Status: Full Time Shift: M-F 07:30 - 16:00 Exempt: Yes Summary The Outpatient Dietitian performs a variety of specialized duties related to the nutrition counseling of patients and families for Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) diet education. This may include but are not limited to: - Diabetes education - Weight management - Cardiovascular disease - Renal disease - Malnutrition - Obesity - Infants with failure to thrive - Cancer and nutrition therapy - Gastrointestinal disorders and nutrition therapy - Sports nutrition - Food allergies The Outpatient Dietitian may also be required to assess outpatients receiving home tube feedings and make appropriate recommendations. The outpatient dietitian will also be responsible to collaborate with Diabetes Education in the care plan of patients and teaching classes. Other Information EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, AND SKILL Minimum Acceptable Qualifications (Required) 1. Possession of current Registered Dietitian license from the State of Louisiana and registration from the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Preferred Qualifications - Ability to work independently as well as with a wide variety of staff members of varying education and cultures. - Counseling and educational training for individual and group work. - Ability to troubleshoot problems associated with special needs such as seniors, families, low-income patients, clinical conditions, and associated co-morbidities. - Maintenance of effective relationships with other health care professionals when sharing patients. - Excellent oral and written communication skills. - Excellent customer service skills. - Knowledge of menu planning and the conversion of nutrient recommendations into food and menus. Manual or Physical Skill Required - Must have legible handwriting. - Must have basic computer skills. Physical Effort Required - Strength: Light - Push: Occasionally - Pull: Occasionally - Carry: Occasionally - Lift: Occasionally - Sit: Occasionally - Stand: Frequently - Walk: Frequently Responsibilities 1. Obtains the patients weight, height, and past medical history as it pertains to MNT. This is documented in the Electronic Health Record. 2. Interviews patients/families, which may include obtaining a diet history, exercise habits, reviewing emotional/social issues as part of the diet counseling process, and documents any pertinent information obtained in the Electronic Health Record. 3. Makes appropriate referrals to other services such as the Diabetes Educator, Social Services, or various Food Assistance Programs as indicated. 4. Counsels patients/families on medical nutrition/diet therapy principles and restrictions. 5. Utilizes available medical nutrition therapy education materials or obtains them from reputable sources such as the Nutrition Care Manual. 6. In the case of home tube feeding patients, evaluates nutrient requirements, evaluates the current tube feeding regimen, and provides recommendations for appropriate adjustments in terms of the type of formula, rate, and water flushes, and possible need for additional vitamins or mineral supplements to the patients primary care provider via telephone or fax. 7. Documents the nutrition counseling session in the Electronic Health Record on the appropriate Outpatient Dietitian templates. 8. Schedules or reschedules outpatient nutrition counseling appointments as needed and time permits. 9. Develops and updates Nutrition Education patient materials. 10. Assists in projects to increase patient referrals as needed and time permits. 11. Performs duties as assigned to implement Employee Nutrition program. 12. Work with inpatient hospital staff on nutrition and diabetes related issues as needed and time permits. 13. Collaborate with referring providers for continuity of care. 14. Other duties as assigned. 15. Follows North Oaks Health Systems compliance programs and all federal and state regulatory guidelines.