Employment Type:

Shift:

Description:

GENERAL SUMMARY:

Responsible for assessing the nutritional status and providing individualized nutrition care plans and education from the analysis of the electronic medical record and patient interview for each patient utilizing specialized knowledge and skills.

CORPORATE PHILOSOPHY STATEMENT:

It is the obligation of each employee of Mercy Medical Center to abide by and promote the mission and core values of the Spirit of Mercy.

CORPORATE POLICY STATEMENT:

It is the obligation of each employee of Mercy Medical Center to comply with Mercy’s mission, values, standards of conduct, policies, procedures and related practices (e.g. Dress Code, Time and Attendance, and other policies).

HIPAA SECURITY COMPLIANCE:

Security Access: High “Incumbent has access to restricted or confidential patient information and must comply with the terms of the Mercy Medical Center Security Policies as it applies to their job role.”

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Conduct comprehensive nutrition assessments, interventions, and education for oncology and hematology patients across the young adult, adult, and geriatric populations, utilizing specialized knowledge and technical skills to optimize nutritional status.
• Provide daily individualized nutrition counseling for outpatients in medical oncology, radiation oncology, and surgical oncology. Assess nutritional needs; educate patients and families on appropriate diet selections; and recommend interventions such as oral supplementation or enteral nutrition support.
• Document nutrition assessments, care plans, and follow-up evaluations clearly and accurately in the medical record.
• Participate in weekly tumor boards and interdisciplinary patient care conferences in radiation therapy.
• Perform in-depth nutrition assessments, including evaluation of medical and nutrition history, laboratory data, weight trends, and anthropometric measurements. Analyze energy and nutrient needs using appropriate calculations and modeling, and communicate recommendations to physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.
• Provide in-service education to oncology nurses, dietitians, social workers, and other hospital staff on nutrition assessment and management of oncology patients.
• Respond to nutrition-related inquiries from patients, staff, and external sources via telephone.
• Attend departmental and interdisciplinary meetings; collaborate regularly with the manager to discuss performance, goals, and departmental needs.
• Deliver individualized outpatient nutrition education upon referral and communicate outcomes and recommendations to referring providers.
• Develop and lead patient education classes using a variety of instructional materials (e.g., presentations, handouts, visual aids).
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives as assigned.
• Support or conduct formal educational sessions on nutrition and diet therapy, with emphasis on oncology and hematology care.

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Current registration with the Commission on Dietetic Registration is required or exam eligible. 
• Licensure by the State of Iowa is required.
• Bachelor’s degree in nutrition or dietetics required.
• Graduates after January 1, 2024 must have a master's degree in dietetics or degree that meets the requirements of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics to sit for the exam Graduates prior to 2024 are grandfathered into the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
• Successful completion of an internship coordinated undergraduate program or post-graduate program accredited by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

• Requires at least three to five years of experience as a clinical dietitian with progressive levels of responsibility. May require further training in the specific areas of responsibility, either prior to starting position or as a part of the job training.
• Credentialing in area of specialization (e.g. CSO) is preferred, either prior to starting position or within first year of employment where applicable.
• Proof of completion of Mandatory Reporter abuse training specific to population served within three (3) months of hire. 
• A professional level of knowledge in nutrition and dietetics, which acquired by completing a regular, four-year college program with a Bachelor of Science degree in Dietetics.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY REQUIREMENTS: (Constant = 67-100% of workday, Frequent = 34-66% of workday, Occasional = 33% or less of workday)

CONSTANT

• Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately or quickly.
• Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal range. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication.

FREQUENT

• Fingering: Picking, typing or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand or arm as in handling.
• Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
• Standing: Particularly for sustained periods of time.
• Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for short distances.
• Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.

OCCASIONAL

• Repetitive Motion: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands and/or fingers.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to life, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.

VISUAL ACUITY REQUIREMENTS:

• Reading messages, computer terminals, correspondence, instruction and educational materials, medical records.
• Calculating total energy/nutrition intake and needs.
• Writing, analyzing data, inspecting, alphabetizing.

INTELLECTUAL/EMOTIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Adaptability to accepting responsibility for the direction, control, or planning of inventory control and purchasing activities.
• Adaptability to situations involving the interpretation of feelings, ideas, or facts in terms of personal viewpoint.

• Adaptability to influencing people in their opinions, attitudes, or judgments about ideas or things.
• Adaptability to making generalizations, evaluations, or decisions based on sensory or judgmental criteria.
• Adaptability to making generalizations, evaluations, or decisions based on measurable or verifiable criteria.
• Adaptability to dealing with people beyond giving and receiving instructions.
• Adaptability to performing repetitive work or to performing continuously the same work, according to set procedures, sequence, or pace.
• Adaptability to performing under stress when confronted with emergency, critical, or unusual situations.
• Adaptability to performing a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of a different nature without loss of efficiency or composure.
• Ability to maintain both a high standard of courtesy and cooperation in dealing with co-workers, patients, and visitors and satisfactory job performance despite the stress of a hospital work environment.

TOOLS/EQUIPMENT:

· Standard medical and nursing equipment, special equipment or office equipment found in the assigned area.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

· The worker is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.

· The worker is subject to food spills and wet spots on floor surfaces.

Our Commitment

Rooted in our Mission and Core Values, we honor the dignity of every person and recognize the unique perspectives, experiences, and talents each colleague brings. By finding common ground and embracing our differences, we grow stronger together and deliver more compassionate, person-centered care. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.