Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Under the immediate supervision of the Chief Nursing Officer, coordinates plans and conducts programs to educate patients about nutrition and administering medical nutrition therapy. Assesses nutritional adequacy of diet orders. Performs nutritional assessments of patients. Counsels patients and family on diet or nutritional status. Writes and updates diet and/or formula lists. Performs department quality improvement and oversees functioning of dietary department operations to provide advice to food service operations.

Projects a professional demeanor and appearance while maintaining the confidentiality of patients, coworkers, and facility information and adhering to the HIPAA policy. Reports, in good faith, any known or suspected activity that appears to violate laws, rules, regulations or the SP Code of Conduct. Fulfills annual continuing education requirements.

Personal attributes include the ability to be self-directed; demonstrates accountability, professionalism, and receptiveness to change; seeks guidance, direction, and assistance when needed. Works under stress and in situations that demand patience, stamina, endurance, and tact while providing impeccable service. Fosters an attitude of teamwork and willingness to assist others and does not refuse performing other job duties as requested. Set's priorities, responds timely to issues, which require a decision, and ensure desired results are achieved by means of consistent follow through. Willingly accepts other assignments as the need arises.

Necessary Attributes:

• Able to work independently and meet established deadlines.
• Able to make sound reasonable decisions.
• Highly organized with ability to concentrate on many detailed requests despite numerous interruptions.
• Demonstrates accountability, professionalism, openness, receptiveness to change.
• Display creativity and innovation.
• Ability to identify and calmly handle inherently stressful situations with tact.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Ability to develop excellent working relationships with consumers and staff.
• Seeks guidance, direction and assistance when needed.

Patient Population:

The patient population served by South Texas Spine & Surgical Hospital is a minimum of 12 years and/or of adult stature to geriatric patients requiring or seeking pain and/or surgical intervention.

Physical Requirements:

May be expected to lift up to 10 - 20 pounds occasionally. Work is of light demand; walking, standing and sitting most of the time while on duty. Visual and auditory acuity and manual dexterity essential to performing designated duties required. Optimal auditory acuity required. Manual dexterity involving the handling of office equipment is essential to performing assigned duties. Physical conditions are clean, neat and well lit. Climate control and ambient temperature variances may be experienced. Hours of duty may be irregular or unexpectedly extended due to the requirements of the job.

OSHA Exposure Classification:

• Demonstrates eligibility for employment in the U.S.
• Bachelor's degree
• Registered Dietitian through the Commission on Dietetic Registration, LD status preferred.
• 2 years of management experience in a healthcare related field
• Knowledge of commonly used concepts, practices, and procedures within a particular field.
• Knowledge of state, federal and accrediting body regulations and standards related to accounting and healthcare, preferred
• Ability to read, write and communicate effectively in English, with additional languages preferred.
• Demonstrates ability to comprehend written and oral instructions.
• Willingness to participate in goal-setting and educational activities for his/her own professional advancement and that of others
• Must be computer literate with basic fundamental computer skills that are required to perform essential job related duties.

PEOPLE

1. Establish and foster educational relationship with Dietary staff
2. Establish and foster educational relationship with patient in clinical nutrition setting
3. Establish and foster clinical relationship with Nursing and other clinical staff to enable good hand off communication.
4. Establish and foster clinical relationship with Physicians so as to provide excellent resource as clinical nutrition expert.

SERVICE

1. Exceed the nutrition needs and expectations of each patient who meets criteria for nutritional consult.
2. Exceed the needs and expectations of any Physician who requests a nutritional consult for their patient.
3. Reviews all menus for patient nutritional value.

QUALITY

1. Develop and maintain policies and procedures to meet the Regulatory Compliance needs of the facility.
2. Compliance with all facility policies and procedures with regard to Nutrition Care as evidenced by zero clinical nutrition survey deficiencies.
3. Report all identified compliance concerns to the Compliance Officer for timely resolution.
4. Report all unresolved Dietary concerns to the Chief Nursing Officer so that Dietary direct chain of command may resolve regulatory concerns.
5. Comply with staffing requirements.
6. Completion of required data quarterly as determined by the Quality Council.

FINANCE

1. Use resources wisely as clinical nutrition policies and procedures are developed and implemented in facility.
2. Provide Dietary expertise as warranted to offer financial control of patient cost per meals served and other Dietary costs.
3. Continue to offer services on a per diem basis to meet the expanding need of clinical nutrition therapy treatment; thereby limiting licensed personnel costs to the immediate needs of the patient population.

GROWTH

1. Work with Nursing and Dietary personnel to communicate dietary consults in a timely manner so that each diabetic is seen within their length of stay.

OTHER DUTIES

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.