Description of Primary Responsibilities:

1. Assessment: Collects participant data and completes required forms with appropriate responses according to department and industry standards; identifies participant’s overt nutritional problems/needs, including proper intake and texture, and sets reasonable priorities. Identifies problems requiring further referral and/or follow-up; assesses participants’ responses and satisfaction with nutrition services.
2. Planning Care: Develops a plan of care based on nutritional therapeutic process, American Dietetic Association (ADA) standards, and which incorporates the plans of other disciplines and continuing care needs; includes the participant /family in developing or revising the nutrition plan of care; and makes referrals to interdisciplinary support services. Initial and periodic assessments (minimally every 6 months) to be completed prior to the scheduled team meetings. Communicates participant changes to team members.
3. Implementing/Managing Care: Ensure that meals being provided conform to accepted nutritional industry standards and organizational/department standards, including proper serving and storage temperatures.  Demonstrate a thorough understanding of age-related characteristics, symptoms, and needs of participants served; provide in-service education to participants, families/caregivers, FHCN PACE staff, and contractors regarding nutritional requirements and special dietary regimens as prescribed by the physician.  Work with primary care physicians to develop nutrition plans and to implement physician orders as necessary and as appropriate to dietary standards.  Provide participant and family education in coordination of 24-hour care delivery. Document all nutrition interventions and recommendations accurately and within departmental time requirements into participants’ charts.  Supervise meal service delivery to participants attending day health center, including coordinating meal service with outside vendors, where applicable. Understand and demonstrate respect for participant rights and utilize established mechanisms for the management of ethical issues in participant care.
4. Evaluation: Observe, monitor, and record participant nutritional intake as planned and recommend any variation with nutritional plan, with appropriate rationale.  Monitor participant weight and note significant changes to recommend dietary changes as appropriate. Review diet orders in charts to ensure appropriateness.
5. Leadership: Recognize department problems and take responsibility for documentation; demonstrate active participation in QI processes; proactively report any deficiencies or issues with food service vendor(s) to Center Manager.
6. Interdisciplinary Team (IDT):  Participate as an active and cooperative member of the Interdisciplinary Team. Attend staff meetings and take part in participant care planning.
7. If applicable, oversees contract vendors for food services and/or direct employees.
8. Other projects and duties as assigned.
9. Responsible for the direct provision of nutritional services meeting all established productivity expectations.
   • Will conduct educational and counseling programs for both individual patients and groups of patients.
   • Expected to document visits accurately utilizing appropriate templates and record relevant data to attain a diagnosis.
10. Meets Network and credentialing expectations for licensure and employment.
11. Perform interval history and physicals on established participants, completed quarterly or as indicated.
12. Document participant changes appropriately in the medical records and communicate participant changes to IDT in a timely manner.
13. Participate as a member of the IDT. Attend staff meetings and take part in participant care planning.
14. Performs other duties as assigned.

Description of Primary Attributes

Professional & Technical Knowledge:

1. Bachelor’s degree in nutrition from an ADA-accredited institution.
2. Minimum one-year work experience as a Registered Dietitian.
3. Either have one year of experience working with a frail or elderly population or, in the absence of such experience, receive appropriate training from the FHCN PACE on working with a frail or elderly population upon hiring.
4. Registered member of the ADA and registered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration.
5. CDE status preferred, but not required; must be CDE eligible in 24 months.
6. Clinical dietetics for geriatric population.

Technical Skills:

1. Work effectively in a team environment.
2. Communicate effectively and openly with other Interdisciplinary Team members on participant status and needs.
3. Teach, think analytically, and provide nutritional guidance and education to geriatric participants and their families.
4. Only act within the scope of his/her authority to practice.
5. Meet a standardized set of competencies for the specific position description established by FHCN PACE and approved by regulatory agencies before working independently.
6. Be medically cleared for communicable diseases and have all immunizations up to date before engaging in direct participant contact.
7. Pass a criminal background which will verify that the candidate is: not excluded from participation in Medicare and Medicaid programs; has not been convicted of criminal offenses related to their involvement in Medicaid, Medicare, other health insurance or health care programs, or social services programs under title XX of the Act; and have not been convicted of physical, sexual, drug or alcohol abuse.
8. Ability to create highly complex documents in Microsoft Word, including linking multiple files and embedding objects linked to other documents.
9. Ability to use advanced functions of Microsoft Excel, such as creating and managing databases, including creating standardized reports, or linking multiple worksheets and workbooks.
10. Ability to develop sophisticated presentations in Microsoft PowerPoint, including the use of embedded objects, transitions, and other elements.

Licenses & Certifications: 

1. Maintain an active Registered Dietitian (RD) license from the state commission board preferred.

Communications Skills:

1. Job duties require the compilation and analysis of information prepared in an effective written form, including correspondence, reports, articles, or other documentation.
2. Duties require preparation and execution of presentations to large groups.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical demands:  Employee must be able to sit for extended periods of time. Employees will also be an active member of the interdisciplinary team at the FHCN PACE center, engaged with employees, participants and with staff.  Employees are required to use hands and fingers, especially for typing on the computer and using the mouse.  Employees must be able to talk and hear, particularly for daily interactions with staff and elderly participants. Must be medically cleared for communicable diseases and have all immunizations up to date before engaging in direct participant contact.

Work Environment:  Employee must be able to work effectively within an interdisciplinary team model, interfacing and collaborating with a wide range of clinical and social services disciplines who work together to manage the FHCN PACE members’ care. The work setting is in an Adult Day Health Center and primary care clinic environment with moderate noise levels and controlled office temperatures.