Medical Nutrition Therapist

Job Title: Medical Nutrition Therapist
Job Code: 550011
Immediate Supervisor: Clinical Nutrition Manager
Status: Non-Exempt

DEPARTMENT FUNCTION/JOB OVERVIEW

• Perform nutritional assessments, diagnose, evaluate nutritional problems, and develop an individualized care plan and goals.
• Perform reevaluations and change care plans as needed.
• Utilize Nutrition Services software in conjunction with electronic medical record in providing nutrition therapy for patients.
• Responsible for maintaining accurate and timely documentation.
• Integrate nutrition therapy plans with food and nutrition services, medical, nursing, social services, and therapies.
• Provide nutrition education to patients, residents (Lincoln only) caregivers, families and staff. Manage time and activities to meet deadlines.
• Use strengths to provide services in a team effort.
• Other duties as assigned by the Clinical Nutrition Manager.
• Work will be performed in an ethical and legal manner following organizational policies, processes, protocols and procedures.
• Responsible for quality service delivery and internal/external customer relations for Madonna as a whole, including upholding the mission and values for the department and facility.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

(INFORMATION)

• Compile, analyze, and coordinate patient/resident information to complete nutrition assessment and individualized care plan and goals.
• Lincoln only–prepare CAAS assigned sections with data collected and recorded in a timely manner.
• Monitor nutrition interventions to accommodate individual patient preferences, updating patient information in electronic medical record and nutrition software as needed.
• Compile reports on patients/residents and be prepared to summarize orally at interdisciplinary team meetings, project teams, and clinical meetings.
• Present professionally prepared, up to date, nutrition education for patients, caregivers, families, staff and the community.
• Evaluate and monitor quality control standards of food and nutrition services.
• Checks e-mail throughout the day.
• Complete test trays as assigned.
• Assemble required productivity data and report in a timely manner(PEOPLE)
• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings.
• Supervise and instruct interns, students, and volunteers and, when assigned, participate in selection of incoming internship class.
• Be an advocate and educator for Madonna in dealing with outpatients and referral sources.
• Interacts with patients and staff in a professional, customer-focused manner displaying hospitality and collaboration.
• Instruct patients, caregivers, families, staff and the community in a professional manner, communication effectively
• Attend educational offerings, especially on information pertinent to the assigned area of care.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with coworkers and other facility departments to provide a unified approach to patient care.
• Follows instruction from manager to perform other functions in order to achieve the goals of the Department and Madonna.
• Alert the director or manager when unsafe practices are being performed and actions you took to prevent harm.(THINGS)
• Must be able to operate copier, telephone, fax machine, and have computer skills, including e-mail, word processing, presentation and spreadsheet functions.
• Maintain and ensure a safe environment for the department.
• Handle and operate all necessary equipment and perform required duties according to established safety standards to maintain compliance with regulations and prevent injury.
• Perform required duties according to established safety standards to maintain compliance with regulations and prevent injury.
• Alert the Director and/or Manager of any problems seen in the kitchen, Commons Café or on the units concerning food safety/quality.
• Assist with ensuring cleanliness of equipment and environment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Light work with occasional lift and carry 10 pounds. Constant sitting with sustained sitting.  Ability to write chart notes and assessments legibly and use approved abbreviations. Lincoln only–ability to complete MDS and Raps/Triggers accurately and timely. Work is inside. Requires sufficient sight to see and read reports and computer screen.  Requires sufficient hearing and speaking to communicate by phone or in person.

QUALIFICATIONS (Education/training and/or Experience)

Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and/or Food Service Management from an accredited college or university. Must be a Registered Dietitian with the Commission on Dietetic Registration, the credentialing agency for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Must be licensed with the State of Nebraska as a Medical Nutrition Therapist. One year prior experience working in a clinical setting preferred. Lincoln only–knowledge of the Resident Assessment Instrument preferred.  Knowledge of Federal and State regulations in use.  Experience using an electronic medical record and nutrition software preferred.

Background checks are conducted.  When specific authorization forms are requested so that full background and history can be obtained, employees/applicants must sign the form(s) requested.