At Houston Methodist, the Sr Weight Management Dietetic Specialist position is an experienced clinician functioning at the requirements established by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND). This position will assess the client's nutritional status using recognized tools of assessment and recommend and instruct clients on the appropriate nutrition plan per the assessment and develops specific patient education content materials for the department and teaches advanced topics for weight management (i.e., healthy cooking classes, home gardening for health, grocery store tours, health behavior change etc.). The Sr. Weight Management Dietetic Specialist position participates in department and quality improvement projects. This position has mastered all functions of the Weight Management Dietetic Specialist role and will serve as a mentor to those peers. The Sr. Weight Management Dietetic Specialist position plans and implements 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. This position participates in department 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

• Serves in a support and mentor capacity to the Weight Mgmt. Dietetic Specialist while serving in a preceptor role for the department. Creates and maintains all department training resources, e.g. training checklist, dietitian training manual, etc. Acts as a resource person for all nutrition inquiries and provides peer coaching while upholding Houston Methodist and industry standards of professional ethics.

• Creates customized diabetes curriculum and independently trains patients on all aspects of Diabetes Self-Management using therapeutic communication, which includes active listening and teaching; supports Weight Management Dietetic Specialist in mastering DM Self-Management.

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

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Proficiently provides care and assesses patients with complex nutritional needs and comorbidities using recognized tools of assessment.

• Develops specific patient education content materials for the department and teaches advanced topics for weight management (i.e. healthy cooking classes, home gardening for health, grocery store tours, health behavior change etc.).

• Assesses the nutrition content of department programming and adjusts offerings based on center needs, new research, and conflicting social determinants of diet. Corresponds with other interprofessional regarding nutrition care plan as necessary with particular emphasis on behavioral components of eating.

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

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Monitors and reassesses clients against initial assessment and sets goals. Documents individual outcomes, program data, goals, achievements and results accurately.

• Identifies areas of practice improvements with research-based evidence and assists in development of treatment protocols and best practice to achieve patient safety outcomes, supported by accurate documentation. Tracks and trends metrics related to patient outcomes and center programs.

• Proactively leads, identifies, and takes ownership of opportunities for corrective action and assists in process improvement by providing recommendations and contributes to meet department and hospital targets for quality and safety.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Identifies cost-containment measures, as applicable in clinical areas, to quantify cost savings. Adjusts nutrition care plan to provide the most appropriate and cost-effective therapy.

• Partners with management and other operational leaders to effectively increase referrals into the department while continuing to collaborate with outside entities for business development.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Champions and leads innovative initiatives to obtain Weight Loss and Bariatric Surgery focus or specialty designations, recognitions, or awards. Collaborates across the system in implementing change as appropriate, maintaining awareness of current changes in practice standards and applies to clinical practice setting.

• Identifies and presents areas for innovation, efficiency and improvement in patient care or department operations using evidence-based practice literature. Assists management with program development and/or clinical competencies.

• 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

• Master's degree in dietetics, food science, nutrition, public health, exercise science, behavioral science, or relevant field from an accredited university

• 15 CEUs in Diabetes Self-Management to be maintained annually, unless Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) from the American Diabetes Association

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Four years of clinical nutrition experience

• Bariatric and weight loss experience preferred

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• LD - License Dietitian, State Licensure within 60 days AND
• RD - Registered Dietician (CDR) AND
• CDCES - Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CBDCE) within 6 months OR
• RD-AP - Registered Dietician, Advanced Practioner (CDR) within 6 months OR
• CSOWM - Certified Specialist Obesity and Weight Mgmt (CDR) within 6 months OR
• CSR - Certified Specialist Renal Nutrition (CDR) within 6 months OR
• CSG - Certified Specialist in Gerontological Nutrition (CDR) within 6 months OR
• CSO - Certified Specialist in Oncology Nutrition (CDR) within 6 months OR
• CSSD - Certified Specialist Sports Dietetics (CDR) within 6 months AND
• CPT - Certified Personal Trainer (NASM) within 6 months OR
• CPT - Certified Personal Trainer (ACSM) within 6 months OR
• CBC - Certified Bariatric Counselor (AABC) within 6 months OR
• DTR - Dietetic Technician, Registered (CDR) within 6 months OR
• CDE - Certified Diabetes Educator Certification (CBDCE) within 6 months OR
• ServSafe within 6 months OR
• equivalent certification/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.