JOB TITLE:          Dietitian (PRN)              

DEPARTMENT: Hospice Austin's Christopher House                                              

POSITION SUMMARY

Provides dietary services to patients according to the hospice plan of care.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

REPORTS TO:   Director of Inpatient Services       

SUPERVISES:   None

INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS: All comments, actions and behaviors have a direct effect on the public’s perception of Hospice Austin. Interactions with patients, family members, physicians, referral sources, visitors, co-workers, etc. must be in a manner that is courteous, respectful, cooperative and professional. This behavior should promote an atmosphere of teamwork and positive relations.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Performs dietary services.
   • Assesses nutritional needs of patients; screens for nutritional risk in collaboration with team, to determine need for a mechanically altered diet; assesses effect of end stage disease on hydration and nutrition; identifies factors relating to variances of weight and/or size.
   • Develops nutritional plan of care in consultation with IDT members and/or RN; ensures goals, treatments meet needs of patient/family.
   • Assesses patient/family response to care, including access to food/nutritional supplements, ability to prepare food, adequate tools and space, nutritional risk.
   • Evaluates patient’s response to nutrition care plan. Determines effectiveness of medically prescribed diet. Provides counseling to adapt diet to patient’s changing status.
   • Provides education to patient/family; teaches patients/families and staff special dietary regimens and nutritional requirements as appropriate to diagnosis and individual preference; provides educational tools for patient/family as needed.
   • Provides consultation and in-service education to hospice team and attends IDT meetings as requested.
   • Documents care in a timely manner.
   • Communicates with RN and other team members as appropriate.
2. Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM TRAINING, EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

1. Bachelor's or graduate degree with major in human nutrition, food and nutrition, nutrition education, dietetics, or food systems management, or equivalent internship and preplanned professional experience approved by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Dieticians.
2. Texas Dietitian License required.
3. Valid Texas driver’s license, auto liability insurance and safe driving record.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

1. 1 year of previous hospice experience.
2. 3 years of experience as a Licensed Dietician in the State of Texas.