Registered Dietitian

Under the direct supervision of the Director of Nutrition and Lifestyle Programs, the outpatient registered dietitian is responsible for conducting nutrition assessments on referred patients across the lifespan within scope of practice, establishing treatment plans and goals, identifying barriers and working collaboratively with providers, care team members and the patient and family to identify and adopt achievable self-management goals. The dietitian has access to the patient’s medical record to coordinate care plans and treatment goals.

Essential Functions, Duties and Responsibilities

• Conducting routine screening to identify and treat nutritional problems and food security status
• Screening and developing interventions for growth problems and chronic conditions in children
• Provide medical nutrition therapy to pediatric and adult patients with chronic conditions including patients with diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, overweight and obesity
• Adapting dietary recommendations to help reduce the risk of co morbid conditions such as diabetes and heart disease, or treating these complications
• Preparing a tailored nutritional plan to optimize patients' nutritional status, immune status, and overall well-being including adult, children, and pregnant women
• Educating patients about how to modify their dietary habits to maximize the effectiveness of medical and pharmacologic treatments
• Tailoring nutritional recommendations to fit patients' lifestyles and financial resources
• Counseling patients to promote nutrition self-care using available resources
• Establishing treatment plans and communicates with patients regarding program compliance.
• Meets directly with patients to identify educational needs; provide individual instruction, utilize informational handouts/booklets, or refer to community resources as needed.
• Collaborating with providers to identify and engage patients and others in need of nutrition counseling.
• Participates in various committees as assigned and performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
• Participates in quality improvement of the program in conjunction with other services offered.
• Documents encounters into the patient record within the EMR and will assure that the participant's outcomes, goals and plan for ongoing self-management support is documented in the record so that communication with other members healthcare team is maintained. Codes appropriately to submit to insurers.
• Is certified in Diabetes Education and maintains certification according to standards put forth by the National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators and/or experience with disordered eating or eating disorders preferred
• Identifies ways to improve nutritional services available, and make recommendations to the Director of Nutrition and Lifestyle Programs and the QA/PI Committee

Requirements

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Bilingual Spanish/English with excellent oral skills in both, preferred. English oral and written communications skills required.
• EMR and computer skills required.

Education, Training and Experience

• Experience: Pediatric nutrition, Chronic diseases such as diabetes, HIV/AIDS, disordered eating and/or maternity nutrition counseling needed.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition or related field required.
• Must have CDR registered dietitian certification and be eligible for NJ State Certification. Certified as a Diabetes Educator helpful.