Assumes responsibility for general nutritional patients and collection of nutritional assessment data, as assigned. Considers age specific, developmental, and cultural needs of the patient to achieve nutritional goals.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Maintains good rapport and cooperative relationships.
Approaches conflict in a constructive manner.
Helps to identify problems, offer solutions, and participate in their resolution.
Maintains the confidentiality of information acquired pertaining to patient, physicians, colleagues, and visitors to Trinity Health.
Discusses patient and hospital information only among appropriate personnel in appropriately private places.
Provides diet instruction in principles of food and nutrition, and standard dietary counseling to patients and/or significant others as ordered by physicians and under guidance of Clinical Nutritionist.
Explains menu items, nutritional value and caloric intake, and diet exchanges. Answers general questions related to home regimen and refers patient to ambulatory programs for follow up as appropriate.
Considers age specific; developmental and cultural needs when interviewing patients to obtain nutritional history information, including food habits and preferences, and collaborates with dieticians in assessing patients' dietary needs. Has functional knowledge of supplement composition and indications for use with specific disease states.
Arranges dietary supplements for patients to optimize nutritional adequacy. Charts all dietary instructions and any pertinent therapeutic information in patients' medical records.
Calculates daily nutrient intakes from all oral intake-using standard procedures and records results in the medical record.
Interacts with nursing personnel and other members of the health care team in resolving patients' dietary problems and in developing therapeutic activities related to nutrition and oral intake.
Formulates and implements nutrition care and meal plans and plans menus based on established guidelines and individual patient nutritional needs as directed by the RDN.
Discusses menus with patient and families daily offering consultation in selection for food items and guidance regarding menu planning, based on nutritional needs and diet prescriptions.
Monitors patient diets and ensures nutritional adequacy of menus by reviewing diet orders, assists patients with suboptimal intake and notifies RDN of any potential problems.
Provides support to patients and clinical staff by participating in research projects, clinical nutrition quality surveys, and assisting with development of educational programs and materials.
Participates in scheduling and conducting on-the-job training, and in-service education programs for dietetic interns.
Participates in multi-disciplinary rounds with nursing units dealing with inpatient care as needed.
Distributes daily caseload as needed. Acts as liaison between clinical nutrition and nursing staff and food service department.
Covers entire clinical nutrition area on Saturdays and holidays.
Screens all "general referrals" to determine what specific service is needed and which staff member needs to be contacted. Provides input to nutrition director regarding peer evaluations annually.
Maintains the confidentiality of information acquired pertaining to patient, physicians, employees, and visitors to Trinity Health Ann Arbor.
REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND CERTIFICATION/LICENSURE
Education:
Requires Associate's degree in Dietetics or other closely related health field.
Experience: Six months on the job training or previous experience.
Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Trinity Health is one of the largest not-for-profit, Catholic healthcare systems in the nation. Built on the foundation of our Mission and Core Values, we integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion in all that we do. Our colleagues have different lived experiences, customs, abilities, and talents. Together, we become our best selves. A diverse and inclusive workforce provides the most accessible and equitable care for those we serve. Trinity Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by law.