Clinical Dietitian- Community Geriatric Rehabilitation- Geriatric Services- Full Time

The Sault Area Hospital is currently recruiting a Full-Time Registered Dietitian for the new Community Geriatric Rehabilitation Program. Reporting directly to the patient care manager of Geriatric Services, the Registered Dietitian is responsible for completing comprehensive nutrition assessments including development and implementation of nutrition care plans. The Registered Dietitian will also provide population-level education to seniors and their families. 

 DUTIES:

1. Screen and identify patients requiring nutrition assessment and intervention using established nutrition care standards and validated screening tools.
2. Respond to and prioritize referrals received from physicians and interprofessional team members, families and patients.
3. Use scientific evidence, nutrition-focused physical assessment, medication/nutrient interactions, biochemical, medical nutrition history, and socioeconomic and psychosocial data to asses the patients’ nutritional needs.
4. Develop, prescribe, coordinate and evaluate the effectiveness of nutritional care plans.
5. Provide individualized nutrition education to patients and families.
6. Conduct needs assessments, environmental scans, and literature reviews to design geriatric nutrition services for the community population.
7. Design and deliver dynamic educational programs to improve the nutrition status of seniors in the community.
8. Develop resources and senior-friendly educational material for nutrition topics.
9. Accurately document all patient nutrition care appropriately in the patients’ medical charts per organizational and College of Dietitians standards.
10. Participate in the development of clinic policies and procedures specific to patient nutritional care.
11. Provide continuing education to interprofessional team members and community organizations, promoting the role of the dietitian as a primary resource for accurate, evidence-based nutrition information.
12. Liaise with community groups and institutions as required for the purpose of coordinating patient care. Refer patients to other professionals/community services where indicated.
13. Function as a professional role model demonstrating good interpersonal skills and a commitment to continuous learning and development.
14. Maintain current knowledge of best practices and benchmarks for the delivery of services, appropriate research, literature, accreditation requirements, policy and legislative requirements and implementing improvements/changes as appropriate.
15. Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Graduate of integrated or post-degree internship or Masters program accredited by the Partnership for Dietetic Education and Practice (PDEP).
2. Registration with the College of Dietitians of Ontario in good standing.
3. A valid driver’s license and full time use of a reliable vehicle is required.

EXPERIENCE:

1. Minimum 3 years’ clinical experience as a Registered Dietitian.
2. Two years of experience working with the older adult population.

SKILL/ABILITY:

1. Recent patient care experience as a Registered Dietitian, preferably in a geriatric care setting.
2. Highly motivated and self-directed with an ability to work independently as needed.
3. Ability to work well with and contribute to a highly skilled interdisciplinary team, liaising with and referring to other professionals as indicated.
4. Working knowledge of the psychological, physical and functional implications of the aging process.
5. Knowledge of the current evidence surrounding nutrition needs of elderly adults, including how they differ from general nutrition recommendations.
6. Familiarity with nutrition guidelines and recommended interventions for conditions and nutrition issues that commonly affect seniors.
7. Ability to identify factors that may affect patients’ nutrition intake/status and ability to follow the nutrition care plan, such as cognitive, cultural, functional status, psychosocial, ethical, and socio-economical factors.
8. Demonstrated adaptability and flexibility to respond to emerging and dynamic program needs.
9. Translating and assimilating scientific, medical and nutritional information into practical, individualized treatment plans.
10. Ability to identify nutritional disease states using nutrition assessment and prescribe appropriate medical nutrition therapy to correct or mitigate the condition.
11. Ability to treat/manage complex nutritional needs of patients who may have numerous comorbidities.
12. Behaviour consistent with Hospital Mission, Vision, Values and Standards of Performance.
13. Customer service, interpersonal and telephone skills.
14. Computer literacy in a Microsoft environment.
15. Ability to maintain successful working relationships with the interdisciplinary team to achieve positive patient outcomes.
16. Ability to organize time effectively to perform the duties of the position.
17. Ability to meet and interact with people in a pleasant, professional, responsible and reassuring manner.
18. Human relations skills including empathy, sensitivity, understanding of human and organizational behavior, motivational techniques and counseling skills.
19. Ability to read, write and communicate to perform the duties of the position.