Dietitian

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Registered Dietician functions as a member of a collaborative health care team to create and maintain a Patient Centered Medical Home where emphasis is on excellent communication; support of the patient is provided and tracked in a culturally competent, behaviorally enhanced setting supported by information technology.

Due to the nature of NHHC services, it may become necessary to require employees to work extended hours or other variations of the usual shift to ensure adequate care of patients and to maintain services to the community.

CRITICAL JOB ELEMENTS/PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

I. Must greet customers, patients and general public in person or over the telephone in a courteous manner. Must be professional in dealing with employees, patients and the public via personal and telephone contacts. Demonstrate positive attitude towards patients with good eye contact, pleasant voice, attentive and responsive to their needs.

II. Teaches Diabetes Basics classes according to the curriculum written by the Health Education Program Manager.

III. Provides input and/or direction regarding changes or modifications to the curriculum as appropriate, especially as it relates to nutrition.

IV. Designs nutritional educational materials for use in classes and individual consultations.

V. Maintains updated nutritional information related to diabetes, hyperlipidemia, or weight management as well as other clinical information such as medication, physical activity.

VI. Consults with patients individually on diabetes self-management and other nutrition related conditions.

VII. Advocates for patients and consults with medical provider regarding medication adjustments or other treatment modifications, when clinically appropriate, as part of the patient care team.

VIII. Instructs patients on self-monitoring of blood glucose as part of the NHHC glucometer program. This also includes follow-up consults to review blood sugar logs.

IX. Coordinates with diabetes collaborative chairperson on planning and implementing diabetes educational events.

X. Consults with adult and pediatric patients individually and/or in groups on weight management and/or lowering cholesterol or other nutrition related conditions.

XI. As part of the health education team, participates in tracking and documenting patient data in diabetes control and weight management.

XII. Abides by Health Education Dept. policies and procedures.

XIII. Performs all duties to ensure that patients have a pleasant and satisfactory experience in the manner in which their health care is delivered, managed, and coordinated with both internal and external entities and in which the patient participates in the decision-making. Performs other duties as assigned to achieve organizational goals.

XIV. It is mandatory that the employee participate in Quality Performance Improvement projects aimed at improving patient care, outcomes, and efficiency as it pertains to PCMH Standards.

XV. Must abide by all policies and procedures as indicated in the NHHC Employee Handbook, Code of Conduct and Safety Manual.

XVI. Complies with HIPAA Privacy Act requirements and as established by the department.

XVII. Must abide by dress code policy in order to maintain a professional and neat appearance. (For details see Employee Handbook dress code policy).

XVIII. Participate in PCMH orientation to become knowledgeable on the model and to

be able to support the PCMH principles, policies, and procedures.

XIX. Must maintain the Standard of Patient Care within scope of practice by following job duties and responsibilities in accordance with Regulatory Agencies, PCMH, and according to NHHC needs.

XX. In conjunction with the care team, the Registered Dietician will assure that patients receive the services needed in order to maximize patient care in efforts to meet PCMH and NCQA requirements.

Education and Experience:

• Master's or higher in dietetics.
• Be an active Registered Dietitian Licensure.
• One to two years' experience in a clinical nutrition and working with the public preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Bilingual preferred, very good Spanish a must.
• Good computer skills; organizational and managements skills.
• Experience in providing diabetes self-management education including complications, obesity and associated risks.
• Able to maintain positive and cooperative relationship with all clinic staff.
• Relates to NHHC patient population with respect and dignity; especially sensitive to patients with limited sophistication or literacy.
• CPR-BLS certification must be kept current.