Job Description

Registered Dietitian (R.D.) provides medical nutrition therapy to pediatric patients (from infancy to age 18 years) who may be well or acutely, critically and chronically ill. Serves as a resource for caregivers patients, and their families. Assesses the nutritional status of patients. Develops, documents and implements the nutritional plan based on the assessment results. Effectively counsel patients and families for improved nutritional outcomes. Participates with interdisciplinary teams to promote nutritional care. Develops and presents educational in-services to the medical team.

Evidenced Based Clinical Practice

Assess the nutritional status of inpatients and as necessary, outpatients at very high or high risk. This includes: history; lab review and interpretation; nutrition focused physical exam including but not limited to: heights, weights, skin folds and head measurements; medication analysis; disease analysis and educational needs of the patient and caregivers/family.

Develop, document and implement the nutritional plan based on the assessment results.

Participate in interdisciplinary team rounds to promote nutritional care.

Serve as a community resource, especially for home care and area pediatricians.

Education/Lifelong Learning

Provide education and counseling to caregivers, pediatric patients, and their families.

Provide education to MD's, RN's and other disciplines as needed.

Round with physicians to provide advice, monitor patient status and make adjustments to therapy as needed.

Provide guidance and instruction to diet technicians and nutrition assistants.

Serve as a mentor/trainer for new staff and dietetic interns.

Process Improvement

Participates fully in all department QI activities and maintains monthly stats and reports. Complete interdisciplinary chart audits and peer reviews.

Identify clinical safety issues and/or department business or efficiency issues and communicate to appropriate stakeholders.

Clinical Leadership and Expertise

Participate in developing and implementing practice protocols to provide continuous quality improvement in all aspects of nutritional therapy. Participate in hospital research as requested.

Keep up-to-date on research in nutrition and educate staff and students on nutritional issues; act as a preceptor for students in nutrition.

Demonstrates knowledge of the age-related differences and needs of patients in appropriate, specific populations from pre-term neonate through adolescence and applies them to practice. Demonstrates cultural sensitivity in all interactions with patients/families.

Demonstrates support for the mission, values and goals of the organization through behaviors that are consistent with Connecticut Children's Medical Center Standards.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Provides supervision, guidance and instruction to dietetic technicians, nutrition assistants and dietetic interns.

Education and/or Experience Required:

• Bachelor or Master's of Science in Nutrition or completion of Didactic Program in Dietetics in accordance with Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) of the American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics leading to registration eligibility.

Education and/or Experience Preferred:

• Two to Five years pediatric experience preferred.

License and/or Certification Required:

• American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Healthcare Provider required within 6 months of hire.
• Registered Dietitian (R.D.) with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) of the American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics preferred and required within 6 months of hire.
• CT State Certification (CD-N) is required on hire, exception is new grad required within 6 months of hire.
• Registration eligibility is that established by the Committee on Dietetic Registration and may include Completion of an
• Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics along with
  
  •Accredited Dietetic Internship Program.
  
  OR
  
  •Accredited Coordinated Program.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge:

• Medical Nutrition Therapy in accordance with Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics standards.
• Medical Terminology.
• Drug Nutrient Interactions.
• Pediatric genetic/metabolic disease states

Skills:

• Proficiency with electronic health and medical records, Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point and Access programs.

Abilities:

• Accurate Keyboarding abilities and math skills required.