SUMMARY: The Regional Dietitian Consultant provides comprehensive medical nutrition therapy to residents within the facility in accordance with current standards of professional practice, and applicable federal, state and local standards, guidelines and regulations. He/she will ensure that the highest level of quality nutrition care and dining services are delivered and maintained.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Routinely visits the facility(s) assigned with the frequency of visits to be determined by the complexity of the nutritional program and size of the facility.
• Assesses the nutritional status of customers inclusive of lab value interpretation, consumption patterns, weight maintenance, food/drug interactions, dietary compliance, customer independence, and overall customer wellbeing.
• Performs assessments routinely on new admissions, monthly for customers at nutritional risk. Assessments must include recommended intervention and appropriate dialogue to the Food Service Director, Nursing Services and Administration.
• Ensures appropriate documentation of nutritional assessment and recommended intervention in the customer chart and/or care plan; reviews the documentation of others regarding nutritional concerns and responds appropriately.
• Reviews diet orders and documentation of reason of change.
• Maintains two-way communication with center Administrator, Food Service Director, and Nursing Services.
• Addresses appropriate nutritional concerns with all members of the nutrition support team inclusive of the Food Service Director, Nursing Services, Speech Therapist and Occupational Therapist
• Gives diet instruction for residents.
• Performs other assignments, as requested and approved by the Administrator, inclusive of: menu revision, meal service assessment, policy and procedure review, sanitation assessment, in-service participation (either as an instructor or a student), Food Service Director training, Dietary Staff training, etc.
• Ensures that the policies and procedures for assessing client changes are adhered to.
• Puts Customer Service First: Ensures that customers and families receive the highest quality of service in a caring and compassionate atmosphere which recognizes the individual's' needs and rights.
• Performs other duties as requested.

QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Bachelor’s Degree required, with major studies in food and nutrition, or dietetics.
• Must possess an appropriate state license.
• 2 years of long term care experience is required.
• Thoroughly familiar with all state and federal regulations governing nutrition care and dining services in long term care facilities.
• Ability to travel up to 50% of the time.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must be able to move intermittently throughout the day.
• Must be able to push, pull, move, and/or lift minimum of 25 pounds to a minimum height of 5 feet and be able to push, pull, move, and/or carry such weight a minimum distance of 50 feet.
• May be necessary to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.