Lead Clinical Dietitian

FLSA STATUS

Exempt

• Master’s degree in dietetics, food science, nutrition, institutional management, or related field

• Five years hospital direct patient care experience as a Registered Dietitian; may consider HM employee with four years hospital direct patient care dietitian experience of which three years is as a Clinical Dietitian with demonstrated progressive leadership abilities
• Three years of clinical nutrition in a large, teaching hospital preferred

• RD - Registered Dietician (CDR) - Commission on Dietetic  the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and
• LD - License Dietitian, State Licensure - Texas Department of Licensing and  by Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation and
• Must have one of the following certifications:
  
  CDCES - Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CBDCE) or CSR - Certified Specialist Renal Nutrition (CDR) or CNSC - Certified Nutrition Support Clinician (NBNSC) or CCTD - Clinical Transplant Dietitian (NATCO)

• BLS - Basic Life Support or Instructor (AHA)

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations
• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security
• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles
• Strong knowledge of local City Food Ordinance guidelines and Health department standards
• Function independently and exercise judgment in interactions with physicians, interprofessional care team and patients and their families
• Possesses comprehensive computer knowledge including Microsoft products
• Exhibits strong interpersonal, teamwork and leadership skills with all levels of the healthcare team and assures delivery of excellent customer service to all patients, visitors, physicians and co-workers
• Adapts to multiple ongoing priorities with minimal supervision including, organizing work flow and actively participating in problem‑solving

• Role models to team members effective verbal, non‑verbal and written communication skills, assisting in their development of such skills. Collaborates with management and all members of the inter‑professional care team by actively communicating and reporting pertinent patient care information and data in a comprehensive manner. Corresponds with other health care professionals regarding client’s nutrition care plan, as necessary.
• Assists Clinical Nutrition Manager as a department lead for registered dietitian (RD) staff. Independently and expertly serves as the department primary resource for staff for all nutrition inquiries and provide counseling while upholding Houston Methodist and industry standards of ethics. Coordinates new hire training activities and schedule.
• Leads and initiates problem resolution within the work unit. Role‑models skills, through peer‑to‑peer accountability, to optimize improvement of department score for employee engagement.

• Executes above average clinical and critical thinking skills in assessing the nutrition status of clients and/or patients. Uses therapeutic communication, which includes active listening and teaching, to establish a relationship with patients, families and inter‑professional health care team to collaborate on the plan of care. Consistently evaluates the patient’s comprehension and adapts teaching methods accordingly.
• Proactively identifies needs for adjustment/intervention for optimum patient care and experience. Monitors and adjusts activities of the assigned team to ensure optimum patient throughput and patient experience. Advocates on patient/family’s behalf to identify and resolve clinical and ethical concerns, utilizing appropriate resources.
• Serves as liaison between team members, management and…