At Houston Methodist, the Senior Clinical Dietitian position is responsible for functioning as an experienced clinician at the requirements established by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND). In addition to fulfilling the duties of clinical dietitian, primary responsibilities for this position include application of the Nutrition Care Process (NCP) including the completion of the nutrition assessment, determination of the nutrition diagnosis, developing and implementing nutrition intervention(s) and monitoring and evaluating of the patient's progress. The Senior Clinical Dietitian position serves as a preceptor for dietetic interns and mentors entry level clinicians, students, interns and other departmental employees, working closely with the interprofessional healthcare team to provide inpatient/outpatient care that is integrated and compatible with the patient-focused goals and objectives. This position participates in department and quality improvement projects for inpatient or outpatient departments.

PATIENT AGE GROUP(S) AND POPULATION(S) SERVED
Refer to departmental "Scope of Service" and "Provision of Care" plans, as applicable, for description of primary age groups and populations served by this job for the respective HM entity.

HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS

• Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:
  • INTEGRITY: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.
  • COMPASSION: We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs.
  • ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.
  • RESPECT: We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value.
  • EXCELLENCE: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.

• Practices the Caring and Serving Model

• Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards

• Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)

• Intentionally collaborates with other healthcare professionals involved in patients/customers or employees' experiential journeys to ensure strong communication, ease of access to information, and a seamless experience.

• Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job

• Displays cultural humility, diversity, equity and inclusion principles

• Actively supports the organization's vision, fulfills the mission and abides by the I CARE values

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Consults individually with clients regarding nutritional concerns. Recommends nutrition plans to clients based on physical results, goals and concerns. Corresponds with other health care professionals regarding client's nutrition care plan as necessary.

• Acts as a resource person for all nutrition inquiries and provide counseling while upholding Houston Methodist and industry standards of ethics. Uses therapeutic communication, which includes active listening and teaching, to establish a relationship with patients, families and interprofessional health care team to collaborate on the plan of care.

• Conducts self in a manner that is congruent with cultural diversity, equity and inclusion principles. Helps drive improvement of department scores for employee engagement, i.e. peer-to-peer accountability.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Assesses the nutrition status of clients and/or patients. Implements nutritional care according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Nutrition Care Process (NCP). Develops and instructs nutrition education classes in conjunction with dietitian team. Consistently evaluates the patient's comprehension and adapts teaching methods accordingly. Utilizes evidence-based knowledge applied to the patient's condition and recommends change in the plan of care.

• Advocates on patient/family's behalf to identify and resolve clinical and ethical concerns, utilizing appropriate resources.

• Initiates improvements towards department score for patient satisfaction, through peer-to-peer accountability to service standards.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Self-initiates cross-coverage assistance to ensure continuity of care. Identifies and documents evaluation of outcomes. Collaborates with health care team to document correct degree of malnutrition in EMR to ensure adequate intervention for positive outcomes.

• Provides care to increasingly complex patients coordinates care with the interprofessional team. Utilizes sound clinical judgement, using an evidence-based analytical approach to ensure patient nutrition needs are met.

• Ensures continuity of care by completing quality monitors. Identifies areas of practice improvements with research-based evidence to achieve patient safety outcomes, supported by accurate documentation. Completes quality indicators for meeting department and hospital targets on the clinical nutrition dashboard.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Completes activity/productivity & other reports on timely basis. Utilizes resources with cost effectiveness and value creation in mind. Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks, assisting coworkers as needed.

• Contributes towards meeting department financial targets through adjusting nutrition care plan to provide the most appropriate and cost-effective therapy, optimizing efficiency and other areas according to department specifications.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Actively participates and is the nutrition representative on at least one department committee, task force and work group. Participates in a minimum of one continuous quality improvement/process improvement project.

• Serves as a mentor and trainer with the department. Conducts interdepartmental and interprofessional training & mentorship to include: a minimum of one diet knowledge training session for nutrition assistants annually, mentorship of student volunteers as applicable and subspecialty training on nutrition care for dietitians and other healthcare professionals.

• Serves as a preceptor for dietetic interns who are a part of an ACEND accredited dietetic internship program. Preceptor responsibilities to include mentoring and training interns to utilize the nutrition care process appropriately, hands on training for Nutrition Focused Physical Assessments, cosigning nutrition care notes in the EMR and evaluation of an intern's performance based on ACEND competencies.

• Seeks opportunities to identify self-development needs and takes appropriate action. Maintains professional development competencies by reviewing research for application to practice. Ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management. Completes and updates the My Development Plan on an on-going basis.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

EDUCATION

• Graduate of education program approved by the credentialing body for the required credential(s) indicated below in the Certifications, Licenses and Registrations section.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Three years clinical nutrition experience as a Registered Dietitian

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• RD - Registered Dietician (CDR) -- by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics AND
• LD - License Dietitian, State Licensure within 60 days

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - PREFERRED

• BLS - Basic Life Support (AHA)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

• Strong knowledge of local City Food Ordinance guidelines and Health department standards

• Function independently and exercise judgment in interactions with physicians, interprofessional care team and patients and their families

• Possesses comprehensive computer knowledge including Microsoft products

• Exhibits strong interpersonal, teamwork and leadership skills with all levels of the healthcare team and assures delivery of excellent customer service to all patients, visitors, physicians and co-workers

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform No
• Scrubs Yes
• Business professional Yes
• Other (department approved) No

ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* No

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

Since its founding in 1919, Houston Methodist Hospital has earned worldwide recognition. Houston Methodist Hospital is affiliated with the Weill Medical College of Cornell University and New York-Presbyterian Hospital, one of the nation's leading centers for medical education and research.  In 2020, U.S. News & World Report named Houston Methodist Hospital to its top ranked Honor Roll for the fourth time and second consecutive year. 2020 also marked the ninth year in a row Houston Methodist Hospital has been named the No. 1 hospital in Texas. Houston Methodist Hospital directs millions of research dollars into patient care and offers the latest innovations in medical, surgical and diagnostic techniques. With 952 operating beds, 85 operating rooms and over 8,000 employees, Houston Methodist offers complete care for patients from around the world.

 

The same high-quality care for which Houston Methodist is known is available at several Emergency Care Centers in Houston and the surrounding areas.  These Emergency Care Centers house exam rooms, full digital radiography suite, low radiation dose 16-slice CT scan, ultrasound and a full on-site stat chemistry lab.