The Advanced Dietitian reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization's Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

A licensed, registered Advanced Dietitian can perform the full range of Clinical Dietitian duties. In addition, the Advanced Dietitian practices in specialized areas such as renal disease, transplant, research, neonatology, critical care, and nutrition support where 90% of the patients are medically and nutritionally complex and specialized knowledge is required to complete quality patient care. The Advanced Dietitian holds advanced certification in a specialized area of nutrition, and may also hold a master's degree. They can function autonomously in providing nutrition therapy, and collaborate with other health professionals to provide high quality, cost effective nutrition care through expert clinical reasoning and evidence-based practice. The Advanced Dietitian utilizes clinical assessment skills to order/implement, initiate, or modify orders for diet or nutrition related actions in collaboration with patients health care teams. They are responsible for administrative activities, including coverage for level 1 manager, problem solving, dietetic intern development and program development.

Responsibilities:

• Demonstrates clinical expertise and expanded knowledge of advanced nutrition and application to the complex patient
• Demonstrates skilled order writing and nutrition prescription abilities for the complex patient
• Develops/revises nutrition care protocols for patient populations/diagnoses groups, and acts as a leader for the health care team in the implementation of nutrition therapies
• Serves as a resource for nutrition staff, medical staff, nursing and students
• Confers and collaborates with health care team in the comprehensive care of patients
• Develops appropriate education systems for patients, families, and staff in areas of expertise
• Mentors staff/students in aspects of advanced nutrition and patient care
• Actively participates in QAPI/research opportunities in areas of expertise

Clinical:

• Clinical assessment of patients, including but not limited to medical diagnosis and history, lab values, diet history, medication, and other medical information to determine patient nutritional status, and appropriate plan of care and nutrition interventions
• Plan and prescribe appropriate nutrition therapy within scope of expertise and privileging for desired patient outcome
• Identify and initiate appropriate nutritional interventions:
  • Collaborate with healthcare team to align interventions with goals of care
• Prescribe and initiate appropriate nutritional therapy in accordance with specified privileges:
  • Therapeutic diet, nutrition related labs, nutritional supplements, enteral support (tube feedings and modulars), parenteral support with common additives, including but not limited to electrolytes, vitamins/minerals, insulin
• Interprets/discusses data regarding pharmacotherapy
• Selects appropriate feeding route and enteral/parenteral formula, including additional modulars and additives as listed above
• Teaches and counsels patients and families on appropriate nutrition therapy for disease state or prevention and wellness, desired outcomes and behavior objectives
• Evaluates effectiveness/outcomes of intervention/therapies and modifies treatment/interventions as needed. Measures may include anthropometrics, changes in medical condition, and tolerance to therapies
• Collaborates with home care providers/DMEs for prescribed nutritional support
• Attends medical rounds in areas of practice
• Documents in the medical record all care provided
• Consults with other disciplines as appropriate
• Directs patients to appropriate follow up care when needed
• Identifies and documents billable nutrition diagnosis with proper documentation
• Provides nutrition services to outpatient areas where applicable
• Confirms diagnosis for Medical Nutrition Therapy
• Documents as required to maximize reimbursement using EPIC in outpatient areas
• Enters appropriate billing codes for patient visit
• Teaches nutrition to medical students through lecture programs
• Develops and presents community education programs and works with marketing and media as assigned

Professional:

• Demonstrates the following professional attributes:
  • Integrates research/evidence based knowledge into clinical expertise and decision making
  • Exemplifies a professional image in appearance, manner and presentation
  • Advocates for patients, families, coworkers, community and nutrition professionals
  • Maintains advanced certification and continuing education as required by the Commission on Dietetic Registration, state licensure and other regulatory bodies
  • Assumes leadership roles within the organization and in professional organizations

Leadership/Organization:

• Serves as a patient advocate and role model for Patients First
• Mentors staff to ensure quality of nutrition practice in patient care
• Assists with policy development and review in areas of expertise
• Participates in department and/or organization committees/task forces
• Uses expertise in decision making, problem solving and evaluating nutrition systems/protocols
• Identifies areas for quality monitoring and process improvement, and leads or actively participates in project
• Responsible for administrative activities, including coverage for level 1 manager

Education:

• Provides comprehensive teaching strategies for patients and families
• Provides in-service education/Continuing Education programs in areas of expertise
• Precepts dietetic interns/graduate students and other staff
• Provides formal education to both internal and external groups pertinent to area of specialty

Research:

• Actively participates in research opportunities
• Participates in Nutrition Day research
• Participates in department/organization QAPI

Addendum:

• Lake Forest location only:
  • Provides Nutrition Services for Abbvie Clinical Trials through menu development, nutritional analysis for their Clinical Trial test subjects. This includes participation of weekly calls and monthly on site staff meetings.

Required:

• Bachelor of Science in Nutrition/Dietetics AND completion of the required nutrition classes to be eligible for and complete a Dietetic Internship as approved by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics/Commission on Dietetic Registration.
• Current registration as a dietitian with the Commission on Dietetics
• Current license as a Registered Dietitian with the State of Illinois
• Current certification in an area of advanced practice dietetics
• Minimum of 3 years of experience, with 1-2 years in area of specialty
• Experience in teaching/presenting to professionals for continued education or advanced nutrition care skills
• Excellent networking, organizational and team building skill, along with superior interactions with clients/patients and healthcare teams
• Meets all organizational and department competencies for position and privileges

Preferred:

• Master's degree in Nutrition or related field.