Summary: 

Under the general supervision of the department leadership, the Registered Dietitian (RD) practices within the Academy of Nutrition Dietetics's Scope of Practice in Nutrition Care and Scope of Professional Performance, the MA Statutes and Regulations (Dietitians and Nutritionists) and demonstrates Baystate Health's core values. The RD reflects the knowledge and skills necessary to provide expected standards of care based on physical, psychosocial, cultural, educational, spiritual, safety, and age-appropriate considerations of patients. The RD assumes responsibility for the patient's nutrition plan of care and is held accountable for decisions specific to the assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of the nutrition plan of care. The RD provides care directly to patients and collaborates with other healthcare team members. The RD participates in committees and/or PI initiatives. The RD seeks to improve knowledge and skill, completes requisite continuing education to meet Clinical Ladder requirements, and complies with all regulations and standards of regulatory and accrediting bodies. RD is in good standing with the Commission on Dietetic Registration and Licensure Board of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Job Responsibilities: 

1) Demonstrates organizational skills that maintain safe delivery of the standard of care for assigned patients/families. Manages own assignment by delegating effectively based on patient needs and abilities of team members when indicated.   

2) Conducts accurate age-appropriate clinical assessments; identifies and prioritizes nutrition diagnosis; leverages patient/family strengths to enhance patient-centered care; develops, implements, and evaluates the patient's individualized care plan.

Adheres to Nutrition Care Process:

-Applies critical thinking skills and integrates current clinical evidence and/or cultural/religious needs to accurately identify nutrition problems.

-Develops interdisciplinary patient/family-centered care plan and determines monitoring/evaluation methods.  Enters orders in EMR in accordance with independent order writing privilege.

3) Manages parenteral nutrition and enters orders in EMR in collaboration with physicians and other interdisciplinary team members; electrolyte/acid-base, divalent, micronutrients, macronutrients, glycemic control, and fluid. Anticipates discharge needs. (As required based on location and patient population)

4) Manages tube feedings and enters orders in the EMR in collaboration with physicians and other interdisciplinary team members: macronutrients, micronutrients, glycemic control, and fluid. Anticipates discharge needs. (As required based on location and patient population).

5) Develop and provide effective therapeutic diet education to patients/families utilizing appropriate resources and teaching methods.

6) Demonstrates caring practice that creates a compassionate, supportive, and therapeutic environment for patients and staff. Demonstrates respect for patient/family dignity and privacy in all patient/family interactions. Establishes and maintains mutual trust within the dietitian-patient/family relationship and engages patient/family participation in care.

7) Documents assessments, interventions, and monitoring/evaluation according to policy.

8) Utilizes standards of care as a starting point to enhance/individualize patient care and seeks guidance from the Clinical Nutrition Practice Coordinator and Educator or senior dietitians. Contributes to the development of practice guidelines. Adheres to policies and procedures and participates in performance improvement initiatives.

9) Develop and coordinate a nutrition support discharge plan in collaboration with the MD/interdisciplinary team, Case Management, and patient/family, utilizing appropriate resources and referrals, including community resources. (As required based on location and patient population).

10) It addresses patient experience concerns quickly and objectively. Escalates to leadership as needed.

11) Recognize ethical dilemmas within one's practice area and intervene appropriately by utilizing available resources.

12) Participates in departmental committees.

13) Serves as a resource and provides nutrition education to physicians, interdisciplinary teams, and the community at large.

14) Completes annual competencies and mandatory education requirements.

15) Precepts dietetic interns.

16) Demonstrates practical communication skills: written and verbal.

17) Demonstrates progress in meeting professional goals.

18) Adheres to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics professional code of ethics.

Minimally Required Education:

Bachelor's Degree - Food & Nutrition, Dietetics, Human Nutrition or related field; completion of accredited DPD program

Preferred Education:

Master's Degree - Required for those who became certified RD in 2024 or thereafter

Required Work Experience: 

1)  1 year of work experience in a pertinent area of clinical nutrition or proven competency after successful onboarding to meet level 2 practice

Preferred Work Experience: 

1) None Listed

Skills and Competencies: 

Baystate Health required competencies per department

Note: The compensation range(s) in the table below represent the base salaries for all positions at a given grade across the health system. Typically, a new hire can expect a starting salary somewhere in the lower part of the range. Actual salaries may vary by position and will be determined based on the candidate's relevant experience. No employee will be paid below the minimum of the range. Pay ranges are listed as hourly for non-exempt employees and based on assumed full time commitment for exempt employees.

Minimum - Midpoint - Maximum

Baystate 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, marital status, national origin, ancestry, age, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.