Dietitian

Key Functions

• Collect patient information form dietary histories, patient’s chart, patient interviews and observations of patient at the time of admission. Evaluates food intake behavior in relationship to eating disorder pathology.
  • Screens and documents moderate to high nutritional risk.
  • Evaluates diet orders for appropriateness to age, weight, gender, increased nutrition needs, activity and inappropriate eating behaviors.
• Prepare dietary plans for patients that fit their individual life styles and that assure accurate dietary requirements; collaborate with unit staff to plan ongoing nutritional care and record keeping procedures.
  • Assists/prepares individual meal plans with patients to fit nutritional needs along with consideration of their individual life style, and cultural influences.
  • Provides appropriate written documentation of nutrition are in patient’s charts.
  • Collaborates with clinical staff on a patient’s specific nutritional needs related to intakes, special food, modifications in diet and other eating problems.
• Regularly counsel patients, individually and in groups, regarding nutritional needs and offering support of processing information and activities concerning nutrition.
  • Discusses the role of nutrition care therapies with adults, children and adolescent patients and family.
  • Identifies knowledge deficits related to food intake and exercise and provides written nutrition and diet information to patients.
  • Consults with patients about specific food-0drug interactions, provide nutrition counseling as needed upon discharge to family members.
• Serve as member of multidisciplinary teams as needed; serve as a resource to clinical staff regarding information related to diet modifications and nutritional needs of patients; utilize information from current research and resources to educate patients and staff.
  • Participates in team meetings regarding progress and problems with individual patients and proposes changes in food plan as necessary to other team members.
  • Serves as a resource to clinical staff for current nutrition information and guidelines.
  • Provides current research and resources to educate patients, staff and family.
• Reviews and approves Food Service menus for proper nutritional content and recommend revisions to the Director of Food Service; monitor the work of food service staff members working with special diets and trays; check trays and snacks periodically for accuracy.
  • Actively participates in menu revisions with culinary staff and assures that the recommended dietary guidelines regarding appropriate nutrition are met.
  • Provides tray staff with appropriate diet information and education regarding special diets, etc.
  • Supervises tray staff regarding proper set-up of trays, accuracy of special diets and snacks on a daily basis.
• Complete required documentation related to dietary activities including quality assurance data, dietary manuals and cards and patient chart information.
  • Participates in quality assurance and continuous quality improvement activities by providing continuing education to dietary staff and patients.
  • Completes in a timely manner appropriate documentation in patient chart, noting patient response to activities/information presented.
  • Demonstrates the ability to keep medical information confidential.
  • Reviews and maintains updated Menninger diet manual. Clinical Schedules and Patient Appointments.
  • Schedules and records patient appointments ordered by the physician or other members of the treatment team.
  • Maintains a written record of appointment orders and schedule of each patient’s eating disorder therapy appointments.
  • Notifies the patient of scheduled appointments and any changes in schedule.
  • Records appointments in the tracking log.
  • Arranges transportation via Menninger vans as necessary.
  • Informs staff of changes in the schedule when necessary.
• Keep abreast of state-of-the art trends in the field of dietetics; participate in professional and career development through continuing education and workshop activities.
• Maintains current professional credentials.
• Participates in on going professional development through continuing education  
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• Education
  • Completion of an accredited four year program in registered dietetics.

   

  License/Certification
  • Current certification as a Registered Dietician.
  • Current member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics