Overview

As a patient-focused organization, University of Utah Health exists to enhance the health and well-being of people through patient care, research and education. Success in this mission requires a culture of collaboration, excellence, leadership, and respect. University of Utah Health seeks staff that are committed to the values of compassion, collaboration, innovation, responsibility, integrity, quality and trust that are integral to our mission. EO/AA

The Clinical Dietitian works with the departmental and interdisciplinary health care team to provide patient care that is integrated and compatible with patient-centered medical goals and objectives. This position is responsible for assessing the nutritional status, identifying nutrition concerns, and developing, implementing and evaluating outcomes of nutrition care plans for patients at nutritional risk. This position may provide nutritional support to patients in specialized populations. This position may be required to access and administer medications within their scope of practice and according to State Law.

Corporate Overview: The University of Utah is a Level 1 Trauma Center and is nationally ranked and recognized for our academic research, quality standards and overall patient experience. Our five hospitals and eleven clinics provide excellence in our comprehensive services, medical advancement, and overall patient outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Conducts comprehensive nutritional assessments for patients' nutritional needs by collecting, recording, and interpreting data from patients, clients, family members, caregivers, and other individuals and groups.
• Organizes and categorizes the data in a meaningful framework that links nutrition assessment parameters with nutrition diagnoses, and determines when a problem requires consultation with or referral to another provider.
• Formulates nutrition intervention plan based on nutrition related concerns and prioritizes interventions; utilizes evidence-based nutrition practice guidelines and other practice guidelines to evaluate plan effectiveness.
• Defines time and frequency of care, including intensity, duration, and follow-up; modifies the plan of care as needed.
• Monitors and measures outcomes by selecting relevant nutrition care indicators; compares findings with intervention goals for nutrition and determines whether goals/outcomes are being met.
• Works cooperatively with health care providers, patient/client/caregivers to implement and communicate the nutrition care plan and expected outcomes.
• Provides nutrition counseling and education to patients, families and caregivers, and the community.
• Ensures that state and local certification for health, safety, and quality standards are met.
• Conducts in-services and educational presentations for hospital and department staff and oversees the development and revision of specialized patient education materials, clinical forms, and protocols.
• Acts as an advocate, resource, and liaison with nursing and the medical staff by providing optimal communication and enhancing patient nutritional care, education and research opportunities.
• Participates in outcome measure initiatives to validate nutrition program performance and creates reports.
• Maintains accurate record keeping of daily clinical activities, including information for scheduling and billing.
• Participates in departmental and interdisciplinary meetings, task forces and projects.
• Creates and maintains training programs and manages training of nutrition and dietetics interns and other health care profession students in his/her specialty area.
• May manage total parenteral nutrition macronutrient calculations for specialized populations.
• May conduct and/or collaborate in nutrition research.
• May enter nutrition-related orders, as defined by University of Utah Registered Dietitian Order Writing Protocol.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Demonstrated potential ability to perform the essential functions as outlined above.

• Ability to provide care to the population served.

• Demonstrated knowledge of the principles of life span growth and development.

• Ability to assess data regarding the patient's status and provide care as described in the department's policies and procedures manual.

• Demonstrated computer literacy skills, including word processing, nutrient analysis, and spreadsheet software.

• Demonstrated human relations and effective communication skills.

• Ability to educate individuals with various levels of education and understanding.

• Knowledge of nutrition-related order entry to include applicability of ordering pertinent lab values, swallowing evaluations, and inpatient/outpatient consults to ancillary services that align with patients' nutrition care plan.

• Demonstrated service excellence for patient and family-centered care by showing respect, honesty, fairness, and a positive attitude toward all customers.

• Demonstrated accountability with the rules for use and disclosure of patient/client protected health information required by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

• Advanced knowledge of human physiology, biochemistry, and metabolism as it relates to clinical nutrition status, food chemistry, nutrient composition, and dietary analysis.

• Knowledge of federal requirements set forth under the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Conditions of Participation (CoP) and/or Conditions of Coverage (CoC) in order to receive Medicare/Medicaid payment.

Qualifications

Qualifications

Licenses Required

• Registered Dietitian with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

• Current License to practice as a Certified Dietitian in the State of Utah.

Qualifications (Preferred)

Preferred

• Two years of clinical/practical experience.
• Nutrition Focused Physical Exam (NFPE) Training.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

Employee must be able to meet the following requirements with or without an accommodation.

• This position involves light work that may exert up to 20 pounds and may consistently require light work involving lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling or otherwise moving objects involving patient care or medical equipment.

Physical Requirements