Dietitian

The Dietitian oversees patient diets in accordance with physician orders and ensures nutritional adequacy of patient menus. 

• Conducts Nutritional assessments and monitoring per DNV guidelines.  

• Conducts nutrition education and in-service education to meet the needs of patients and staff. 

• Assesses patient's nutritional status and establishes goals for each patient within 72 hours of admission. 

• Provides appropriate educational in-service to dietary and nursing departments. 

• Communicates with all appropriate disciplines information regarding patient care regularly.  

• Participates in patient team conferences. 

• Participates on appropriate committees as appointed. 

• Evaluates and approve patient menus and approves modified diets. 

• Instruct patients and their families on the nutritional needs at home and appropriate ways to achieve these as ordered by the physician. 

• Educates patient/family on food/drug interactions and documents appropriate notation of such in the patient medical record. 

• Documents all pertinent information regarding the patient's nutritional care in the patient's medical record in a timely and consistent manner. 

• Assists in planning and conducting appropriate performance improvement. 

• Develops and maintains department policies and procedures. 

• Operates within set departmental budget and implements cost-saving procedures. 

• Correlates dietary needs with laboratory findings consistently. 

• Collaborates with physicians regarding nutritional needs and suggestions.  

• Closely monitors patient weight to ensure goals of gain or loss are achieved.  

• Recommends and/or assists with specific nutritional patient measurements to evaluate more specific goals, i.e., calorie counts, pre-albumin/albumin monitoring, etc. 

• Allots extra time and problem-solving to children who fail to thrive, are picky eaters, have digestive problems, etc., to improve nutritional status. 

• Ensures flexibility and creativity in methods developed to assist children in eating. 

• Performs other duties as assigned. 

EDUCATION:   

• Bachelor's of Science in Nutrition, Dietetics or related degree 

• Master's degree preferred 

EXPERIENCE:   

• One (1) year of clinical experience, pediatrics preferred 

LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION:  

• Licensed Dietitian in the state of Texas 

• Registered with the Commission on Dietetic Registration