Clinical Dietitian

The Registered Dietician (RD) works collaboratively with the interdisciplinary cancer care team in the ambulatory care setting to guide and support patients' nutrition care throughout their cancer treatment. The RD serves as an advocate and liaison between the medical team and the patient. Provides counseling and education services to patients with disease processes that require nutritional assessment and intervention. Identifies patients who are at high risk for malnutrition, dehydration, significant weight loss/gain, and symptom burden that could impact nutrition and to work with those patients to maintain optimal nutritional status throughout the cancer care continuum. The registered dietician serves as a resource for aiding with supportive care planning for tube feeding, nutritional supplements, diet education, community outreach activities, behavior modifications impacting nutritional health, and general counseling.

Through evidence-based practice the RD provides guidance to patients and the care team in meeting goals for calories, protein, and fluid intake to minimize treatment interruptions, help to ease side effects, and improving patient’s overall quality of life. The RD actively participates in multidisciplinary rounds and case discussions, providing the care team with therapeutic nutritional goals of care for patients being presented.

The RD helps foster behavioral change to prevent disease or restore health, for individuals and groups, through education and counseling, skill development, promoting attitudes conducive to weight management, eating a healthy diet. The incumbent is up to date with current nutrition information as it relates to Oncology. The incumbent may have access to highly confidential patient, employee and/or Mercy proprietary information, and must handle & protect the information in accordance with hospital & system policies, HIPAA requirements and the highest level of ethical standards. The incumbent is responsible for reporting all security events, potential events, or other security risks to the organization. The incumbent is responsible for participation in and completion of all patient safety initiatives appropriate to the position and conducts all job responsibilities according to the Mission and Values of Mercy Hospital.

Credentials:

Essential:

*Education and experience enabling ADA Registration (RD or RD eligible) and State of Maine licensure as a Dietitian and one (2) year of clinical experience preferred.

Board Certified Specialist in Oncology Nutrition, eligible or attain certification after documented hours of practice experience attained.

Education:

Essential:

* Education and experience enabling ADA Registration (RD or RD eligible) and State of Maine licensure as a Dietitian and one (2) year of clinical experience preferred. 

Experience: 

Must have analytical and problem-solving skills to weigh multiple medical and lifestyle factors together with patient motivation and ability to produce an effective nutrition plan. Must exhibit judgement in dealing professionally with differing physician treatment methods and resolving conflicts to patient care. Must have initiative to independently follow patient medical status and follow through with appropriate nutritional care with minimal supervision. Excellent interpersonal skills are required for the incumbent to communicate in a positive, supportive manner with patients and families in detailing care requirements and providing nutrition support. The incumbent must deal professionally and effectively with medical staff and coworkers in explaining and guiding the nutrition facet of patient care and resolving problems. Must be highly accountable as the incumbent’s work and judgement directly impacts patient care. The incumbent has access to confidential patient information.

Working conditions:

Essential:

* Potential exposure to abusive and/or aggressive people.

* Potential exposure to diseases or infections.

* Potential exposure to hazardous materials.

* Potential exposure to noise levels being uncomfortable.

* Potential exposure to noxious odors.

* Potential exposure to very hot or cold temperatures.

* Work with computers, typing, reading or writing.

* Lifting, moving and loading 20 to 30 pounds.

* Continuous sitting.