This is a PRN Weight Management Dietetic Specialist position (non-benefited) that will report to the Weight Management department. The following are further details about the role:

• Dietitian with experience in oncology and weight loss needed
• Coverage at Clear Lake Cancer Center on Thursday's (potential for coverage at Baytown Weight Management Clinic on Tuesday/Wednesday)
• Working with oncology and bariatric patients 

At Houston Methodist, the Weight Management Dietetic Specialist PRN position is an entry level to experienced clinician functioning at the requirements established by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND), developing, and instructing weight loss, medical weight management, diabetes, and bariatric education classes in conjunction with dietitian team. This position is responsible for assessing the client's nutritional status using recognized tools of assessment, recommending nutrition plans via department Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) pathways/programs to clients, based on physical results, goals and concerns. The Weight Management Dietetic Specialist PRN position will also plan and implement professional nutrition presentations as well as actively participate in planning, instruction, and evaluation of the nutrition component of Houston Methodist Center for Weight Loss & Bariatric Surgery programs and services and participates in departmental and quality improvement projects.

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

• Utilizes skills and knowledge for training patients on all aspects of Diabetes Self-Management including teaching group diabetes classes and leading diabetes support groups.

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

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Leverages knowledge from specialty training to develop and instruct weight loss, medical weight management, diabetes, and bariatric education classes independently.

• Develops and implements customized nutrition plans via departmental Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) pathways/programs to clients, based on physical results, goals and concerns.

• Identifies and provides guidance for external nutrition resources upon assessment and evaluation of unique patient social determinants of health.

• Performs body composition assessments and interpreting results.

• Contributes towards improvement of department score for patient satisfaction, through peer-to-peer accountability to service standards.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Educates patients and team on nutrition information, while assessing effectiveness of nutrition education. Consistently evaluates the patient's/client's comprehension and adapts teaching methods accordingly.

• Updates guidelines, policies, procedures & standards of care services based upon outcomes and evidence-based medicine/research.

• Monitors and reassesses patients against the initial assessment and goals that are set with each patient. Recognizes complications/limitations associated with certain goals and proactively addresses such for optimum outcomes.

• Proactively identifies opportunities for corrective action and process improvement within the department. Contributes to meeting department targets for quality and safety measures.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Schedules follow-up appointments to ensure continuity of care and therefore increasing department revenue. Works efficiently to complete insurance requirements to expedite bariatric surgical approvals.

• Identifies opportunities to connect with referring providers for referrals to other departments and services. Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks, assisting coworkers as needed.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Continuously works with peers and management to improve, revise, or create new department programs, curriculum, and courses. Maintains professional development competencies by reading and communicating evidence-based practice literature in nutrition and weight loss and related disciplines; presents findings of research to Weight Loss and Bariatric Surgery department.

• Seeks opportunities to identify self-development needs and takes appropriate action. 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 an education program approved by the Commission on Dietetic Registration for the required credential(s) indicated below in the Certifications, Licenses, and Registrations section.

• 15 CEUs in Diabetes Self-Management within 6 months of hire (must be completed annually, unless the Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) from the American Diabetes Association is obtained)

WORK EXPERIENCE

• One-year clinical nutrition experience

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• RD - Registered Dietician (CDR) -- by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics AND
• LD - License Dietitian, State Licensure -- by Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation within 60 days AND
• CPTR - Certified Personal Trainer -- by the NASM (National Association of Sports Medicine) within 6 months OR
• CPT - Certified Personal Trainer (ACSM) within 6 months OR
• CBC - Certified Bariatric Counselor (AABC) within 6 months OR
• CSOWM - Certified Specialist Obesity and Weight Mgmt (CDR) -- Pediatrics and Adults from Commission on Dietetic Registration within 6 months OR
• CSSD - Certified Specialist Sports Dietetics (CDR) within 6 months OR
• ServSafe within 6 months OR
• certificate approved by department manager/leadership, e.g., Certificate of Training in Obesity for Pediatrics and Adults from Commission on Dietetic Registration within 6 months

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

• Successfully complete in-person and virtual patient appointments using approved technology

• Ability to function independently and exercise judgment in interactions with all organizational levels

• Possesses comprehensive computer knowledge including Microsoft products

• Experience with EPIC or other EMR programs

• Familiarity with health and weight management apps

• Competency in technical writing and business writing

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

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

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

Houston Methodist (HM) is one of the nation’s leading health systems and academic medical centers.  HM consists of eight hospitals: Houston Methodist Hospital, its flagship academic hospital in the heart of the Texas Medical Center, and seven community hospitals throughout the greater Houston metropolitan area.  HM also includes an academic institute, a comprehensive residency program, a global business division, numerous physician practices and several free-standing emergency rooms and outpatient facilities.  Overall, HM employs over 25,000 employees.   Houston Methodist is supported by a wide variety of business functions that operate at the system level to help enable clinical departments to provide the best patient care and service in a spiritual environment.

In 2019 Houston Methodist and its physicians treat more than 6,333 international patients from more than 76 countries. Houston Methodist Global Health Care Services’ consulting and education divisions also provide advisory services and training and development to health care organizations around the world.