Clinical Dietitian Kennestone PRN

The Clinical Dietitian at Kennestone PRN is responsible for delivering medical nutrition therapy and supporting patients with nutrition risk, following the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics guidelines. The role involves assessing patient needs, developing and implementing nutrition care plans, and providing education to patients and healthcare teams. Candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree in nutrition or dietetics, have completed a supervised practice programme, and be registered or licensed as a Dietitian (RD, RDN, LD) within six months of hire. Experience with electronic medical records and foodservice systems is required. Strong communication, critical thinking, and interpersonal skills are essential. One to two years of clinical experience is highly preferred, along with knowledge of the Nutrition Care Process and enteral nutrition management. The Clinical Dietitian at Kennestone PRN plays a vital role in delivering medical nutrition therapy as part of an interdisciplinary healthcare team. This position is responsible for assessing, diagnosing, and implementing nutrition care plans for patients, ensuring continuity of care and adherence to best practices. The role involves conducting nutrition-focused physical exams, developing and monitoring nutrition interventions, and providing education to patients and healthcare teams. The Clinical Dietitian also participates in quality improvement initiatives, research, and professional development, while maintaining high standards of patient care and documentation. This position offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on patient health and well-being within a supportive and collaborative environment.

How would you like to work in a place where your contributions and ideas are valued? A place where you can serve with compassion, pursue excellence and honor every voice? At Wellstar, our mission is simple, yet powerful: to enhance the health and well-being of every person we serve. We are proud to have become a shining example of what's possible when the brightest professionals dedicate themselves to making a difference in the healthcare industry, and in people's lives.

Work Shift

Day (United States of America)

Job Summary:

• Clinical Dietitian
• Kennestone PRNPRN Days = As Needed

Practices as a member of the interdisciplinary health care team responsible for the provision of medical nutrition therapy. Fosters continuity of the Nutrition Care Process across all phases of the continuum of care as recommended by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Performs nutrition assessment for patients identified to be at nutrition risk based on criteria outlined by the hospital and best practice standards. Calculates metabolic nutrient requirements according to the age and disease specific needs of patients. Performs nutrition focused physical exam to further evaluate risk of malnutrition as indicated. Develops a nutrition diagnosis as appropriate and consistent with the Nutrition Care Process. Creates and implements a nutrition intervention and care plan for all patients with a nutrition diagnosis. Continuously evaluates and monitors the effectiveness and outcomes of medical nutrition therapy intervention. Provides nutrition education to patients, family, and/or members of the healthcare team on recommended nutrition intervention(s) to accomplish nutrition goals; which may include, but is not limited to any of the following topics: specialized diet, enteral/oral medical nutrition supplements, food selections, eating behaviors, and community nutrition resources. Manages the delivery of nutrition care services according to the site of care assigned. Participates in performance improvement and research activities. Mentors dietetic interns/diet technicians. Actively assess, evaluates and maintains professional development and competencies outlined in the position description.

Responsibilities:

Core Responsibilities and Essential Functions:

• Develops, implements, and promotes quality services based on client expectation and needs:
• Collaborates with patient and/or family member, and healthcare team to assess nutrition and education needs of patients.
• Provides services and establishes goals based on the identified needs of patients and/or family members.
• Applies knowledge and skills in developing, implementing and maintaining nutrition care plans.
• Continuously evaluates nutrition care processes and patient outcomes and implements quality practice by following system policies, procedures, and evidenced based research.
• Provides care according to organizational ethics, licensure and Standards of Professional Practice for Dietetics Professionals.
• Applies Joint Commission and/or regulatory standards in the provision of nutrition care.
• Utilized patient experience and empathy skills when interacting with patients and family members.
• Participates in multidisciplinary rounds, appropriate committees, and team member huddles.
• Provide medical nutrition therapy according to system policy and A.N.D.

Nutrition Care Process practice standards:

• Utilizes the Nutrition Care Process and Well Star Nutrition Care Policies when assessing patients.
• Responsible for nutrition screen, assessment, diagnosis, intervention, and monitoring/evaluation of identified at risk patients.
• Apply psycho-social, age appropriate, evidence-based nutrition care.
• Document all patient encounters in the health care record in accordance with hospital and department policies and procedures.
• Identify, monitor, and evaluate enteral nutrition support regimens. Manage enteral nutrition support under the supervision of medical staff.
• Develop and implements transitional feeding plans.
• Perform Nutrition Focused Physical Exams to evaluate malnutrition severity as appropriate.
• Assess patient's learning needs, barriers to learning, preferred learning styles and educational level and provides nutrition education accordingly.
• Utilizes community resources through the continuum of care to foster positive patient outcomes.
• Locates, reviews, and utilizes best practice research findings for their application in optimally managing a disease or condition and improving patient outcomes:
• Bases clinical practice on sound scientific principles, current research and theory.
• Shares and reports research and patient outcomes utilizing various media.
• Demonstrates knowledge related to clinical practice.
• Communicates sound scientific principles, research, and theory to health care team members and dietetic interns in optimally managing patients' care.
• Shares knowledge and expertise with dietetic interns, patients, family members and healthcare team members.
• Documents understanding of relevant information and results of communication with dietetic interns/technicians/patients/families and healthcare team members.
• Contributes to the development of new knowledge and services.
• Seeks out information effectively and independently to provide effective services.
• Systematically evaluates the quality and effectiveness of practice and revises practice as needed to incorporate results of evaluation:
• Participates in and identifies performance improvement criteria for nutrition care by completing peer chart audits as assigned and reviewing with their nutrition leader.
• Continuously evaluates and refines service based on measurable outcomes by keeping a productivity log.
• Identifies expected outcomes of patient care.
• Participates in quality improvement initiatives and projects.
• Engages in lifelong self-development to improve knowledge and skills that promote continued competence:
• Conducts yearly self-assessment to identify professional strengths and weaknesses.
• Identifies needs for professional development and mentors dietetic interns.
• Documents professional development activities according to system policies.
• Engage in continuous learning opportunities to further develop skills and capabilities in application technical and functional areas.

Required for All Jobs:

• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Complies with all Well Star Health System policies, standards of work, and code of conduct.

Qualifications:

Required Minimum Education:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a major in nutrition / dietetics. Completion of a supervised practice didactic program accredited by the Accreditation Counsel for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).

Required Minimum Certification:

Registered Dietitian / Nutritionist (RD, RDN) through the Commission on Dietetics Registration (CDR) within 6 months of hire. Licensed Dietitian (LD) through Georgia licensing board obtained within 6 months of hire. AHA-BLS preferred.

Required Minimum Experience:

One to two years clinical experience highly preferred. Experience with electronic medical record charting systems and other software relative to foodservice systems required.

Required Minimum Skills:

Excellent interpersonal, customer service, verbal and written communication skills. Knowledge of best practices in clinical nutrition and the dietetics profession. Knowledge of Nutrition Care Process and its use in complex cases in the clinical setting. Ability to think critically to apply nutrition interventions to patients with multiple comorbidities and/or special needs including management of enteral nutrition provisions. Ability to maintain effective relationships with other healthcare professionals in sharing nutrition knowledge and expertise. Ability to work with patient interests and health in mind. Knowledge of malnutrition assessment including performance of nutrition focused physical exam preferred.

Join us and discover the support to do more meaningful work—and enjoy a more rewarding life. Connect with the most integrated health system in Georgia, and start a future that gives you more.

• How would you like to work in a place where your contributions and ideas are valued? A place where you can serve with compassion, pursue excellence and honor every voice? At Wellstar, our mission is s Responsibilities
• Responsible for developing, implementing, and promoting quality services based on client expectation and needs.
• Collaborate with patients, families, and healthcare teams to assess nutrition and education needs.
• Provide services and establish goals based on identified patient and family needs.
• Apply knowledge and skills in developing, implementing, and maintaining nutrition care plans.
• Continuously evaluate nutrition care processes and patient outcomes, implementing quality practice by following system policies and evidence-based research.
• Provide care according to organisational ethics, licensure, and Standards of Professional Practice for Dietetics Professionals.
• Utilise Joint Commission and regulatory standards in the provision of nutrition care.
• Participate in multidisciplinary rounds, committees, and team member huddles.
• Deliver high-quality nutrition education to patients, families, and healthcare team members on recommended nutrition interventions. Skills
• Excellent interpersonal, customer service, verbal, and written communication skills are required.
• Knowledge of best practices in clinical nutrition and the dietetics profession is essential.
• Familiarity with the Nutrition Care Process and its use in complex clinical cases is required.
• Ability to think critically and apply nutrition interventions to patients with multiple comorbidities or special needs, including management of enteral nutrition provisions, is necessary.
• Experience with electronic medical record charting systems and foodservice systems is required.
• Knowledge of malnutrition assessment, including performance of nutrition-focused physical exams, is preferred.
• Ability to maintain effective relationships with healthcare professionals and share nutrition knowledge is important.
• Ability to work with patient interests and health in mind is required.
• AHA-BLS certification is preferred. Education
• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a major in nutrition or dietetics is required.
• Completion of a supervised practice didactic programme accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) is required.
• Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist (RD, RDN) through the Commission on Dietetics Registration (CDR) within 6 months of hire is required.
• Licensed Dietitian (LD) through the Georgia licensing board obtained within 6 months of hire is required.