Nutritionist

JOB SUMMARY:

The Nutritionist provides medical nutrition therapy to patients, based upon his/her specialty training, through an interdisciplinary and collaborative approach that takes into consideration the psychosocial aspects of both health and disease. S/he additionally provides medical nutrition therapy direction and, and general oversight for nutrition services within the organization.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Analytical and Critical Thinking

• Maintains the standard of clinical care, using nutritional diagnostic testing appropriately yet cost-effectively, and providing appropriate nutritional care.
• Provides services designed to meet the individual patient's needs in literacy, motivation with medical and psychological diagnoses.
• Assesses for barriers and assets in a patient's social environment that are likely to affect nutrition outcomes.

Patient Focus

• Demonstrates professionalism and integrity in all aspects of patient care.
• Effectively engages patients in their care.
• Addresses patient nutritional concerns brought up during visit, and documents assessment and plan for these concerns.

Teamwork

• Fosters a collaborative work environment
• Functions as the primary clinical nutrition consultant for CBHC.
• Works with peers to implement improvements to work flow or to the workplace.
• Participates in one or more ongoing medical group visits as a nutrition advocate.--when this starts, if possible, based on staffing.
• Works within organization to increase provision of nutritional services.
• Participates in interdisciplinary programs to promote and improve the nutritional status of CBHC patients.
• Participates in internal committees and teams as requested.

Communication

• Returns patient calls within 2 working days, unless voicemail message indicates otherwise, if out of office for a period of time without access to voicemail Informs PCP of nutritional interventions, through flags, problem list up-dates, and/or visit note documentation.
• Informs CM of nutritional interventions, if applicable.
• Informs MH of nutritional interventions, if applicable.
• Informs MST of nutritional interventions, if applicable.
• Keep staff clinicians informed of developments in nutritional services.
• Provides direction to the organization with respect to nutritional services.
• Represents CBHC to the medical and patient communities, as well as the community at-large, as a source of nutritional expertise.
• Participates when requested to serve in memberships on committees.
• Participates when requested to participate in community activities.
• Participates when requested to be a media contact.
• Reads and responds to e-mail in a timely manner (within 2 working days), unless out of office indicates otherwise

Checking, Examining, and Recording

• Bills all encounters.
• Maintains complete and comprehensive documentation.
• Consistently completes progress notes of patient encounters by end of the next business day.
• Health habits and risk factors are documented in at least 90% of patients seen at least 3 times for nutritional services.
• Nutritional self-management goal has been documented/updated within one year for at least 65% of patients seen at least twice for nutritional services.

Workplace Computers and Equipment

• Utilizes EMR resources to manage patient care, including flags and referrals.
• Uses "out of office" functions in EMR, Outlook, and phone system to make staff aware of absences.

Compliance, Policy, and Procedure

• Keeps current with respect to organizational policies and procedures, and puts them into practice.

Willingness to Learn

• Takes active steps to keep current in new developments within the field of nutrition

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• In-depth knowledge of nutritional models
• Strong communication, research, presentation, and creative skills
• Basic navigation knowledge of electronic medical record applications such as CPS 12 and ability to learn new computer skills
• Maintain sensitivity to religious, ethnic and cultural differences in others and show respect and empathy.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• Required: minimum of Bachelor's Degree in Nutrition or Dietetics, Master's preferred.
• 2+ years' experience as a professional nutritionist•
• Must be able to see pediatric patients ages 3 and up
• Required: Board certified
• Must be a Registered Dietitian (RD) OR a Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) and maintain a current and valid Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist (LDN) license in Maryland.
• Understanding of diabetic nutrition a plus