Registered Dietitian - ESRD - Government of the Virgin Islands

Job Class Code: REGISTERED DIETICIAN	FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Supervisor: ESRD Administrator or Designee	Supervisory Responsibilities: No
Classified/Unclassified: Classified	Bargaining Unit: SIU

POSITION SUMMARY
The Registered Dietician's primary responsibility is to collaborate with the ESRD Interdisciplinary Team to develop an individualized treatment plan for each ESRD patient that is based on a comprehensive assessment of the patient’s needs. The Registered Dietician is also responsible for completing a nutrition evaluation and plan for each ESRD patient to promote optimal health.
 
POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES/DUTIES 

1. Perform nutritional assessments on all assigned patients per standards of care.
2. Monitor patient labs, dialysis adequacy, fluid weight status, and nutrition concerns. Solid understanding of lab values with the ability to interpret and relate levels to clinical conditions, diet intake, etc.
3. Review lab results, dialysis adequacy, fluid weight status, and nutrition concerns with patients on monthly basis, and educate regarding appropriate nutrition related changes.
4. Assess, monitor, and educate dialysis patients about nutritional needs. Educate assigned new patients on prescribed renal diet.
5. Document monthly nutrition progress notes in medical record.
6. Monitor need for oral supplements, enteral or parenteral support, and facilitate initiation.
7. Make recommendations regarding nutritional related medications as appropriate. Participate in monthly Patient Care Conferences (PCC).
8. Collaborate with the ESRD Interdisciplinary Team to develop an individualized treatment plan for each ESRD patient that is based on a comprehensive assessment of the patient’s needs.
9. Design and distribute educational materials concerning diet for the dialysis patient, conduct seminars and classes for dialysis patients concerning aspects of nutrition.
10. Track Nutrition related QAPI data, participate in QAPI meetings and QAPI projects.
11. Provide continuing education for staff.
12.  Participate in professional activities as appropriate to renal nutrition.
13. Ability to interact with patients and staff from a variety of diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

1. Education Bachelor’s Degree in Nutrition Science, or equivalent Licensure & Certification.
2. Must have registration by the Commission on Dietetic Registration.
3. At least one -year clinical work experience in clinical nutrition as a registered dietitian preferred.

 
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Regularly exposed to the risk of bloodborne, respiratory, and airborne diseases. Exposure to industrial and pharmacological hazards as defined in various Safety Data Sheets (SDS).   Contact with patients under a wide variety of circumstances, including unpredictable situations. The work environment is a combination of a relatively quiet office and busy treatment area.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands are typical of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of the position.

1. Manual dexterity sufficient to write, type, and use a telephone, calculator.
2. Use a computer for up to five hours at a time.
3. Sitting for prolonged periods of time.
4. Lifting up to 20 pounds of nutritional supplements at a time.
5. Walking and standing for several hours at a time, while communicating with staff and patients.
6.  Talking, hearing, and vision are required for communication with staff, patients, and visitors.
7.  Determining and communicating departmental needs.
8. Flexible, able to adapt to changing needs of patients,
9. Able to work within an active clinic environment, with the distractions of dialysis and emergencies.
10.  Perform nutritional calculations using algebraic calculations.
11. Apply educational and practical experience in performing complete nutritional assessments.
12. Evaluating appropriateness of documentation.
13. May require occasional flexible schedule to meet patient needs.
14. Compliance with all policies and procedures.
15. Maintain confidentiality of patient records and employee information.
16. Ability to maintain professional relationships and boundaries with patients.
17.  Dedication to professionalism, maturity, caring, and diplomacy.
18. Computer and computer-related equipment.
19.  Other equipment and tools necessary to perform the functions of the position.