SUMMARY:

The Bariatric Surgery Program Dietitian works with minimal supervision reporting to the Clinical Nutrition Manager and Lead Bariatric Dietitian in an outpatient setting.
As part of a multidisciplinary care team including but not limited to: surgeons NPs MAs Bariatric Surgery Program Coordinator RNs patient liaison financial counselors; the dietitian is a consulting role providing patients (individually or group classes) education including evaluation documentation and the development and implementation of the outpatient nutrition education program to optimize postoperative outcomes and attainment of optimal weight loss and health.

BASIC KNOWLEDGE:

Bachelor of Science degree in Food and Nutrition.
Current Registered Dietitian Licensure in RI (LDN RD).
Current (or willing to obtain within first 6 months of employment) Board Certification as a Specialist in Obesity and Weight Management (CSOWM) through the Commission on Dietetics Registration preferred.

EXPERIENCE:

1-2 years as a registered dietitian.
Must have current knowledge of nutrition therapy and skills in educating small and large groups.
Be able to work effectively under pressure by prioritizing work activities or renegotiating deadlines.
Be able to give constructive feedback when teaching patients and staff.
Maintain a positive attitude with changing conditions.
Appropriate interventions and follow up is performed on identified projects.
Demonstrates organizational abilities.
Demonstrates dependability.
Requires strong written and verbal communication skills to communicate effectively with individuals at all levels of the organization.
Must be able to work under minimal supervision.
Must have a professional and mature demeanor.
Must be able to work in a fast-paced department and handle multiple tasks work with interruptions and deal effectively with confidential information.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Healthcare environment such as acute care hospital.
Any hazards are minimized or nullified by adherence to established safety procedures and precautions.
Working conditions are generally good exposed to normal patient care environment when visiting patients and meeting with other healthcare personnel.
Sits stands and walks intermittently throughout the day.

Plans evaluates and provides individual patient consultations and group education for bariatric program including nutrition consultation with family members staff and physicians.
Documents consultations/education and provides follow up data to referring physicians.
Facilitates or participates in Bi-monthly Orientation Sessions weekly pre-op teaching classes as well as 3 patient support groups each month.
Works as a team in program planning curriculum development and department goal development.
Develops and updates nutrition education manual for outpatient setting.
Develops and implements medically supervised physician monitored weight management program as needed according to health plan requirements.
Maintains Registered Dietitian Certification and other appropriate Licensure/certifications.
Works with Center for Bariatric Surgery Program Coordinator to maintain status as a Center of Excellence under the ASNBS/MBSQIP guidelines.
Participates and provides education programs for marketing community benefit and TMH staff education programs.
Attends pertinent meetings as required.
Maintains appropriate record keeping for monthly patient meetings the University Surgical Associates Office.
Participates in daily post-operative inpatient rounds.
Prescribes food and other nutrients including nutritional support per protocol or under the direction of the MD.
Ensures that patients’ needs for special diets and altered meal schedules are met.Identifies patient diet knowledge deficits.
Is involved in nutrition care planning across Continuum of Care including in servicing inpatient dietary staff providing preoperative and postoperative classes and follow up care one year postoperatively for patients (outcome focused).
Reviews literature professional journals and attends conferences and programs to update skills and continuously improve and maintain professional competence.
Serve as the primary content developer of the monthly patient newsletter.
Other duties may be assigned as needed.