JOB SUMMARY
The Dietitian at North Mississippi Health Services is responsible for conducting nutritional assessments, developing care plans, and monitoring patients' progress to ensure effective medical nutrition therapy. They provide individual counseling to patients with specific dietary needs, teach diet services to staff, and mentor peers and assistants in patient care. The role requires strong communication skills, adherence to regulatory standards, budgetary awareness, and the ability to work independently, make informed decisions, and collaborate with various healthcare professionals.
| **JOB** **FUNCTIONS** | | --- | Nutritional Assessment/Care Plans: * Assesses patients/residents as referred by the physician or nurse, as determined to be high nutritional risk or per regulatory requirements and develops plans for medical nutrition therapy. * Monitors patients’/residents’ progress to assure efficacy of chosen nutrition therapy and recommends changes in therapy to the physician. * Implements plans as ordered. * Per policy guidelines rounds on patients and residents. * Participates in patient satisfaction programs. Education: * Counsels patients/clients individually with a wide variety of disease-specific needs as appropriate for age. * Teaches diet in services to food nutrition staff as needed. * Mentors less experienced peers and Dietitian’s Assistants in patient care. * Trains dietetic interns, as assigned. Communication: * Discusses patient’s/resident’s nutrition problems with the healthcare team, as appropriate; documents pertinent information and recommendations in the medical record. * Serves on patient care teams to improve specific patients’ care. * Communicates need for changes in food service and clinical standards appropriately within FNS. * Collects & submits data/information in a timely manner for Performance Improvement &other required reports. * Communicates changes in patient/resident food services to Nursing & other departments, as appropriate. * Communicates schedule, operational & procedural changes to all customers effectively and timely. * Assists in programs for all internal and external customers to help meet their expectations and needs. * Complies and submits data and reports assigned appropriately and on a timely basis. * Rounds on patients and residents. * Work Closely6 with CDM it ensures that food staff is compliant with regulations -policies/procedures. Budget: * Assists in budget requests and planning as needed, and is aware of status of budgetary adherence. * Demonstrates and participates in controlling costs and minimizing waste. Safe Food Handling & Sanitation: * Complies with proper food sanitation & complies with State Board of Health Standards. * Must perform monthly and prn sanitation rounds in kitchen and report findings to director and administrator.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Education Level
Education Details
Required/Preferred
Bachelor's Degree
B. S. degree in Foods & Nutrition or qualifying nutrition-related major.
Required
And
Other (Experience)
Maintains continuing education requirements.
Required
Licenses and Certifications
Licenses and Certifications
Licenses and Certifications Details
Time Frame
Required/
Preferred
Registered or registry-eligible, defined by Commission on Dietetic Registration / American Dietetic Association
Upon Hire
Required
And
State licensure is required, or be able
within 60 Days
Required
And
Serve Safe Certification or achieved in
within 1 Year
Preferred
Work Experience
Number of Years
Work Experience Details
Required/
Preferred
Knowledge Skills and Abilities
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
Required/Preferred
Proficiency
Has basic computer skills and knowledge.
Required
N/A
Demonstrates nutrition care competency with assigned populations eg. Infants, children, adolescent, adult, geriatrics
Required
N/A
Uses the breadth of the facility’s, department’s, and area resources to solve patient-care problems.
Required
N/A
Knowledgeable about and adheres to current regulatory-agency standards in area of practice.
Required
N/A
Interprets and utilizes current nutrition and medical research and changes practice accordingly.
Required
N/A
Develops educational materials, incorporating new knowledge and accommodating different literacy levels.
Required
N/A
Adheres to NMHS's mission, vision & values regarding quality patient care and customer service.
Required
N/A
Participates in community outreach activities; responds to nutritional questions from the community.
Required
N/A
Self starter, works independently, balances a variety tasks.
Required
N/A
Prioritizes work; demonstrates teamwork, works with FNS staff to meet patient’s/resident’s nutritional needs.
Required
N/A
Serves as an assistant to Director and Directs Food Services in the absence of the Director -assist in department in whichever role is needed
Required
N/A
Take call with CDM to ensure adequate coverage in the Food services Department
Required
N/A
Frequent contact with internal & external customers; ie: patients /residents, visitors, Medical staff, Nurses, other healthcare professionals, FNS staff and dietetic interns.
Required
N/A
Works cooperatively with fellow team members to ensure positive and productive work atmosphere.
Required
N/A
Effectively and professionally consults with physicians, nurses, pharmacists, speech pathologists and other health care providers on alternate choices of medical nutrition therapy as appropriate.
Required
N/A
Serves as a FNS representative for patients with complex nutritional needs and who have food service issues.
Required
N/A
Regularly recognizes and acknowledges staff for a job well done.
Required
N/A
Reflects a positive, caring attitude toward all patients, staff and the public.
Required
N/A
Resolves customer complaints and consumer questions appropriately and effectively.
Required
N/A
Demonstrates adherence to NMHS’ Mission, Vision and Values Statement and to Service Excellence Standards.
Required
N/A
At North Mississippi Health Services, our mission is to “continuously improve the health of the people of our region.” Our vision is to “provide the best patient and family-centered care and health services in America.” We believe that fulfilling our mission and vision calls us to embrace the best people that form incredible connections to our patients and families.
We take pride in celebrating everything that makes you uniquely you – your talents, your perspectives, and your passions. At North Mississippi Health Services, we believe in connecting your passion with a purpose. When you are part of our team, you know what connected feels like.
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