Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY:
The Registered Dietitian is responsible for completion of all Nutrition Referrals ordered by physicians, nursing, or the inter-disciplinary team or as part of program standards. The Registered Dietitian screens and classifies nutritional risk and/or risk for malnutrition, according to pre-established criteria. The Registered Dietitian also provides consultative and education services to patients, physicians, learners, other health care providers and the public. The purpose of the Registered Dietitian job is to reduce nutrition related complications that impact hospital length of stay, morbidity, mortality (i.e., falls, swallowing issues, wounds) and/or progression of an acute or chronic medical condition (i.e., Diabetes, Obesity, Kidney Disease, Eating Disorder).

QUALIFICATIONS:
-Accredited post-graduate Dietetic Internship, Master\xe2\x80\x99s degree or equivalent
-Regulated Health Professional from College of Dietitians of Ontario
-CDE (Certified Diabetes Educator) or CNSC (Certified Nutrition Support Clinician) may be beneficial in some areas, preferred
-Membership in specialized practice groups beneficial (e.g., Association of Nephrology Dietitians, Canadian Diabetes Association, Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition)
-Membership in Dietitians of Canada and/or the American Dietetic Association is optional
-Recent experience in a Special Care Nursery preferred
-1 to 3 years Demonstrated work experience in nutritional management of patients with complex medical, surgical and/or mental health conditions.
-Excellent verbal and written communication skills
-Excellent problem solving, organizational, interpersonal and time management skills
-Ability to incorporate evidence-based practice and innovative service delivery models into day to day responsibilities

RESPONSIBILITIES:
-Collects and interprets biological, anthropometric, pharmaceutical data, dietary, medical and psychosocial history; orders labs (if medical directive in place).
-Collects data from the health record, patient, caregiver/significant other and health care team.
-Prescribes and/or recommends nutritional requirements including type and amount of protein, carbohydrate, fat, calories, fibre, fluid, vitamin and minerals.
-Assesses prescribed Diet Order and makes recommendations.
-Determines a Nutrition Diagnosis based on International Dietetics and Nutrition Terminology.
-Recommends, coordinates and/or implements a nutrition care plan such as a modified diet, vitamin/mineral, fluid, enteral/parenteral feeding, capillary blood sugar testing, education and counselling.
-Provides nutrition services using established standards for transfer of information and unique patient identifiers.
-Implements Medical Directive if in place (i.e. insulin initiation and adjustment).
-If appropriate, delegates the implementation of the Nutrition Care Plan to the Dietetic Assistant and/or Food Service employee.
-Monitors and adjusts care plans based on Department/Program Nutrition Standards of Care and/or caseload volume.
-Communicates care plan in written/electronic health record using organization and College documentation standards.
-Applies adult education techniques to develop and facilitate group and education programs.
-Provides individual nutrition care plans, teaching and follow-up employing adult education techniques.
-Provides patient and/or caregiver with appropriate teaching materials that are geared to reading level, readiness to change and are culturally appropriate.
-Provides education related to patient safety using the teach-back method.
-If suitable, refers patients to additional community resources/linkages for follow-up nutrition care.
-Develops and implements a plan for continuing education based on assessment of strengths, areas of improvement, short- and long-term goals and results of performance appraisals.
-Sets goals with Regulated College (College of Dietitians of Ontario).
-Maintains expertise in Nutrition Management by attending conferences, workshops, medical rounds and conducting journal reviews.

HOURS OF WORK:
Monday to Friday, days

PLEASE NOTE:
Vaccines (COVID-19 and others) are a requirement of the job unless you have an exemption on a medical ground pursuant to the Ontario Human Rights Code.

St. Joe\xe2\x80\x99s fosters an environment where we celebrate diversity, where teams reflect the diversity of the community in which we serve, enhancing the connection to patients, clients, community, and each other.

St Joseph\'s Healthcare Hamilton