What are the responsibilities and job description for the Advanced Practice Dietitian position at Driscoll Health?
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GENERAL PURPOSE OF JOB:
The Advance Practice Dietitian (APD) is responsible for practicing as an expert in the application of the Nutrition Care Process (NCP) and theory within pediatrics. The APD provides comprehensive medical nutrition services to pediatric patients and their families of Driscoll Children's Hospital through the following duties and responsibilities. This position operates within the framework of Driscoll Health System mission, vision, and values.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed blow are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Maintains utmost level of confidentiality at all times.
- Adheres to hospital policies and procedures.
- Demonstrates business practices and personal actions that are ethical and adhere to corporate compliance and integrity guidelines.
- Complies with all regulator standards, including federal, state and accrediting agencies and adhere to facility confidentiality, HIPAA regulations, and patient rights policies.
- Works with medical staff and nursing staff to promote optimal patient care; attends regular weekly patient care meetings on assigned patient care units.
- Provides nutrition support to pediatric patients in both ambulatory and inpatient settings as needed to ensure quality patient care and to support coverage needs for dietitian team in their absence or due to census fluctuation.
- Attends and participates in departmental meetings, staff development, and professional programs, as appropriate or assigned. Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor and/or hospital administration as required.
- Provides medical nutrition therapy (MNT) using evidence-based practice to optimize patient care and document all pertinent clinical findings utilizing the Nutrition Care Process (NCP)
- Demonstrates proficiency in accordance with department and facility Standards of Care while providing age appropriate plan of care for patients and families.
- Conducts practice based on the most recent edition of the Code of Ethics, the Scope of Practice in Nutrition and Dietetics, the Scope of Practice for RDs, Standards of Practice (SOP) in Nutrition Care, Standards of Professional Performance (SOPP) for RDNs, and the SOP and SOPP for RDNs in Pediatric Nutrition from The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (Academy)
- Utilizes Academy standards in daily practice to consistently improve and appropriately demonstrate competency and value as a provider of safe and effective pediatric nutrition and dietetics care and service.
- Completes and/or reviews nutrition screening of inpatient admissions and/or ambulatory schedules to collect additional data that may affect the patient's health condition or nutritional risk and communicates findings to health care and culinary staff as appropriate.
- Evaluates the nutritional status of patients, including effectiveness of enteral and parenteral nutrition support regimes. Formulate and implement and individualized nutrition care plan that leads to positive outcomes.
- Assures implementation and evaluation of care plans by collecting additional data to support the monitoring and evaluation of nutrition intervention and educational needs. Formulates recommendations for adjustments to improve the patient's recovery and/or support his/her health condition.
- Interviews patients to obtain information regarding food habits and preferences; communicates this information changes and provides guidance as needed to culinary staff.
- Reviews diet orders, formula orders, or nutrition prescriptions to verify calculations, measurements, and specifications are accurate and appropriate.
- Educates patients, families, health care team members, dietetic interns, and members of the community.
- Develops, evaluates and/or revises standardized protocols and education materials for nutrition services.
- Processes charges in electronic medical record system for MNT services provided, as appropriate.
- Coordinates with the department leaders in planning basic and modified diet menus for patients; considers food preferences, nutritional and caloric content, and food cost.
- Periodically inspects prepared foods to ensure adherence to specifications, observing serving appearance, quantity, temperature, and palatability.
- Coordinates and conducts period tray assessments in collaboration with the culinary staff to ensure the accuracy and quality of diet prescriptions and nutrition education.
- Maintains monthly records of patients seen for statistical reports. Monitors the departments Quality Assurance and/or Performance Improvement Programs and assists the department leaders in initiating corrective action.
- Participates in ongoing process improvement activities, committees, and/or research within the department and facility.
- Maintains professional growth and development through completion of required department, facility, and Academy competencies. Strives to obtain approved specialty credential(s).
- Position may require travel (by automobile or airplane) to and from Driscoll facilities located in Corpus Christi, Edinburg, Harlingen, Laredo, McAllen, Brownsville, and Victoria.
EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in nutrition or related field from a 4-year Accredited College or University.
- Bilingual (Spanish): Ability to speak and write Spanish highly preferred.
- Requires three (3) years of pediatric clinical nutrition experience of five (5) years of general clinical nutrition experience.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
- Current Registered Dietitian or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Certification by the Commission on Dietetic Registration, required.
- State licensure by the Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation (TDLR), required.
- Advance Practice/Specialty certification from a nationally recognized certifying body such as CDR or National Board of Nutrition Certification preferred. Examples: CSP credential (Certified Specialist in Pediatrics) or CNSC credential (Certified Nutrition Support Clinician), preferred.
- Food Manager’s Certification or Food Safety Certification, required.
