The Dietitian is responsible for providing optimum nutrition care to patients through assessing nutrition needs; developing, implementing, and re-evaluating nutrition care plans; and counseling and educating patients and families.

Perform all work in accordance to the mission, vision, and values of Arkansas Heart Hospital. Daily duties would include the nutrition care for cardiac patients based on established standards of practice. This includes knowledge and practice of potential dietary modifications, energy and protein needs, nutrition supplements, and nutrition support.

Primary Duties

• Performs nutrition assessments on patients identified as high risk to determine nutritional status and level of care needed. Risk stratification.
• Review patient health history in preparation for initial evaluation.
• Develops and implements nutrition care plans based on established standards of practice to include any of the following as deemed necessary: energy/protein needs, pertinent lab values, nutrition needs in relation to disease state/condition, medications that may cause food/drug interactions, acceptance/tolerance to current mode of feeding, suggested feeding modifications, etc.
• Interview patient/family to determine educational needs and establish functional treatment goals and plan of care.
• Closely monitors nutrition care plans/goals and progresses appropriately to facilitate behavior change.
• Conducts multiple weekly nutrition education workshops. Develop new content as needed.
• Collaborates with Chef to plan weekly cooking workshops.
• Collaborate with patients physician, nurse, and other interdisciplinary team members as appropriate to coordinate plan of care and communicate patient status.
• Understand exercise prescription according to AACVPR guidelines.
• Utilize proper safety and infection control techniques according to departmental and hospital safety.
• Evaluate patient/family response to teaching and modify plan of care if necessary.
• Complete documentation on appropriate cardiac rehab forms and scan into electronic medical record system as needed.
• Make appropriate referrals to other healthcare professionals as indicated.
• Maintain patient confidentiality according to HIPPA.
• Maintains and promotes a team spirit through active cooperation and collaboration.
• Assumes a leadership role in the maintenance of the patient-focused care delivery system at AHH Cardiac Rehab.
• Maintains effective communication with medical/nursing or administrative personnel concerning nutritional care of patients.
• Conducts nutrition group education classes on various topics.
• Makes and participates in necessary performance improvement activities.
• Participates in committee activities concerned with nutritional care.
• Adheres to policies and procedures of the department and the hospital.
• Acts as a resources and mentor to all Team Members and staff.
• Follows established channels and utilizes constructive problem-solving techniques to address issues or concerns and promote positive change.
• Provides nutrition training and supervision for dietetic students/interns.
• Flexible to changing systems.
• Serves as a participant to meet all regulatory agency both on the state and federal law.
• Adheres to policies and procedures of the department and hospital.
• Maintains hospital property and security systems to ensure a safe environment. Completes equipment checks as assigned.
• Maintains appropriate licensures and certifications relevant to position.
• Adheres to OSHA standards regarding appropriate safety.
• Adheres to AHH and departmental policies and procedures

Qualifications/Specifications:

• Education: Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university with major course emphasis in Dietetics, Nutritional Sciences, or Food and Nutrition. Masters degree preferred.
• Licensure/Certification: Registered Dietitian and Licensed in Arkansas. BLS certification required within 30 days of employment and prior to providing direct patient care. Certification is required to be renewed by recommended renewal date on documentation
• Experience: Minimum one year in clinical dietetics, particularly in areas of lipid disorders, obesity, diabetes and hypertension. Three to five years preferred.