Registered Dietician (3422)

## Description

**POSITION OVERVIEW:**

Responsible for providing comprehensive clinical nutrition services to residents, including meal planning, nutritional assessments, documentation, and counseling for residents and families, as well as education for staff. Serves as a liaison with the Dining Services Director to address resident and family nutritional concerns and collaborates closely to ensure all dietary needs are met. Takes a proactive leadership role in advocating for resident diets with nursing staff and attending physicians to support optimal nutritional health, identifying residents at high risk for significant weight changes, and ensuring all practices comply with federal, state, and local regulations and established facility policies.

**ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:**

1. Initiates and maintains required dietary documentation in compliance with regulatory standards, including MDS assessments, quarterly dietary summaries, initial dietary evaluations, care plans, and weight loss prevention records.
2. Prepares and compiles materials for special reports, audits, surveys, and regulatory reviews as requested.
3. Reviews, updates, implements, and monitors clinical dietary policies and procedures in collaboration with the Dining Services Director.
4. Participates in interdisciplinary meetings, care plan meetings, and QAPI program as an active member of the care team.
5. Acts as a liaison among residents, families, food services, nursing staff, and physicians to address dietary concerns.
6. Provides individualized nutritional counseling to residents and families and assesses dietary preferences and concerns.
7. Makes evidence-based recommendations to physicians regarding changes in nutritional regimens as needed.
8. Plans and delivers staff education and development programs related to nutrition and aging.
9. Maintains current knowledge of and compliance with all federal, state, local, and organizational regulations, including resident rights and HIPAA requirements.
10. Ensures resident confidentiality and privacy at all times, using discretion when discussing resident information.
11. Demonstrates professionalism through appearance, demeanor, communication, and adherence to facility standards.
12. Completes assignments accurately and timely with minimal supervision.
13. Maintains attendance standards and flexibility to work evenings or weekends as operational needs require.
14. Complies with all safety policies, procedures, and applicable government regulations.
15. Participates in required in-services, workshops, and continuing education to maintain professional competency.
16. Builds and maintains positive working relationships with staff, residents, and families.
17. Performs other related duties as assigned.

**KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:**

1. Ability to react calmly and professionally in complex or difficult situations.
2. Ability to prioritize tasks, make decisions, delegate duties, and manage multiple objectives, projects, and deadlines while maintaining a professional demeanor.
3. Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing, with residents/patients, staff, family members, vendors, suppliers, and other contacts, both inside and outside the facility.
4. Must exhibit patience and a positive attitude towards the elderly population and a desire to provide a service to the community.
5. Familiarity with basic computer functions, including basic keyboarding and typing skills.
6. Experience with electronic medical records system.

## Qualifications
**EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:**
Current, valid credential as Registered Dietician.
Minimum one (1) year previous related experience in a long-term care or hospital setting.
**PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:**

1. Ability to stand, walk, sit, stoop, bend, and reach for extended periods.
2. Ability to lift up to 10 pounds frequently (up to 66% of the time spent in performance of duties) and up to 20 pounds occasionally (up to 33% of the time spent in performance of duties).
3. Manual dexterity that allows grasping, carrying, and holding equipment and supplies or for resident care as needed to perform tasks.

**SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:**

Requires a satisfactory general background check, including state and local criminal history checks, as well as a satisfactory drug screening.

**DISCLAIMER:**

The above listing is a brief summary of the nature and scope of duties and is not intended to be a comprehensive listing of all tasks and responsibilities of the position described. The Facility Administration reserves the right to add, change, delete, or otherwise modify this description, including Essential Functions, at its sole discretion without further permission or authority required.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Dogwood Village of Orange County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.