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The 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.

The Dietitian is responsible for providing nutritional assessment and instruction as prescribed by the physician and in consultation with other members of the Health Care Team. The Dietitian functions as a resource for all clinical staff.

Responsibilities:

• Provides nutritional screening to identify patients at nutrition risk/priority patients.
• Interprets nutrition assessment data including history, anthropometric, biochemical, physical examination findings and medical tests.
• Identifies and labels an existing nutrition problem to be treated.
• Documents a clear and concise problem, etiology, signs and symptoms (PES) statement.
• Implements appropriate nutrition intervention/education goal directed towards resolving the nutrition problem.
• Identifies the amount of progress made toward nutrition goal.
• Accurately calculates nutrition needs of patients.
• Obtains relevant information from patient diet history.
• Communicates with physicians appropriate interventions to optimize nutritional care.
• Calculates parenteral and enteral nutritional needs, assesses adequacy of nutrition support and makes recommendations as appropriate.
• Provides for therapeutic accuracy of patient menus, modifying menus according to approved diet manual.
• Records all relevant information and considerations in electronic medical record according to department standards In forms.
• Informs patient of rationale for diet and explains details of appropriate diet to patient level of understanding.
• Considers patients culture, religious practices, emotional barriers, physical limitations, cognitive limitations, language barriers, economic barriers, and age specific criteria when assessing educational needs.
• Chooses appropriate nutrition education materials for patients.
• Conducts individualized and group counseling sessions on therapeutic diets to physician referred patients on an outpatient basis.
• Interprets physician diet orders and lab results as they relate to the individual's diet.
• Involves patient and/ or family in developing the nutrition treatment plan.
• Chooses appropriate nutrition intervention plan as it relates to individuals age, culture, lifestyle and food preferences.
• Contacts physicians as needed to clarify patient nutritional care. maintains appropriate files on all patients
• Maintains appropriate files on all patients counseled in keeping with medical record requirements.
• Responsible for room facilities, equipment, and all educational materials for classes conducted.
• Provides community nutrition education programs as requested in conjunction with the public relations department.
• Assists in planning, implementing, and evaluating at class outlines.
• Performs other and related duties as directed.

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in food and nutrition, dietetics, or related field; must be a registered dietitian nutritionist with the Commission on dyadic registration. Must be licensed by the State of Illinois.
•  Minimum of two years nutrition counseling experience: emphasis on ambulatory counseling and group teaching preferred.

Preferred:

• Masters degree

Northwestern Medicine is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.

If we offer you a job, we will perform a background check that includes a review of any criminal convictions. A conviction does not disqualify you from employment at Northwestern Medicine. We consider this on a case-by-case basis and follow all state and federal guidelines.