Dietitian

$63,909 - $100,517/Yr

Department of Veterans Affairs - Milwaukee, WI

Full-time - Entry Level

Milwaukee, WI

Administration of Human Resource Programs

About the position

The Clinical Dietitian is the medical nutrition expert responsible for independently planning, developing, and directing all nutritional care activities for assigned patients, including those with complex medical and nutritional needs. He/she works with the interdisciplinary team to ensure patient's needs are being met when an alternative form of nutrition management (enteral/parenteral nutrition) is determined to be necessary. He/She supports the facility's mission and coordinates nutritional care with other health care providers, the client, the clients family and the community.

Responsibilities

• Conducts comprehensive nutrition assessments for patients at nutritional risk using the Nutrition Care Process.
• Develops and implements an individualized plan for MNT in accordance with the patient's medical program goals and objectives.
• Completes MDS and documents results and recommendations in medical record.
• Calculates nutritional requirements (calories, protein, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins, electrolytes, fluid) and necessary diet restrictions.
• Conducts regular meal observations to ensure the accuracy, palatability, and appropriateness of food served.
• Identifies patients in need of nutritional support and recommends the appropriate mode of support, including suitable route, formula, and rate of administration.
• Utilizes assessment and evaluation techniques that consider age-specific needs as well as cultural, religious, and ethnic concerns.
• Orders labs, diets, supplements, and consults per scope of Practice/Policy Order Authorization.
• Evaluates and monitors the effectiveness and outcome of MNT interventions.
• Documents nutrition care plan in the patient's medical record, including nutrition assessment data, nutrition diagnosis, medical nutrition therapy initiated and recommendations, results of nutrition counseling, and discharge planning.
• Works cooperatively with Nutrition and Food Services and nursing staff to ensure conformance to diet prescriptions.
• Assesses educational needs and provides nutrition counseling for individuals and groups, incorporating a learning approach that considers the cultural, religious, educational, and medical situation of the patient.
• Provides nutrition education and counseling to individual in a variety of settings for nutrition related problems, preventive health measures and chronic disease management.
• Evaluates achievement of learning objectives by the patient and/or family.
• Provides appropriate follow-up in accordance with patient's treatment goals, referring patients for outpatient counseling, community or home health services as appropriate.
• Assists in the education of dietetic students and interns.
• Participates in community projects and education as needed/assigned.
• Documents all nutrition education in the medical record according to facility policy.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) or Registered Dietitian (RD) - Must be registered with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).
• Earned a bachelor's or higher degree from a U.S. regionally accredited college or university or foreign equivalent.
• Completed an ACEND accredited experiential or supervised practice program.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in a healthcare environment.
• Knowledge of various food preparation and delivery systems.
• Ability to develop and conduct education and training programs for NFS employees.
• Knowledge of research methods and performance improvement studies.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid leave.
• Eligibility for annual leave accrual based on prior work experience or military service experience.