The posting
Job Description
The Dietitian is part of the multi-disciplinary inpatient or ambulatory care team, providing nutritional care to Harborview’s patients. Dietitians perform nutrition assessment, education and medical nutrition therapy and/or directs others in professional administrative dietetic services. The Dietitian participates in quality improvement, professional development, and education of other healthcare professionals. The Dietitian complies with applicable regulatory laws, regulations and HMC scope of practice.
RESPONSIBILIES:
- Provides nutrition care using the Nutrition Care Process for the nutritionally complex patient populations
- Assesses nutrition status
- Compiles relevant data to assess nutritional status (data from medical chart, patient/family interview, healthcare team, and physical exam). Collects anthropometric data as appropriate.
- Analyzes and interprets data to make nutrition assessment. Includes nutrient intake, energy and nutrient requirements and takes into consideration patient's age, medical, psycho-social, and cultural background.
- Develops nutrition care plan:
- Determines the nutrition diagnoses.
- Identifies desired outcomes/goals of nutrition care for individual patients.
- Determines priorities for intervention based on interpretation of nutrition assessment.
- Determines nutrient and energy requirements for individual patients based on age (infant, pediatric, adolescent, adult, geriatric), sex, and state of health. Selects appropriate method of feeding and sources of specific nutrients for individual patients based on age, sex, state of health, cultural needs, and stage of development.
- Documents the nutrition care plan in the medical record. Directly communicates recommendations to medial team leaders.
- Implements nutrition care plan
- Recommends nutrition prescription and nutrition-related monitoring procedures for patient; documents in medical record.
- Communicates plan for nutrition care directly to patient or significant other, health team members and leader; documents communication and plan in the medical record.
- Communicates directly to appropriate personnel (e.g. physician, ARNP, food service, pharmacy, central supply) the specific actions to implement individual patient's nutrition care plan; documents in the medical record.
- Takes nutrition care related orders per electronic order power plans where the provider delegates order writing to the dietitian.
- Implements nutrition-related standing orders
- Implements preference-based meal service for patients in compliance with physician therapeutic diet order (e.g. Vegan preferences for a patient on a physician ordered “Low Sodium Diet” order).
- Down grades diet texture as needed (e.g. adding “Mechanical Soft” restriction to a physician ordered “Low Fat Diet” order) in compliance with physician therapeutic diet orders.
- Adds oral nutrition supplements to trays in compliance with physician therapeutic diet order (e.g. adds Ensure Plus supplement to a physician ordered “Gluten-Free” Diet order).
- Evaluates nutrition intervention
- Monitors and documents patient's adherence to and tolerance of nutrition care.
- Analyzes and interprets feedback from the patient regarding acceptance and understanding of nutrition plan.
- Monitors the outcome of nutrition care for patient and documents in the medical record as necessary.
- Provides nutrition education and referral
- From assessment data, identifies educational needs of patient and/or significant others.
- Formulates educational objectives at the appropriate level of complexity considering the patient's age, psychosocial, cultural and economical needs. Utilizes appropriate instructional aids, designing and preparing educational materials if necessary.
- Counsels patients concerning nutrition concepts based on educational objectives and desired change in eating habits.
- Gives classes and lectures on nutrition to groups of patients.
- Allows for feedback from patient to assess understanding.
- Follows up to evaluate patient compliance and goal outcomes.
- Determines need for follow-up or referral outside the health care facility.
- Documents Nutrition care plan and progress in Electronic Health Record (EHR)
- Documentation follows the department ORCA or EPIC format procedure.
- Documentation is completed within designated time frame according to procedure.
- Participates in evidence-based practice
- Communicates and utilizes current nutrition knowledge and research findings in clinical dietetics practice.
- Participates in educational programs and performance improvement projects. Contributes to goals of HMC throughout representation and participation in professional organizations.
- May design, implement or participate in nutrition-related research in a specialized area. May submit articles for professional journals.
- Applies professional training and incorporates new trends and techniques as necessary to: design patient care audits; update the diet manual; develop nutrition care plans and educational material.
- Participates in quality assurance activities of the department and medical center; actively identifies and implements strategies for improving patient care based on medical center priorities.
- Integrates food service component into nutrition practice
- Gives consultation and reviews menus for compliance with therapeutic guidelines.
- Gives consultation in specifying standards and procedures for preparing and serving food (regular and modified/therapeutic diets).
- Gives consultation in specifying standards and procedures for preparing supplemental nutrient products for modified diets. Patient Centered / Team Orientation: Works with the health care team:
- Provides nutrition education programs for health team staff and serves as a preceptor for nutrition and allied health professional students as assigned.
- Consults with other health team members to coordinate nutrition care of patients.
- Promotes patient engagement through communication via phone or EMR portal (E-care).
- Consults and confers with Hospitality/Nutrition team members. Serves as team leader for all patients on assigned medical services or patient care areas including patients monitored by the dietetic technician if appropriate.
- Maintains communication with food service and management bringing food concerns to managers attention in a timely manner. Bringing food concerns to manager attention the same day they are identified is preferred.
- Acts as liaison between patient, nurses, medical staff, and the Department of Nutrition and Foodservices. Thinks proactively and strategically – helps create growth and positive change.
- Participates in interdisciplinary research and committees.
- Promotes nutrition and health wellness to patients and the community
- Teaches nutrition classes, provides food demonstrations and participates in wellness events for patients and community groups.
- Develops nutrition related written and audio/visual education materials.
- With delegated authority, participates in the interviewing, on-boarding and performance evaluation of other employees within the department as assigned
- Interviews and recommends selection of applicants.
- Trains new employees. Helps develop training resources and materials for other staff.
- Assigns work and schedules work hours.
- Acts upon leave requests.
- Conducts performance evaluations.
- Recommends disciplinary action.
- Functions as a nutrition support specialist to assigned medical specialty services
- Performs professional specialist nutritional care for clinical services such as oncology, transplants, burns, surgery, diabetes, trauma, neurosurgery and neurology.
- Provies nutritional care leadership for specific clinical service areas such as developing education programs and acting as a clinical resource specialist for staff, students and community. AND/OR directs food service system in a specialty area such as food marketing, oncology or burns.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
A Bachelor’s degree involving major study in food and nutrition or dietetics
AND
Registration as a Dietitian by the American Dietetic Association
OR
Eligible for registration at the time of hire and pass the registration examination within one year of date of hire.
Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.
Compensation, Benefits and Position Details
Pay Range Minimum:
$37.00 hourly
Pay Range Maximum:
$57.92 hourly
Other Compensation:
-
Benefits:
For information about benefits for this position, visit https://www.washington.edu/jobs/benefits-for-temporary-per-diem-and-less-than-half-time/
Shift:
First Shift (United States of America)
Temporary or Regular?
This is a temporary position
FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):
0.00%
Union/Bargaining Unit:
SEIU 1199NW HMC Social Worker and Dietitian
ABOUT UW MEDICINE – WHERE YOUR IMPACT GOES FURTHER
UW Medicine is Washington’s only health system that includes a top-rated medical school and an internationally recognized research center. UW Medicine’s mission is to improve the health of the public by advancing medical knowledge, providing outstanding primary and specialty care to the people of the region, and preparing tomorrow’s physicians, scientists and other health professionals.
All across UW Medicine, our employees collaborate to perform the highest quality work with integrity and compassion and to create a respectful, welcoming environment where every patient, family, student and colleague is valued and honored. Nearly 29,000 healthcare professionals, researchers, and educators work in the UW Medicine family of organizations that includes: Harborview Medical Center, UW Medical Center - Montlake, UW Medical Center - Northwest, UW Medicine Primary Care, UW Physicians, UW School of Medicine, and Airlift Northwest.
Our Commitment
The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer, the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81.
To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or [email protected].
Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.
