Advanced Dietitian - Outpatient, Full-Time, Days

Job Description

The Advanced Dietitian reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization's Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

This position covers the outpatient areas of Integrative Medicine, Metabolic Stone Clinic and Movement Disorders Clinic.

A licensed, registered Advanced Dietitian can perform the full range of Clinical Dietitian duties. In addition, the Advanced Dietitian practices in a specialized area such as renal disease, transplant, neonatology, critical care or nutrition support, and demonstrates a specialized knowledge to complete quality patient care.

The Advanced Dietitian holds advanced certification in a specialized area of nutrition. They can function autonomously in providing nutrition therapy, and collaborate with other health professionals to provide high quality, evidence based nutrition care through expert clinical reasoning and judgment.

The Advanced Dietitian utilizes clinical assessment skills to implement, initiate, or modify orders for diet or nutrition related actions in collaboration with patients’ health care teams.

They are responsible for administrative activities, including coverage for level 1 manager, dietetic intern development, and program development.

Responsibilities :

• Demonstrates clinical expertise and expanded knowledge of advanced nutrition and application to the complex patient
• Demonstrates skilled order writing and nutrition prescription abilities for the complex patient
• Develops / revises nutrition care protocols for patient populations / diagnoses groups, and acts as a leader for the health care team in the implementation of nutrition therapies
• Serves as a resource for nutrition staff, medical staff, nursing and students
• Confers and collaborates with health care team in the comprehensive care of patients
• Develops appropriate education systems for patients, families, and staff in areas of expertise
• Mentors staff / students in aspects of advanced nutrition and patient care
• Champions new departmental initiatives and implements appropriate action plans

Clinical

• Specializes in specific clinical area such as renal disease, transplant, neonatology, critical care or nutrition support and maintains advanced practice certifications
• Clinical assessment of patients, including but not limited to medical diagnosis and history, lab values, diet history, medication, and other medical information to determine patient nutritional status, and appropriate plan of care and nutrition interventions
• Plan and prescribe appropriate nutrition therapy within scope of expertise and privileging for desired patient outcome
• Identify and initiate appropriate nutritional interventions
• Collaborate with healthcare team to align interventions with goals of care
• Prescribe and initiate appropriate nutritional therapy in accordance with specified privileges :
• Therapeutic diet, nutrition related labs, nutritional supplements, enteral support (tube feedings and modulars), parenteral support with common additives, including but not limited to electrolytes, vitamins / minerals, insulin
• Interprets / discusses data regarding pharmacotherapy
• Selects appropriate feeding route and enteral / parenteral formula, including additional modulars and additives as listed above
• Teaches and counsels patients and families on appropriate nutrition therapy for disease state or prevention and wellness, desired outcomes and behavior objectives
• Evaluates effectiveness / outcomes of intervention / therapies and modifies treatment / interventions as needed. Measures may include anthropometrics, changes in medical condition, and tolerance to therapies
• Collaborates with home care providers / DMEs for prescribed nutritional support

Professional

• Demonstrates the following professional attributes :
• Integrates evidence-based knowledge into clinical expertise and decision making
• Exemplifies a professional image in appearance, manner and presentation Advocates for patients, families, coworkers, community and nutrition professionals
• Maintains advanced certification and continuing education as required by the Commission on Dietetic Registration, state licensure and other regulatory bodies
• Assumes leadership roles within the organization and in professional organizations

Leadership / Organization

• Serves as a patient advocate and role model for Patients First
• Mentors staff to ensure quality of nutrition practice in patient care
• Assists with policy development and review in areas of expertise
• Leads and creates interdepartmental and / or organizational committees and task forces
• Uses expertise in decision making, problem solving and evaluating nutrition systems and protocols
• Identifies areas for quality monitoring and process improvement, and leads or actively participates in project
• Complete Mylearning courses / leadership training / modules as assigned or recommended by clinical manager
• Responsible for administrative activities, including coverage for level 1 manager as needed

Education

• Provides comprehensive teaching strategies for patients and families
• Provides in-service education / Continuing Education programs in areas of expertise
• Precepts dietetic interns / graduate students and other staff
• Provides formal education to both internal and external groups pertinent to area of specialty

Research

• Actively participates in research opportunities as available
• Participates in department / organization QAPI

Qualifications

Required :

• Bachelors of Science in Nutrition / Dietetics AND completion of the required nutrition classes to be eligible for and complete a Dietetic Internship as approved by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics / Commission on Dietetic Registration.
• Current registration as a dietitian with the Commission on Dietetics
• Current license as a Registered Dietitian with the State of Illinois
• Current certification in an area of advanced practice dietetics or completion of certification within 6 months of hire
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience, with 1-2 years in area of specialty
• Experience in teaching / presenting to professionals for continued education or advanced nutrition care skills
• Excellent networking, organizational and team building skill, along with superior interactions with clients / patients and healthcare teams
• Meets all organizational and department competencies for position and privileges

Preferred :

Master's degree in Nutrition or related field.

Additional Information

Northwestern Medicine is an affirmative action / equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.