Pediatric Dietitian

Department Overview

OHSU is Oregon’s only public academic health center. We are a system of hospitals and clinics across Oregon and southwest Washington. We are an institution of higher learning, with schools of medicine, nursing, pharmacy, dentistry and public health – and with a network of campuses and partners throughout Oregon. We are a national research hub, with thousands of scientists developing lifesaving therapies and deeper understanding. We are a statewide economic engine and Portland’s largest employer. And as a public organization, we provide services for the most vulnerable Oregonians, and outreach to improve health in communities across the state.

The purpose of this position is to provide specialized medical nutrition therapy to pediatric patients with

congenital and/or acquired diseases of infancy and childhood using the nutrition care process of assessment, diagnosis, intervention, and monitoring and evaluation; to reduce morbidity and mortality due to malnutrition, and to promote wellness. Position includes Adolescent Health (Eating Disorders), Weight Management, and GI. May also provide care to adult patients as dictated by staffing needs.

Function/Duties of Position

• Nutrition Assessment: Consults medical team, nursing, social work, and other therapies (PT/OT/Speech and Language, etc.) Concerning problems affecting patient's food habits and needs; interviews parents or care giver to obtain diet history, food or formula tolerances, allergies, social/economic/cultural information, food preparation habits and cooking facilities; inquires about food preferences, chewing or swallowing difficulties, completes anthromometric measurements;

  analyzes patient's data (diagnosis, medications, medical history) to determine nutritional status and develop nutrition care plan

• Nutrition Care Plan: Recommends and documents appropriate medical nutrition therapy; advises physicians, nurses, and other health care team regarding implementation of nutrition care; selects types and amounts of food for special diets based on indicated physiological, psychological and biochemical needs of patients and integrates them with food preferences; indicates mode of feeding for infants or children with chewing or swallowing difficulties; assesses the need for

  alternate means of nutrition support (i.e. enteral vs. parenteral) and develops appropriate formulation. 

• Provides medical nutrition therapy to pediatric outpatient population

• Nutrition Care Plan Follow-up: Evaluates meals served for conformance to prescribed diet and standards of palatability and appearance; conducts nutrition rounds to note patients adherence to nutritional plan; monitors anthropometric, biochemical indices and caloric intake to determine appropriateness of care plan; modifies nutritional intervention as necessary; participates in patient care conferences and multi disciplinary team meetings; plans for patient, parent or care giver counseling for nutrition modification

• Nutrition Instruction: Counsels patient, parents, or care giver in appropriate diet and/or formula modifications; provides educational materials and verbal instruction to support inpatient and outpatient nutrition care plan; provides education material to other health team members regarding infant formulas, nutrition supplements or diet modifications; acts a resource for OHSU and surrounding community in the area of pediatric nutrition.

Required Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree with specialization in dietetics, nutrition, institution management, or a closely related field and completion of a pre-planned professional experience in dietetics at a facility approved by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)

• Registered Dietitian/Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) Licensed Dietitian in the state of Oregon

• Additional certifications may be required based on the specific department the position resides in, as indicated by the position description.

Job Related Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (Competencies):

• Must be proficient in the nutrition care process
• Must be able to determine the nutrient requirements of the pediatric inpatient and outpatient to ensure adequate nutrient intake and/or replacement of nutrients loss secondary to medical condition;
• determine the nutrient make-up of patients meal patterns and medications (dosage and timing) that affect nutrient and/or drug bioavailablity; 
• determine malnutrition and recommend and administer medical nutrition therapy to improve digestion, absorption and metabolism of nutrients;
• make recommendations concerning adjustment of some medications that relate to nutrition, in order to promote increased well-being of the patient, maintenance of acceptable blood chemistries, increased bioavailability of drugs, decreased hospitalization days, and cost-effectiveness of regimens. 
• Must complete annual age specific competency training and post test. 

Preferred Qualifications

• MS in Nutrition or related field
• 2 years clinical experience with 1 year working in pediatrics strongly preferred
• Clinical dietetic experience in acute care facility with pediatric experience
• Specialist in Pediatric Nutrition or other qualifying certification to meet the criteria of Clinical Dietitian Specialist. If employee meets the criteria the position will be reclassified as a Clinical Dietitian Specialist WA Certificate (CD) required within six months of hire.

Additional Details

Day Shift; days may vary; evening clinics. Weekend Rotation. Shares office with 4-10 other dietitians.

Must be able to carry up to 15# (on case of formula); must be able to walk long distances between buildings; must be able to stand, sit, and change positions through out the day; must be able to use computers, calculators, skin fold calipers, stadiometer, scale. Perform nutrition focused physical exam after competent.

Why apply to OHSU?