Outpatient Clinical Dietitian

Job Summary

The Outpatient Dietitian provides nutrition services to individuals in an outpatient setting for nutrition-related problems, preventative health measures, and chronic disease management. Primary responsibilities include assessing and monitoring the nutritional health of ambulatory patients; developing and implementing individualized nutrition plans; providing nutrition counseling for individuals, families, and groups; collaborating with referring physician health care teams to facilitate continuity of care at home and in the community; and maintaining professional competency and skills required for professional practice.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Education: Bachelor's Degree
Minimum Years of Experience: None
Substitutable Education & Experience: None
Required Certifications/Licensure: Registered (through examination administered) by the Commission of Dietetic Registration of the American Dietetic Association;

Current license to practice dietetics from the state of South Carolina (Please note: Registry eligible candidates may be considered with the following provisions: Must provide documentation from Commission on Dietetic Registration of eligibility status, and must complete registration exam and obtain a license to practice dietetics in South Carolina within six months of start date as a condition of continued employment)
Required Training: For Lexington Surgery Only: Certificate of Training in Obesity for Pediatrics and Adults must be obtained within one year of hire. 
 

Essential Functions

• Demonstrates competence to provide developmentally appropriate care/treatment for the following patient population: Infant (Birth to 1 year), Child (1 year through 12 years), Adolescent (13 years through 17 years), Adult (18 years to 65 years) Geriatric (over 65 years)
• Collaborates and coordinates patient care with members of the health care team to provide appropriate care and improve patient outcomes.
• Designs and delivers patient education according to appropriate guidelines defined by departmental leadership.
• Provides group education as well as individual nutrition counseling.
• Documents nutritional care in the medical record.
• Maintains continuing education by the Commission on Dietetic Registration in order to maintain registration.
• Assists with development of department standards, guidelines, policies and procedures.
• Participate and assist in leading monthly support groups.
• Create educational content for social media platforms.
• Practice reflects best evidence, applicable laws, and other regulatory standards in the provision of nutrition services. 
• Performs the key functions of the nutrition care process according to policy.
• Uses accurate and relevant data and information to identify nutrition-related problems. (Nutrition Assessment) 
• Identifies and labels specific nutrition problem(s) that will be addressed in the plan of care. (Nutrition Diagnosis) 
• Identifies and implements planned interventions with the intent of changing or improving a nutrition related behavior, risk factor, or condition. Interventions may include patient education. Identifies patient goals/outcomes. (Nutrition Intervention) 
• Monitors and evaluates data directly related to the nutrition diagnosis, goals, and interventions to determine progress made in achieving desired outcomes of nutrition care. (Nutrition Monitoring and Evaluation) 
• Applies knowledge and communicates effectively with others. 
• Demonstrates knowledge related to clinical dietetics practice. 
• Communicates and applies sound scientific principles, research, and theory. 
• Shares knowledge and information with patients, families, and health care team members, and serves as a preceptor and guides dietetic interns/students in the application of nutrition knowledge and skills. 

Duties & Responsibilities

• Contributes to the development of new knowledge and services. 
• Uses resources effectively and efficiently in practice. 
• Utilizes system practice guidelines, references, and the nutrition care manual in the provision of nutrition services. 
• Considers safety, effectiveness, and cost in providing and delivering nutrition services and products. 
• Engages in lifelong learning. 
• Conducts self-assessment to identify strengths and weakness at regular intervals.
• Identifies needs for professional development. 
• Develops and implements a plan for professional growth. 
• Adheres to ADA Code of Ethics. 
• Applies research findings and best available evidence into practice. 
• Applies Service Excellence/Expectations to professional practice and is accountable for conforming to policy. 
• Demonstrates an optimistic, enthusiastic, professional, career oriented demeanor and is a positive role model consistent with the hospital mission and vision. 
• Demonstrates understanding of dress code. 
• Demonstrates excellent customer service toward patients, families, caregivers, and peers. 
• Demonstrates dependability and reliability when completing assignments. 
• Demonstrates reliability by conforming to attendance policy. 
• Observes safety and sanitation rules and regulations. 
• Maintains a clean, comfortable work environment.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.