Bariatric Clinical Dietitian

Overview

Within an interdisciplinary team approach, plans and delivers nutrition care for patients of the Memorial Weight Loss and Wellness Center, including bariatric surgery in-patients and out-patients during both the pre-operative and post-operative phases of care, medical weight loss patients, and general outpatient nutrition counseling patients. Such care will include nutritional assessment, provision of education to patients and families, interpretation of biochemical and clinical data and recommendations to treating physican and other interdisciplinary team members as to plan of care for patients. Utilizes medical staff approved orders protocol. Provision of care for bariatric surgery patients must meet guidelines for American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery/American College of Surgeons "Metabolic and Bariatric Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP)." Embodies the Memorial Health System Performance Excellence Standards of Safety, Courtesy, Quality, and Efficiency that support our mission, vision and values.

Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in pertinent clinical discipline - graduate degree preferred.

Licensure/Certification/Registry:

• Registered dietitian status by the Commission on Dietetic Registration.

• Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionalist in the state of Illinois required.

• Certification training in Adult Weight Management or Certified Diabetes Educator preferred but not required

Experience:

• One to three years of clinical experience preferred. Preferably past experience with the bariatric surgery population.

• Experience providing inservice education for hospital staff as well as presentations for consumers/public.

• Experience with group nutrition interventions preferred.

Other Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.

• Proven ability to function within an interdisciplinary team format of care.

Responsibilities

Develops and delivers patient nutrition education lectures on a routine basis.

Participates regularly with the multidisciplinary Bariatric Committee and Medical Weight Loss Committee which meet regularly to review program activities and resolve operational problems or concerns.

Provides clinical and outcomes data through program's electronic database.

Utilizes facility electronic health record system for efficient production of evaluation reports and progress notes.

Embodies the Memorial Health System Performance Excellence Standards of Safety, Courtesy, Quality, and Efficiency that support our mission, vision and values:

• SAFETY: Prevent Harm

• I put safety first in everything I do. I take action to ensure the safety of others.

• COURTESY: Serve Others

• I treat others with dignity and respect. I project a professional image and positive attitude.

• QUALITY: Improve Outcomes

• I continually advance my knowledge, skills and performance. I work with others to achieve superior results.

• EFFICIENCY: Reduce Waste

• I use time and resources wisely. I prevent defects and delays.

Participates in ongoing educational events for health care professionals and the public related to bariatric surgery, medical weight loss, diabetes and wellness.

Develops and coordinates all aspects of the nutrition care plan for patients in the Weight Loss and Wellness Center, which may also include bariatric surgery patients.

Documents all aspects of nutrition care to ensure that regulatory agencies' standards are met and to provide communication to all team members.

Arranges for follow-up nutrition care subsequent to discharge or transfer.

Nutrition plans show application of evidence-based medical nutrition therapy.

Monitors monthly lab results for post-operative bariatric patients as well as medical weight loss patients. Communicates results in a timely manner to patients and referring physician(s) and provides consultation to physicians as to plan of care.

Participates in support group activities for patients of the center.

Participates and leads cooking classes, grocery store tours and other community events related to Memorial Weight Loss and Wellness Center and Memorial Bariatric Services.

Contributes written nutrition education materials for program newsletters.

Participates in department quality improvement initiatives.

Collaborates with department and satellite location dietitian staff and director to ensure nutrition clinical pathways and protocols are standardized and compliant with current evidence based guidelines.

Performs other related work as required or requested.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job. Incumbents may be requested to perform tasks other than those specifically presented in this description