Registered Dietitian II

Responsibilities:

• Provides direct patient care using medical nutrition therapy for assigned patient populations requiring nutrition support therapies (parenteral nutrition, enteral nutrition, intravenous fluid with multiple diet modifications) and in which medications are an integral component in the design of the nutrition therapy. Applies to dietitians with 75% or more of their patient care duties assigned to patients of intensive care units, or who are members of the Home Parenteral Nutrition, Center for Gut Rehabilitation and Transplant, or Nutrition Support Teams. Dietitians collaborate with providers to design nutrition care plans due to the high safety risk and injury potential.
• Assesses patients for signs and symptoms of nutritional deficiencies and performs a nutrition-focused physical exam. Reviews the electronic medical record for the patient’s clinical condition. Evaluates nutritional needs, including calorie, protein, fluid and electrolytes; diagnoses and documents malnutrition; collaborates with providers to manage the nutritional needs of patients receiving oral diets, tube feedings and parenteral nutrition. 
• Implements a nutritional care plan, communicates plan, establishes a follow-up system and maintains documentation.
• Writes orders for diets, oral supplements, tube feedings and pends parenteral nutrition orders.
• Provides counseling and education services to patients with disease processes requiring nutritional management.
• Supports the dietetic internship program as a supervised practice rotation preceptor and class instructor and coordinates activities of dietetic technician if assigned to area.
• Develops and contributes to Cleveland Clinic sponsored education programs to physicians, nurses, allied health professionals, students, peers and the public.
• Creates and revises education materials related to disease management through medical nutrition therapy.
• Actively contributes to department strategic initiatives, committees and projects.
• Participates in professional growth activities; attends and contributes to conferences and seminars on nutrition and related topics.
• Represents Cleveland Clinic on nutrition related matters include team/unit.
• Participates in clinical research and/or quality improvement projects. Utilizes clinical software applications to facilitate care.
• Complies with all regulatory and professional organization standards including CMS, The Joint Commission and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Adheres to established policies and procedures of the department and Cleveland Clinic.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in nutrition, dietetics or closely related field. Completion of a Dietetic Internship or Credentialed Program.

Certifications:

• Maintains current license to practice dietetics in the State of Ohio (LD) and active certification as a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist (RD/RDN).
• Must earn and maintain Board Certification as a Certified Nutrition Support Clinician (CNSC) within two years of hire/assignment (adult services); Certified Specialist in Pediatrics (CSP) required for all pediatric dietitians.

Complexity of Work:

• Requires critical thinking skills, decisive judgment and the ability to work unsupervised or with minimal supervision with the healthcare team.
• Must be able to work in a stressful environment and take appropriate action.

Work Experience:

• Prefer two years related experience; minimum one year experience as a Registered Dietitian in clinical nutrition.
• Successful completion of the Cleveland Clinic Dietetic Internship Program or equivalent may substitute for experience requirement.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to navigate extensively to provide services to a large number of patients throughout the hospital and clinic sites. Must have manual dexterity to sufficiently perform computer entry and nutrition-focused physical examinations.
• Must have physical ability to measure and weigh ambulating patients.

Personal Protective Equipment:

• Follows standard precautions using personal protective equipment as required.