Job Description

Position Summary:

The role of the Clinical Dietitian is to provide evidence-based, high quality, specialized nutritional care unique to each individual as part of their medical treatment to improve or maintain health. The clinical dietitian provides nutritional care through assessing, formulating, recommending, implementing, documenting and evaluating a nutritional care plan (NCP).

Responsibilities:

• Conducts assessment via a review of patient record, patient and caregiver interview, physical assessment, review of objective data (weight, height, weight history, biochemical data, meds all existing diagnoses etc.);
• Utilizes problem-solving skills to determine most appropriate NCP;
• Consults with health care team to obtain relevant information;
• Uses information obtained to formulate an appropriate nutrition plan which includes recommendations for calories, macro and micronutrients and fluid, therapeutic diet/supplement recommendations, feeding route and education;
• Formulates a nutrition care plan (NCP) based on a clinical assessment and evidenced based practice. The NCP includes therapeutic diets, nutrition support, oral nutrition supplements, modified textures and the monitoring and evaluation of such plan;
• Ensure to discuss the plan with the patient and/or caregivers and the interprofessional team;
• Evaluates and corrects inappropriate diet orders independently and in consultation with physicians and the interprofessional team;
• Review and interpret oral intake of therapeutic diet, , biochemical data, physical assessment, medical status, hydration status, patient psychosocial status and motivation using patient chart, interviewing patient and caregiver, and consulting interprofessional team, in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the NCP;
• Ensures continuity of care by assisting with discharge planning and referring to outside community agencies or health practitioners;
• Review and interpret oral intake of therapeutic diet, biochemical data, physical assessment, medical status, hydration status, patient psychosocial status and motivation using patient chart, interviewing patient and caregiver, and consulting interprofessional team, in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the NCP;
• Ensures continuity of care by assisting with discharge planning and referring to outside community agencies or health practitioners;
• Participates in the job recruitment and interviewing process of staff dietitians;
• Develops, implements, and evaluates standards of nutrition care for specific areas of practice;
• Contributes to the academic mandate of the organization as an educator, resource or support for staff, students and members of the academic and professional community;
• Provides patient focused, disease/condition specific nutrition education to patients and family members according to adult education and behavior change principles;
• Documents nutrition assessment and NCP in patient medical record;

Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Applied Science in Human Nutrition (or equivalent);
• Current registration in good standing with the College of Dietitians of Ontario;
• Completion of an internship program and a member (or eligibility to become a member) of the Dietitians of Canada;
• 1-2 years clinical experience is preferred;
• Sound knowledge and experience in clinical nutrition practice in a health care environment;
• Proven ability to act both independently and as an active member of an inter-professional team;
• Demonstrated excellent communication, critical thinking and interpersonal skills;
• Excellent organizational and time management skills;
• Knowledge of computer applications;
• Proven flexibility and adaptability in a fast-paced environment;
• Demonstrated flexibility in provision of patient care.

Note:

As a condition of employment, all external hires will be required to submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination or documentation unless a valid accommodation under the Ontario Human Rights Code exists. Please note, if you are extended an offer of employment, you will be required to provide proof of vaccination in Ontario QR Code format. All internal candidates must be in compliance with Unity Health Toronto\xe2\x80\x99s COVID-19 Vaccination Policy.

Unity Health Toronto