Registered Dietitian

Overview

To be part of our organization, every employee should understand and share in the YNHHS Vision, support our Mission, and live our Values. These values - integrity, patient-centered, respect, accountability, and compassion - must guide what we do, as individuals and professionals, every day.

Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to manage the nutrition care of patients throughout the lifecycle in an inpatient or outpatient setting. Ensures that optimal nutrition is provided to patients based on medical, cultural, and age-specific needs. Uses knowledge of growth and development, the medical sciences, psychology and socio-economic factors, as they apply to clinical dietetics in an inpatient or outpatient setting respectively. Evaluates patients for nutritional risk and presence of malnutrition and recommends and facilitates the implementation of age-appropriate nutrition care plans and behavioral changes via patient/family education and counseling to promote sound dietary choices in health and disease. Translates the science of nutrition and the study of food into practical applications via medical nutrition therapy. Manages an internship rotation as assigned.

EEO/AA/Disability/Veteran

Responsibilities

• Provides age and culturally appropriate medical nutrition therapy to assigned patients using evidence-based practice guidelines and the Nutrition Care Process.
• 1.1 Conducts nutrition assessments that accurately reflect the patient's nutritional risk factors including age in relation to their medical and/or psychiatric condition and treatment, adhering to section standards of practice, as evidenced by QI monitors. Identifies, documents, and treats malnutrition. Makes recommendations to patients/families and the healthcare team regarding medical nutrition therapy to ensure optimal nutritional management, as evidenced by QI monitors, documented patient/consumer feedback and as observed by supervisor.
• Demonstrates effective organizational skills and uses understanding of YNHH performance standards to ensure the smooth and timely delivery of clinical nutrition and counseling services on assigned patient care units or in ambulatory settings.
• 2.1 Maintains all clinical documentation, including medical records, productivity, financial data and formula records as appropriate to assigned setting, in an accurate and up-to-date manner that conforms to HIPAA and section standards of practice, as evidenced by department Ql and productivity monitors.
• Participates in professional development activities to maintain and advance knowledge base.
• 3.1 Annually maintains registration with the Commission on Dietetic Registration and other credentialing bodies, as appropriate. Annually, maintains state certification as a dietitian-nutritionist , as required. If specialty certifications are achieved, proactively communicates plan for maintenance of certification per department career ladder.
• Conducts dietetic intern education through assigned rotation.
• 4.1 Directly supervises day to day internship operations. Identifies obstacles to individual learning; discusses solutions with supervisor and implements revised teaching strategies. Provides remediation experiences as requested by internship director.
• Provides leadership and departmental service.
• 5.1 Attends or chairs section, departmental and interdisciplinary meetings and in -services as assigned. Routinely shares formal and informal summaries of meetings with manager and/or team and follows through on section/departmental directives as observed by management. Participates as departmental champion (e.g. safety, quality, regulatory, billing, diversity) as assigned.

Qualifications

EDUCATION

Registered Dietitian with minimum Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university required. Note: Minimum of Master's degree required for those completing educational and supervised practice requirements after January 2024.

EXPERIENCE

Minimum of three (3) years of experience in clinical dietetics for those with Master's degree or a minimum of four (4) years of experience if no Master's degree; and successful application via YNHHS Career Ladder. Annual requirements met per Career Ladder to maintain level. If hired directly into Clinical RD2 role, will need to demonstrate achievement of YNHHS Career Ladder requirements within 6 months in position to maintain level. YNHH-approved specialty certification preferred. Clinical experience in an acute care facility and/or outpatient setting preferred, depending upon position opening. Teaching experience preferred.

LICENSURE

Registered Dietitian by the Commission on Dietetic Registration. Dietitian-Nutritionist Certification by CT State Department of Public Health within 3 months of hire.

SPECIAL SKILLS

Must have working knowledge of evidenced-based principles of medical nutrition therapy. Must provide competent nutrition assessment, follow-up, and education to individuals, groups, and members of the healthcare team using sound scientific knowledge, section standards of practice, and the Nutrition Care Process. Must be able to gather, review, and synthesize complex medical information to plan scientifically sound, realistic, and fiscally responsible patient care. Must have knowledge of theories and principles of food preparation, menu planning, and nutrient analysis to enable education of patients, families, groups, and other members of the healthcare team. Excellent oral and written communications skills required. Must work well independently to prioritize patient care, and work well as part of the healthcare team. Must demonstrate ability to competently teach and mentor dietetic interns in the practice of medical nutrition therapy. Must be able to use computer software systems including but not limited to word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, and nutrient analysis programs, as well as various electronic medical records systems.

PHYSICAL DEMAND

Must be able to sit and stand for significant lengths of time in completion of work tasks. Must be able to walk significant distances to provide coverage on geographically diverse hospital inpatient units or clinics.

YNHHS Requisition ID