations

• Promote the success of organizational and department initiatives by clearly aligning programs to the mission