Clinical Nutrition Services DTR at Bryan Health – Lincoln, Nebraska

GENERAL SUMMARY:

The Clinical Nutrition Services Technician performs routine assignments to provide basic nutrition care services to patients identified at minimal nutritional risk, under the direction of the Clinical Dietitian. Primary responsibilities include rescreening patients at minimal nutritional risk, reporting findings and documenting the results of the rescreen in the patient care record and providing individualized or group nutrition education to patients on uncomplicated diets.

PRINCIPAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

*Commits to the mission, vision, beliefs and consistently demonstrates our core values.

*Rescreens patients at minimal nutritional risk within required timeline; gathers data established by Clinical Dietitians and completes the re-screen form; refers patients identified with any nutritional risk criteria to the Clinical Dietitian for a comprehensive nutrition assessment.

*Documents the results of nutrition re-screens in the patient care notes of the medical record, per established procedure.

*Revises kardexes for all patients in a timely manner.

*Calculates body mass index (BMI), percent of ideal body weight, and protein and calorie counts from food intake records.

Organizes and conducts group education classes, under the direction of the Clinical Dietitian, and teaches basic modified diets (e.g. low cholesterol, low fat, low sodium) to patients and/or their care providers.

Provides educational information and communicates with patients/families with a variety of developmental and sociocultural backgrounds.

*Works collaboratively and conveys relevant information to members of the health care team; ensures confidentiality in matters relating to patient/family.

*Provides basic nutrition services to patients at minimal nutritional risk.

*Works with the Clinical Dietitian to monitor daily tube feeding, total parenteral nutrition (TPN) and medical diagnoses lists and provides information so the Clinical Dietitian can determine clinical priorities for care.

Assists in collecting data, as directed, to assist the Manager/Clinical Dietitian in decision making and evaluating clinical outcomes.

*Collaborates with food service personnel to communicate patients' food preferences, likes, dislikes, and allergies to ensure menus meet patient needs.

Attends staff meetings and mandatory inservices as directed; advances work knowledge by participating in continuing education inservices, reading periodicals/literature and seeking ongoing development opportunities.

Supports and participates in the Medical Center's quality improvement initiatives.

Provides inservices for department staff as assigned.

Assists in the preceptoring of students and orienting interns; helps orient new employees.

Maintains productivity standards; practices effective time management skills.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

(Essential Job functions are marked with an asterisk “*”. Refer to the Job Description Guide for the definition of essential and non-essential job functions.) Attach Addendum for positions with slightly different roles or work-specific differences as needed.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of diet modifications, nutrient content of foods and oral nutritional supplements appropriate for patients' with basic nutritional needs.

Knowledge of computer hardware equipment and software applications relevant to work functions.

Ability to calculate BMI's, percent ideal body weight (IBW) and protein/calorie counts.

Ability to identify criteria associated with nutrition problems.

Ability to teach basic modified diets to patients and/or their care providers using a practical method, consistent with patients' learning ability.

Ability to prioritize work demands and work with minimal supervision.

Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

Ability to maintain confidentiality relevant to sensitive information.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of personnel, medical staff, volunteer and ancillary departments including diverse patient populations.

Ability to work in a fast-paced environment related to changing patient needs including working with patients with acute, chronic and complex disease processes and those who are dying.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Associates degree in Clinical Dietetics with clinical practicum experience required. Registered Dietetic Technician (DTR) desired. Prior experience in a clinical nutritional services capacity preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Walking, taking stairs and/or moving within the facility for several hours each day is typical.