SENIOR NUTRITIONIST / 16 HR / DAY / BWH NUTRITIONAL SERVICES at DFCI

GENERAL OVERVIEW

Responsible for nutritional assessments and implementing a plan of nutritional care for specialized oncology ambulatory populations, based on identification and assessment of a patient's nutritional needs, correlated with other health plans. Requires strong interpersonal and interviewing skills for competence in both clinical and managerial areas. Requires leadership in a variety of settings and formal and informal teaching to medical students, house staff, nurses, dietetic interns, and allied health personnel. Serves as a resource person in area of specialization for the hospital and community.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Maintains excellent rapport and effective working relationships with patients and their families, physicians, nurses, managers, and administration.
2. Interviews ambulatory patients and families to assess and evaluate social, financial, environmental, and medical factors impacting nutrition status; reviews patient information obtained from medical records, and/or health care providers, to determine patient needs.
3. Counsels ambulatory individuals and groups in oncology with varied nutritional needs, taking into consideration diagnosis, socio-economic, and educational backgrounds. Uses behavioral and attitude change treatment modalities.
4. Develops nutrition care plans utilizing clinical, biochemical, socio-economic, and psychosocial factors. Documents and communicates nutrition care plans through written and verbal systems (EMR, discussion at rounds or patient conferences). Documents in record based on established standards of practice.
5. Participates as a team member in conferences on behalf of patients with other health care professionals, and communicates to patient care staff any nutritional problems which may affect a patient's response to overall medical care and treatment.
6. Interprets, evaluates, and utilizes pertinent current research related to nutritional care and presents such at team conferences and/or practitioner correspondence
7. Evaluates new enteral products and recommends products based upon their appropriateness and safety. This includes keeping up to date with the most current products available, assessing their nutritional composition and form, and preparing guidelines for their safe use and for cost control.
8. Collaborates with in patient dietitians re: patient referrals; discharge and continuing care plans
9. Assists in the development of standards of practice within the Department of Nutrition. Assists in monitoring of selected clinical indicators and departmental audits.
10. As assigned, assesses, recommends and documents on enterally and parenterally-fed patients.
11. Participates in selected quality management programs.
12. Participates in patient satisfaction surveys and problem solving with nutrition and customer service issues.
13. Serves as a nutrition consultant, resource, and lecturer for health care providers. students, and the general public.
14. Performs other duties as requested by management staff.

Administrative Responsibilities:

1. Assists the Director of Nutrition in the development and implementation of programmatic planning, and in evaluation studies of patient care and educational methodology;
2. Collects and reports clinical outcomes data for quality improvement projects
3. Submits patient charge information within EPIC
4. Develops and expands entrepreneurial proficiency in program patient volume and growth. Works with Director of Nutrition to establish and manage volume/productivity targets.

Educational Responsibilities:

1. Plans, conducts, supervises, and evaluates the educational experiences of Dietetic Interns for the DFCI ambulatory rotation
2. Conducts individual and group classes, both formal and informal, for students and professional personnel, both intra- and inter-departmentally.
3. Serves as a mentor to less experienced staff and fosters team work to promote cooperation and support for patient care activities.
4. Develops and presents group education classes to hospital staff, professional organizations, the community at large, media and/or contract institutions.
5. Publishes in peer-reviewed or lay publications. Presents at professional conferences.
6. Develops and expands professional proficiency in oncology.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

1. Works in varied but normal office environment within out-patient care areas; no discomfort due to temperature, dust, noise, and the like.
2. Work requires moderate to considerable mental strain when counseling patients or providing consultation to community groups, health care professionals, and the media.
3. Work requires flexibility in scheduling to accommodate patients
4. Exposure to disease.

BWH is an Affirmative Action Employer. By embracing diverse skills, perspectives and ideas, we choose to lead. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.