Inpatient Dietician in Santa Barbara, California at VNA Health

About Us:

At VNA Health, our mission is to revolutionize healthcare through compassion and innovation, ensuring every individual's well-being is prioritized. We're dedicated to empowering our employees to make a real difference in the lives of our patients and communities, driving positive change in healthcare. Join us in our mission to provide exceptional care and improve the health and dignity of those we serve.

Why Join Us:

• Employer sponsored insurance premiums including dental, vision, basic life, disability, and AD&D insurance.

• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) accrual from the first day of employment.

• Generous Wellness Benefit annual reimbursement for fitness and wellness expenses.

• Financial wellness program with matching 403(b) Retirement Plan and Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA).

• Supportive company culture promoting employee well-being through programs like the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and public transportation reimbursement.

Job Description:

The Inpatient Registered Dietician works with the interdisciplinary team and provides counseling to patients, family and staff on the nutritional needs of the terminally ill. The registered dietician will assess the nutritional status of each patient while in the inpatient unit to assure the dietary needs of the patient are met. The Inpatient Registered Dietician fully supports the Core Values and is accountable for upholding the Standards of Behavior of VNA Health.

Job Duties:

• Assess patient nutritional status affected by disease, treatment and other physiological determinants and recommend appropriate diet.
• Work with interdisciplinary group to identify patients at risk for nutritional problems.
• Approve all menus in the inpatient unit.
• Help assure that patient’s food preferences are adhered to as much as possible and substitutes for all food refused shall be from appropriate food groups.
• Therapeutic diets shall be provided for each patient as prescribed and shall be planned, prepared and served with supervision and/or consultation from the dietician.
• Interpret and coordinate patient nutritional issues working with the interdisciplinary group to set reasonable nutritional goals to meet each individual patient’s evolving nutritional needs.
• Obtains weight upon admission of each patient and at recertification if possible.
• Provide consultation to interdisciplinary group re patient nutritional issues and resources.
• Provide emotional support to patient and family around food issues and provide guidance for the family in finding non-food ways of care giving and nurturing.
• Maintain timely and accurate clinical records.

Job Requirements:

• Registered dietician with experience working with terminally ill and their families.
• Hospice and home care experience preferred.
• Ability to perform nutritional assessments and intervene appropriately.
• Understanding of the nutritional needs of the terminally ill.
• Understanding of the psychosocial issues of food and care giving.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work well individually and in cooperation with an interdisciplinary group.
• Must be able to cope with family, emotional stress and be tolerant of individual lifestyles without judgment.
• Basic working knowledge and skill of computers (email) required.
• Must have ability to establish and maintain cooperative relationships with professionals and lay group.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to lift 50 lbs.
• Ability to push/pull 50 lbs.
• Ability to stoop, bend, and squat.
• Ability to walk up one flight of stairs.
• Ability to walk one mile.
• Ability to sit for one hour, minimum.
• Visual and audio acuity.