Come join the Dietary Services Team at Lowell General Hospital. This is a great opportunity to work close to home in a family friendly community hospital. If you love working in food service and have strong customer services skills, Lowell General Hospital offers career growth and experience in all aspects of food service!
Hours: 40 hours per week, full time - Day Shift
Rotating weekends (every 6th weekend) on site Saturday, on call on Sunday and on-call for the holidays after 90-day introductory period.
Location: Lowell General Hospital- Main Campus
Job Overview
This position is responsible for providing of optimal nutritional care of assigned hospitalized and ambulatory patients. Functions as the nutritional expert and patient nutrition advocate on the health care team.
Minimum Qualifications:
1. Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition or Public Health.
2. One (1) year of Clinical Dietitian experience.
3. Current registration with the American Dietetic Association & Massachusetts licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist.
Preferred Qualifications:
1. Master’s degree in Nutrition or Public Health.
2. Specialty certifications.
3. Two (2) years of Clinical Dietitian experience.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities listed below are intended to describe the general nature of work and are not intended to be an all-inclusive list. Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned.
The duties and responsibilities listed below are intended to describe the general nature of work and are not intended to be an all-inclusive list. Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned.
1. Screens nutritionist status of each hospitalized patient to determine nutritional needs and the level of nutritional intervention required by reviewing the patient's medical record, especially the patient's medical history, drug history, and clinical laboratory data, and attending team rounds.
2. Performs nutritional and metabolic assessments based on clinical, medical and nutritional data in order to identify patients at nutrition risk. Interviews patients for nutritional history and relates problems to current medical history.
3. Assesses patients' nutritional status, develops medical nutrition care plans, monitors and documents the needs for those patients identified at nutritional risk, transitions eternally or parentally fed patients to discharge regimen. Monitors nutrient intake records and nutrient calculations for selected patients.
4. Reviews physicians' diet orders for appropriateness and recommends clarification or changes as indicated based on nutrition history, medical history, socio-economic factors and laboratory data.
5. Assists in development, implementation and monitoring of quality improvement standards for patient meal service delivery.
6. Educates both patient and families regarding modified or normal diets to meet the individual nutritional needs of the patient and documents counseling in medical record. Prepares patient education materials.
7. Develops and individualized diet plan (based on the evaluation) and counsels the patient and, if necessary, the family, including the planning, purchasing, and preparation of foods to meet the patient's individual needs.
8. Follows progress of patient on successive visits and makes appropriate changes in care plan.
9. Maintains the necessary patient records and statistics, including written evaluations, progress notes, etc.
10. Documents and updates nutritional status, care plan, and counseling in patient's medical record.
11. Provides nutritional consultation to the medical and nursing staff and other members of the health care team.
12. Acts as a resource to community groups regarding nutrition and gives presentations and lectures at professional meetings and to community groups.
13. Provides nutritional in service education to other members of the health care team.
14. Communicates nutrition information to patient service assistant to ensure optimal delivery of medical nutrition therapy.
15. Interacts with other members of the patient's health care team to ensure optimal nutritional care for each patient including discharge planning and continuing care conferences and continued nutritional support in the home environment.
16. Acts as preceptor for the FSNC nutrition interns (graduate students) during their clinical affiliations. Supervises their progress in evaluating patients, developing and implementing care plan, and counseling patients and families. Prepares teaching manuals, resources, etc.
17. Participates in the review, update and implementation of departmental policies and procedures, as assigned.
18. Participates in departmental quality improvement programs as assigned, especially those related to improving patient outcome.
19. Performs necessary administrative duties such as scheduling patient appointments, reviewing medical records and recording billing and insurance information.
20. Responsible for meeting assigned patient billing and volume goals.
21. Participates, as required, in nutrition-related studies and projects.
What We Offer:
Not only is Lowell General Hospital an exceptional place to work, offering a culture of recognizing and valuing employees, we provide amazing opportunities for our staff:
Competitive salaries & benefits that start on day one
Tuition Reimbursement
403(b) retirement plan with hospital match
Opportunities for growth
Free on-campus parking
About Lowell General
For more than 125 years, Lowell General has served the Greater Lowell community with pride. We balance the first-rate care of a premier medical center with the warmth of a three-time Magnet®-recognized community hospital. As a member of our team, you’ll join over 3,000 dedicated care providers to offer complete, connected care, when and where patients need it most.
Tufts Medicine is a leading integrated health system bringing together the best of academic and community healthcare to deliver exceptional, connected and accessible care experiences to consumers across Massachusetts. Comprised of Tufts Medical Center, Lowell General Hospital, MelroseWakefield Hospital, Lawrence Memorial Hospital of Medford, Care at Home - an expansive home care network, and large integrated physician network. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity and inclusion at Tufts Medicine. Tufts Medicine does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, national origin, gender identity and/or expression, marital status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation by emailing us at careers@tuftsmedicine.org.