Nutrition Coordinator - Oncology

Position Purpose

The Nutrition Support Dietitian understands complex pathophysiology and biochemistry with pertinence to nutritional implications for determining patient status and recommending feeding route. Utilizes biochemical, medical, anthropometric, clinical, and diet history to complete a nutrition assessment, and provides nutritional care with consideration for age specific, developmental, and cultural needs of the patient to determine and achieve patient care goals. The Nutrition Support Dietitian participates in research and data collection for quality improvement. Assumes responsibility for automatic consultation on patients requiring parenteral or enteral nutrition, metabolic measurement studies, patients who fail a nutrition screen, new rehabilitation admissions or patients beginning dialysis.

Status available: Full-time

Education:

• Bachelor degree in Dietetics with successful completion of an internship, Dietetic Internship program, or Coordinated Undergraduate Program

Experience:

Minimum of five-years related experience

Licensure / Certification:

• Registered Dietician with the American Dietetic Association
• Board certification in oncology within one year of hire

What you will do:

• Assesses patients at nutritional risk that are identified from a failed nutrition screening or other automatic referrals.
• Assumes responsibility for determining the micro- and macro- nutrient requirements for maintaining or improving nutritional status during hospitalization. Determines nutritional status using anthropometric, biochemical, and clinical data.
• Interviews patients, family members, and significant others to obtain patient nutritional history.
• Reviews medical chart and Patient Care Information System (PCIS) profile to obtain necessary patient information to assess nutritional status and medical course.
• Assesses patient tolerance to tube feeding and total parenteral nutrition by monitoring multiple lab values, I & O, gastrointestinal function, renal and liver function, and nitrogen balance.
• Consults with physicians, nurses, and other health care team members to assess nutrition recommendations.
• Evaluates physician orders for appropriateness.
• Participates in patient rounds, attends and contributes to patient care meetings and care conferences with health care teams to recommend appropriate nutrition therapy. Participates in clinics and follows federal mandates.
• Directs the duties of approximately two diet technicians to coordinate patient care.
• Reviews patient medication therapy for potential drug-nutrient interactions and instructs patient and family members on necessary restrictions.
• Collaborates with Pharmacy regarding compatibility of medications with total parenteral nutrition and enteral feedings.
• Participates on one council as part of Nutrition Support Services Shared Governance to facilitate initiation and completion of departmental projects, policies and procedures, etc. Measure cost saving projects.
• Communicates quality / cost saving projects to Medical Staff Quality Committee and Hospital Department Quality Improvement Committee (HDQIC) task force.
• Participates in continuous improvement surveys to achieve departmental quality goals.
• Provides instructions for tube feedings and hyperalimentation for discharged patients.
• Determines the appropriate cycles for patient benefit and measures response / tolerance to the applicable cycle.
• Communicates discharge plans to extended care facility, Home Care, and attending physicians.
• Determines appropriate route of nutrition therapy (parenteral, enteral, oral, or combination) and implements a care plan with careful monitoring per levels of protocol.
• Determines appropriate diet, formulation, and rate of enteral and parenteral nutrition.
• Presents recommendations for additives in total parenteral nutrition (i.e., electrolytes, phosphate, magnesium, calcium, multiple vitamin, trace elements, etc.).
• Assumes responsibility for an automatic consultation for all enteral and parenteral orders.
• Evaluates calorie count results to determine if supplemental enteral feedings are indicated.
• Accepts verbal orders for lab draws, medications, additives, and changes in support regimens.
• Instructs patients on complex therapeutic diets (i.e., renal patients and new insulin dependent diabetes mellitus IDDM- patients).
• Calculates special diet patterns as needed and communicate with visiting nurse associate or extended care facility registered dietitians.
• Collaborates with outpatient extended care facility registered dietitian as needed for discharged patients on tube feeding, hyperal, or special diets.
• Presents recommendations for appropriate lab monitoring on an outpatient basis.
• Calculates metabolic measurement studies to determine adequacy of nutrition regimen, primarily in the intensive care units or on the patient units per registered dietitian recommendations.
• Recommends therapy changes as indicated .

Total Rewards and Benefits:

• Competitive compensation, DAILYPAY
• Benefits effective Day One! No waiting periods.
• Full benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO, Life Insurance, Short and Long-term Disability
• Retirement savings plan with employer match and contributions
• Opportunity for growth and advancement throughout SJMHS and Trinity Health
• Tuition Reimbursement

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Trinity Health is one of the largest not-for-profit, Catholic healthcare systems in the nation. Built on the foundation of our Mission and Core Values, we integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion in all that we do. Our colleagues have different lived experiences, customs, abilities, and talents. Together, we become our best selves. A diverse and inclusive workforce provides the most accessible and equitable care for those we serve. Trinity Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by law.