Registered Dietitian; RD - Richmond Diabetes & Endocrinology

Bon Secours Mercy Health

At Bon Secours Mercy Health, we are dedicated to continually improving health care quality, safety and cost effectiveness. Our hospitals, care sites and clinicians are recognized for clinical and operational excellence.

As a faith-based and patient-focused organization, Bon Secours exists to enhance the health and well-being of all people in mind, body and spirit through exceptional patient care. Success in this goal requires a culture of compassion, collaboration, excellence and respect. Bon Secours seeks people that are committed to our values of compassion, human dignity, integrity, service and stewardship to create an environment where associates want to work and help communities thrive.

The outpatient Registered Dietitian (RD) performs each step of the Nutrition Care Process (NCP), including patient assessment, nutrition diagnosis, nutrition intervention, monitoring and evaluation. The RD applies, participates in, or generates research to enhance clinical practice, and utilizes information technology to manage knowledge, problem solve and support decision making. The RD develops nutrition care plans and educates diverse patient populations through the application of knowledge and principles of disease management, prevention, and behavioral change.

The outpatient RD provides nutrition education to the community through group classes and hospital-affiliated health fairs, wellness activities and promotions. The RD is a specialist in nutrition who is responsible for the nutritional care of patients identified as either having moderate to high risk for diabetes, or who are living with pre-diabetes or diabetes. Working in collaboration with an interdisciplinary team, the RD will share expertise and knowledge of nutrient care with patients, their families, and other health care professionals.

Level of performance is guided by The American Dietetic Association Standards of Practice (SOP) and Standards of Professional Performance (SOPP). All job functions are performed under minimal supervision.

• Assessment Screens, prioritizes, and processes patient referrals.
• Coordinates the assessment of the patient’s nutritional status using anthropometric, biomedical, and nutrition-focused physical findings.
• Determines the risk for diabetes or management of pre-diabetes or diabetes.
• Reviews patient’s clinical information obtained through physician referral, laboratory reports and health records.
• Conducts consultations with patients to obtain relevant information and assess their nutritional learning needs.
• Planning:
  Assists in development of program calendars, identifying priorities, target dates and implementation strategies.
• Reviews current literature/resources to support preparation of education materials and tools.
• Develops and discusses appropriate individualized nutritional care plan with the patient based on best practices and guidelines.
• Manages, reviews, and makes recommendations regarding protocols for the nutrition education of patients.
• Implementation:
  Works in close collaboration with the physician and the full interdisciplinary team to safely and effectively provide appropriate care to patients.
• Provides nutritional education to meet patients’ learning needs.
• Recommends and adapts teaching to the patient’s identified nutritional needs, revising treatment protocols as required.
• Facilitates group educational sessions using the principles of adult learning.
• Documents medical nutrition therapy treatments in patient’s health record using standardized nutrition diagnosis PES (problem, etiology, signs/symptoms) statements.
• Refers to other resources and arranges follow-up as necessary.
• Communication:
  Communicates effectively with the physician and other health care team members to create a cohesive team and seamless services for the community.
• Participates in interdisciplinary meetings as required.
• Evaluation:
  Evaluates patient comprehension and compliance to the nutritional plan by reviewing clinical and learning outcomes.
• Team Development:
  Works effectively within an interdisciplinary team, in varied…