Job Description

Overall Objectives

This position is responsible for identifying and implementing current practices in nutrition support & leading the Nutrition Services Department in this specialty area. This position will train and educate all levels of health care professionals in nutrition support, act as a liaison between nutrition, medical staff and nursing & serve as the facilitator to support the functions of the Nutrition Support Committee.

Essential Job Functions

• Align department with strategy maps and continually work to implement drivers in support of Independence Health System’s mission and vision.
• Act promptly to resolve problems and initiate better ways of doing things by acting as a catalyst for change.
• Establish and maintain a safe working environment and ensure staff comply with safety, environmental, and infection control guidelines.
• Equitably apply policies and procedures by issuing corrective action in a fair and consistent manner.
• Assess customers’ needs, exceed customer expectations, and consider customers in decision making to improve customer satisfaction.
• Act on most urgent tasks, leverage available resources, review own workload, implement workable systems, and provide clear direction.
• This position has direct supervisory responsibilities and serves as a coach and mentor for other positions in the department.
• Management responsibilities include hiring, coaching, skills development, recognition and rewards, staff productivity and performance management.
• Supports change in a complex healthcare environment & acts promptly to resolve problems while communicating action taken.
• Serves as the lead dietitian in the critical care area.
• Communicates pertinent information during interdisciplinary patient care rounds and attends daily rounds in critical care areas.
• Facilitates the functions of the Nutrition Support Committee, plans a comprehensive nutrition support service & devises protocols for use.
• Serves as a liaison to the medical staff, nursing, dietitians in Nutritional support
• Performs performance improvement studies on clinical nutrition issues.
• Serves as a liaison between nutrition services, nursing, and medical staff for all nutrition support activities.
• Educates the dietitians, medical staff and nursing on all new protocols & guidelines to be used according to current Evidence based practice.
• Completes nutrition screening, assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring and evaluation of patients based on the current Clinical Nutrition Standards of Practice.
• Performs nutrition focused physical exams
• Identify patients at risk for malnutrition
• Diagnoses malnutrition and develops care plans.
• Determines plan for reassessment based on established standards and patients’ needs/status.
• Aids in managing the transition from enteral or parenteral nutrition to oral intake.
• Provides education and support to the patient and/or family.
• Research and recommend products for inclusion in the Independence Health Enteral Formulary.
• Maintains survey readiness with all JCAHO and Department of Health standards and regulations; as well as other regulatory agencies. Maintains manuals of meeting notes, communications, policies and procedures, and performance improvement initiatives.
• Identifies and implements revenue enhancement opportunities and measures that control costs while balancing quality.
• Interprets data to assist in evaluating the value of services provided.
• Schedules clinical staff within budgetary guidelines.
• Undertakes continuous professional development in nutrition support.
• Leads the department to review relevant current literature.
• Other duties as assigned.

Competency and Experience [Knowledge, Skills and Abilities]

Required Qualifications/Experience

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Nutrition or Food and Nutrition and three (3) to five (5) years’ experience as a clinical dietitian in the healthcare field.
• Zero (0) to Two (2) years supervisory/management experience in nutrition support services.
• Strong leadership ability, good organizational skills, independent and critical thinking skills, sound judgment, and knowledge of legal aspects and liability of clinical nutrition.
• Strong ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience.
• Strong time management; creativity in treatment in various settings including inpatient and outpatient clinics; ability to transition smoothly between various treatment settings.
• Functional Skills on PC and Related Software (Microsoft Office).
• Basic working knowledge of computers and office equipment.

Preferred Qualifications/Experience

• Master of Science Degree in Nutrition, Food & Nutrition or closely related field.
• Certification in Nutrition Support.
• Experience in a Healthcare setting.

License, Certification & Clearances

• Current Registration with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (CDR Commission on Dietetic Registration).
• Certified Nutrition Support Clinician through the National Board of Nutrition Support Certification within six (6) months of hire (CNSC).

• Current licensure with the State PA Board of Nursing.

• Act 33 with renewal
• Act 34 with renewal
• Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• Incumbents will be scheduled based on operational need (rotate shifts, standby, on call, etc.).
• Travel may be expected locally between System locations.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Independence Health and its affiliated companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. It is their policy to prohibit discrimination of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, or genetic information, or any other classification protected by law. Independence of Health and its affiliated companies will comply with all applicable laws and regulations.

Disclaimer

This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Moreover, duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Work Environment

When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.

Essential – Absolute Necessity.

Marginal – Minimal Necessity.

Constantly – 5.5 to 8 hours or more or 200 reps/shift.

Frequently – 2.5 to 5.5 hours or more or 32-200 reps/shift.

Occasionally – 0.25 to 2.5 hours or 2-32 reps/shift.

Rarely – Less than 0.25 hours or less than 2 reps/shift.

Physical Condition

Essential

Marginal

Constantly

Frequently

Occasionally

Rarely

Never

Extreme Heat

x

Extreme Cold

x

Heights

x

Confined Spaces

x

Extreme Noise(>85dB)

x

Mechanical Hazards

x

Use of Vibrating Tools

x

Operates Vehicle (company)

x

Operates Heavy Equipment

x

Use of Lifting/Transfer Devices

x

Rotates All Shifts

x

8 Hours Shifts

x

x

10-12 Hours Shifts

x

x

On-Call

x

Overtime(+8/hrs/shift; 40/hr/wk)

x

x

Travel Between Sites

x

x

Direct Patient Care

x

x

Respirator Protective Equipment

x

Eye Protection

x

Head Protection (hard hat)

x

Hearing Protection

x

Hand Protection

x

x

Feet, Toe Protection

x

Body Protection

x

Latex Exposure

x

x

Solvent Exposure

x

Paint (direct use) Exposure

x

Dust (sanding) Exposure

x

Ethylene Oxide Exposure

x

Cytotoxic (Chemo) Exposure

x

Blood/Body Fluid Exposure

x

x

Chemicals (direct use) Exposure

x

x

Mist Exposure

x

Wax Stripper (direct use)

x

Non-Ionizing Radiation Exposure

x

Ionizing Radiation Exposure

x

Laser Exposure

x

Physical Demands

When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.

Essential – Absolute Necessity.

Marginal – Minimal Necessity.

Constantly – 5.5 to 8 hours or more or 200 reps/shift.

Frequently – 2.5 to 5.5 hours or more or 32-200 reps/shift.

Occasionally – 0.25 to 2.5 hours or 2-32 reps/shift.

Rarely – Less than 0.25 hours or less than 2 reps/shift.

Physical Condition

Essential

Marginal

Constantly

Frequently

Occasionally

Rarely

Never

Bending (Stooping)

x

x

Sitting

x

x

Walking

x

x

Climbing Stairs

x

x

Climbing Ladders

x

Standing

x

x

Kneeling

x

Squatting (Crouching)

x

x

Twisting/Turning

x

Keyboard/Computer Operation

x

x

Gross Grasp

x

Fine Finger Manipulation

x

x

Hand/Arm Coordination

x

x

Pushing/Pulling(lbs. of force)

x

Carry

x

x

Transfer/Push/Pull Patients

x

Seeing Near w/Acuity

x

x

Feeling (Sensation)

x

Color Vision

x

Hearing Clearly

x

x

Pulling/Pushing Objects Overhead

x

Reaching Above Shoulder Level

x

x

Reaching Forward

x

x

Lifting Floor to Knuckle

###

>10#

Lifting Seat Pan to Knuckle

###

>10#

Lifting Knuckle to Shoulder

###

>10#

Lifting Shoulder to Overhead

###

>10#

When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.