Dietitian

Job description / Role

GENERAL PURPOSE OF THE JOB

This position provides nutrition services and education to dialysis patients and authorized caregivers in clinical settings to support and maximize the patient’s nutritional well-being.

Note: All duties are performed in accordance with DaVita policies & procedures, Kingdom and local regulations.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: No

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The following duties and responsibilities generally reflect the expectations of this position but are not intended to be all inclusive.
• Independently evaluates, develops and completes comprehensive nutrition assessment and reassessment consistent with DaVita standards.
• Works with patient and clinical team to establish, document and update plan of care (POC) to achieve short and long term goals
• Assesses on-going nutritional status to determine appropriate nutrition intervention(s) and recommendations. Consults physician regarding lab tests as needed.
• Develops individualized Medical Nutrition Therapy including meal plans for patients based on reported lab results and individualized goals
• Identifies and develops the treatment and nutritional goals for POC and updates as outlined by the clinic’s governing body for stable and unstable patients.
• Effectively and efficiently handles unique or very difficult situations
• Provides nutrition education and counseling based on individualized patient needs including nutrient requirements, knowledge and abilities, medical, economic, and social situation
• Selects or develops education materials and methods appropriate for individual patient
• Monitors nutritional status, laboratory values, dialysis adequacy, adherence to diet and response to nutrition related medications and therapy to determine appropriate nutrition intervention and recommendations
• Documents nutrition progress at least monthly
• Functions as Mineral and Bone Disorder Manager
• Reviews monthly lab results with each patient and/or caregiver and provides patient with a printed patient nutrition report
• Evaluates outcomes and identifies factors that may contribute to undesirable results and documents appropriately
• Contacts and collaborates with extended care facility staff, or other appropriate medical personnel or caregivers to facilitate adequate and appropriate nutritional care
• Participates in patient care conferences, continuous quality improvement (CQI) teams
• Leads improvement initiatives and uses analytical and critical thinking skills to implement solutions
• May have additional responsibilities at the National, Regional or Local Level
• Presents nutrition related in-service for teammates at least annually

Requirements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education, licenses, certifications, and experience required to fulfill the essential duties, include computer skills as required.
• Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition, Dietetics, or similar area required
• Registered Dietitian with at least 12 months clinical experience
• Current licensure or certifications as required by KSA
• Intermediate computer skills and proficiency with MS Word, Excel, Outlook required as well as functional proficiency with DaVita specific applications within 60 days of employment

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Fluent in the written and verbal skills necessary to perform successfully the essential functions, duties, and responsibilities of the position.
• Ability to read, speak, and write Arabic and English with clarity of expression sufficient to communicate technical and complex concepts to teammates, patients, and patient’s family members in clear and easily and understandable terms required (moderate proficiency in English highly preferred)
• Ability to understand clinical/medical vocabulary written or spoken in English preferred

VISUAL REQUIREMENTS

Vision adequate to perform essential duties and responsibilities of position, including repetitive use of a computer

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Physical requirements can vary. These must be reviewed with management. However, in general, the position requires the following physical activities:
• Ability to lift minimum of 5 pounds to a maximum of 20 pounds unassisted; able to sit for extended periods of time with some standing, stooping, walking, stretching, reaching, lifting; moderate range of body motions
• Ability to hear and interact by phone and in person clearly and efficiently
• Ability to use computer and all peripherals as needed to meet goals

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Job required tasks normally do not involve exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues, but may require performing unplanned Level I tasks. The normal work routine involves no exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues; however, exposure or potential exposure may be required as a condition of employment and appropriate personal protection measures are required in those instances. Normal hazards are associated with business travel.

About the Company

DaVita is the dialysis division of DaVita HealthCare Partners Inc., a Fortune 500® company that, through its operating divisions, provides a variety of health care services to patient populations throughout the United States and abroad. A leading provider of kidney care in the United States, DaVita delivers dialysis services to patients with chronic kidney failure and end stage renal disease. DaVita strives to improve patients’ quality of life by innovating clinical care, and by offering integrated treatment plans, personalized care teams and convenient health-management services. As of December 31, 2013, DaVita operated or provided administrative services at 2,074 outpatient dialysis centers located in the United States serving approximately 163,000 patients. The company also operated 73 outpatient dialysis centers located in 10 countries outside the United States. DaVita supports numerous programs dedicated to creating positive, sustainable change in communities around the world. The company’s leadership development initiatives and social responsibility efforts have been recognized by Fortune, Modern Healthcare, Newsweek and WorldBlu.