Dietitian – Clinical Dietetics

Job Description

Dietitian 1-Clinical Dietetics

Job Description


Provide individualized medical nutrition therapy (MNT) through a multi-disciplinary approach for inpatients and or outpatients in Health Care Facilities / Homecare/ Kidney Care and or Ambulatory Healthcare Services.
MNT is implemented according to the American Dietetic Association (ADA) Nutrition Care Process (NCP) which provides a framework for the Clinical Dietitians to individualize care, taking into account the patient’s needs and values and using the best scientific evidence available to make decisions.  
 

Responsibilities


ADMINISTRATIVE
   Encourages teamwork by creating an environment of empowerment and accountability

May supervise and liaise with Food Service related to therapeutic diets, therapeutic projects and education on therapeutic diets

Implements Departmental standards of practice

Able to utilize marketing techniques and participation in revenue generation, where appropriate

May be responsible in maintaining sufficient inventory of nutrition consumable items, general material management and equipment required for patient care and performance of duties
CLINICAL DUTIES/ MEDICAL NUTRITION THERAPY
   Responsible for Medical Nutrition Therapy and thus assess patients using the Nutrition Care Process (NCP) which is a systematic approach to providing high-quality nutrition care. The NCP consists of four distinct, interrelated steps: Nutrition Assessment, Nutrition Diagnosis, Nutrition Intervention, and Nutrition Monitoring and Evaluation.

Responsible to individualize and evaluate care and service processes within organization systems specific to the discipline of nutrition and dietetics.

Documenting a comprehensive assessment for all consulted and referred patients as per facility policies and procedures.

Discuss and/or refer complex cases to Senior Dietitians/Supervisor for guidance to ensure high-quality evidence based nutrition care.

Responsible to update nutritional standards of care and procedures for the facility and to promote evidence based guidelines.

Being an active member of a nutrition practice group / association for the areas of work concentration.

Liaising with ward and food service management and staff concerning nutritional care plan, goals and dietary requirements of inpatients on a daily basis

May liase with Food Service on preparation of therapeutic diets, ordering appropriate menus and additional/alternative food products for individual patients

Communicating complex sensitive information in an understandable form to patients, carers, medical, nursing and food service using negotiation, counseling and behavioral change skills.  This will frequently involve clients/carers who have complex emotional, physical and psychological problems

Communicating goals and progress of nutritional care plan to referring health care professionals by writing in medical case notes, file where applicable, letter to medical practitioner or verbal communication

Plan and organize provision of Nutritional items for patients being discharged on enteral (tube) feeding. May liaise with Long Term Facilities and their healthcare team to communicate nutritional plan of care.
QUALITY AND SAFETY 
   Follow  the Department of Health Abu Dhabi’s Standards of Practice

Clinical Dietitian are required to maintain Registration/license as required by the Department of Health Abu Dhabi

Demonstrates accountability for the proper use of patients’ protected health information

Research should be evidence based medicine, clinical research on human subjects within the realm of: national laws, international and local standards and guidelines, and accreditation standard requirement, by adopting the highest ethical and human subject protection criteria. 
Conducting research must comply with the guidelines of local regulatory bodies such as Department of Health, Abu Dhabi.

Prepare and participate in accreditation activities. Identifying opportunities for improvement Promoting and maintaining quality in all services and ensure continuous quality improvement measures are in place


Follow facility approved reference guidelines or follow the Academy of Nutrition, ASPEN and ESPEN nutritional guidelines

Participate in Facility Quality Improvement Projects 
EDUCATION   Communicating in a professional and courteous manner with patients, family and other medical personnel as necessary to obtain information for nutrition diagnosis, nutrition assessment, intervention, monitoring and evaluation to explain procedures, clarify orders and communicate status

Able to establish rapport with clients/patients or groups when conducting nutrition education in an environment that enhances nutrition education outcomes

Planning and delivering training and education sessions for facility and department staff

Acting as a preceptor of dietetics or other students. Instructing and training dietetic interns, when applicable

Developing and presenting seminars or lectures for health professionals or students

Participating in departmental education projects and presentations annually

Writing, preparing and reviewing new nutrition education material

Utilizing varied techniques to educate patients regarding nutrition goals
 

Qualifications

Qualification :- Required:

* BSc degree in Nutrition & Dietetics from an accredited

program

* AND Current National license

Desired:

MSc in relevant clinical field (will reduce 1 year from the

required years of experience)

* Active member of a nutrition society or Association