Registered Dietitian

Full-Time; 1.0 FTE

Days

Location: Open to Onsite or Hybrid- If onsite, will be in Dubuque Iowa. Will only be considering candidates residing in our geographical footprint of IA, IL, and WI. 

The Registered Dietitian (RD), also referred to as Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), is responsible for the provision of medical nutrition therapy for patients using the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics’ Nutrition Care Process. This includes assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring and evaluation. The RD/RDN works in collaboration with other members of the health care team including Licensed Independent Practitioners (LIP’s), Nurse Practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, therapists, and nutrition associates. The RD/RDN represents UnityPoint Health as a nutrition expert and food service consultant to a variety of organizations, provides nutrition lectures and education to students and new staff and participates in community health promotion events. The RD/RDN uses technology to maximize information exchange.

#DBQ

At UnityPoint Health, you matter. We’re proud to be recognized as a Top 150 Place to Work in Healthcare by Becker's Healthcare several years in a row for our commitment to our team members.  

Our competitive Total Rewards program offers benefits options that align with your needs and priorities, no matter what life stage you’re in.  Here are just a few:      

• Expect paid time off, parental leave, 401K matching and an employee recognition program.   

• Dental and health insurance, paid holidays, short and long-term disability and more. We even offer pet insurance for your four-legged family members.  

• Early access to earned wages with Daily Pay, tuition reimbursement to help further your career and adoption assistance to help you grow your family.   

With a collective goal to champion a culture of belonging where everyone feels valued and respected, we honor the ways people are unique and embrace what brings us together.  

And, we believe equipping you with support and development opportunities is a vital part of delivering an exceptional employment experience. 

Find a fulfilling career and make a difference with UnityPoint Health. 

Patient Care and Education

• Purposefully conducts all aspects of the job in an ethical manner in support of the hospital’s commitment to ethical behavior in all areas of personnel and professional activity.
• Successfully completes hospital-wide orientation, annual hospital competencies and department/unit specific competencies.
• Interprets nutrition care orders per approved department nutrition care manual and implements consistently inpatient education and meal service.
• Uses the steps in the Nutrition Care Process (NCP) to interpret nutrition screens, perform initial and follow-up nutrition assessments, and implement interventions and the personalized nutrition plan of care.
• Provides instruction and counsel to patient and/or significant others according to protocol and documents appropriately.
• Documents nutrition care according to department policies using approved format, content and timeliness standards to assure an accurate legal record of patient’s care.
• Assumes all other duties as assigned.

Quality and Performance Improvement

• Performs and documents test trays and special studies per contracted food service and UPH Finley Hospital policies in order to improve quality outcomes as needed.
• Participates in Performance Improvement that provides quality nutrition services outcomes based on current evidence-based standards and meets regulatory standards (DNV, DIA).
• Completes timely written reports. Reports and processes errors, omissions, incidents and unusual occurrences promptly.

Client Communication/Clinical and Community Nutrition Educator  

• Communicates appropriately with interdisciplinary health care teams to assure optimal patient care. Makes appropriate nutrition therapy recommendations to members of the health care team.
• Contributes nutrition expertise by serving as a member of relevant hospital committees.
• As the nutrition expert, provides nutrition education programs for health care providers, associates and members of the community emphasizing the role of good nutrition in a healthy lifestyle in conjunction with the Unity Point Finley Hospital’s mission and FOCUS values through presentations and the media as requested.
• Acts as preceptor to student dietitians (interns) and other health care providers.
• Maintains continuing education. Utilizes and shares information from conferences/workshops.
• Collaborates with the Nutrition Service Assistants to promote effective patient and client communication regarding meal service and nutritional care.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Dietetics/Nutrition.   Completion of an accredited Dietetic Internship or equivalent Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) approved program
• Must be a Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN).
• Maintains a current License to practice Dietetics in the state of Iowa
• Maintains current registration with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). 
• Reads, writes, comprehends and speaks fluent English
• Multicultural Sensitivity
• Nutrition Care Process
• Computer software to access clinical resources (Nutrition Care Manual, evidence-based practice standards and clinical policies), create electronic documents.
• Health literacy
• Critical thinking skills to be able to logically and independently solve problems and follow written and verbal instructions.
• Use of usual and customary equipment used to perform essential functions of the position.