Clinical Dietitian

**Job Description**:
In accordance with the Vision, Purpose, and Values, and strategic direction of the Vancouver Island Health Authority ( Island Health), patient and staff safety is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone; as such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position.

Reports to Coordinator, Nutrition Services; plans, implements, and evaluates medical nutritional therapy for hospital-based and/or facility-based patients according to guidelines established by Nutrition Services. Manages the nutrition care for patients receiving parenteral nutrition. Instructs and counsels patients and families regarding appropriate nutritional requirements, nutritional regimes, and food planning and preparation. Provides recommendations to the medical team regarding routine of nutrition support, i.e. enteral vs parenteral, and composition of most appropriate nutrition support and vitamin and mineral supplementation, based on the current practice guidelines and best practices. Provides input to the Coordinator in the development of nutrition practice guidelines and procedures, research and quality improvement initiatives for the program

**QUALIFICATIONS**:
**Education, Training And Experience**:
Bachelor's degree from a recognized university with a major in dietetics/nutrition or equivalent. Completion of an accredited dietetic internship program. Registration with the College of Dietitians of British Columbia (CDBC) required including Restricted Activity A & B. 2 years recent relevant experience in a medical/ surgical care setting plus Certified Nutrition Support Clinician (CNSC) from the American Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience. Evidence of ongoing professional development

**Skills And Abilities**:

- Knowledge of enteral and parenteral nutrition, feeding tube access and delivery methods and the ability to interpret and make recommendations as necessary.
- Knowledge of other health care disciplines, their role in health care and the ability to coordinate activities with staff, patients, food services, and/ or support agencies.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships with patients and their families, members of the medical team, departmental employees and representatives of community agencies.
- Ability to organize workload, set priorities and work with mínimal supervision.
- Knowledge of clincal theory and practice within a client/family centred model for care
- Knowledge of enteral and parenteral nutrition, feeding tube access and delivery methods
- Knowledge of the metabolic basis of nutritional care
- Knowledge of the standards of practice and guidelines for clinical practitioners established by the College of Dietitians of British Columbia and Dietitians of Canada
- Knowledge of assessing clients with multi-system nutritional problems
- Knowledge of other health care disciplines and their role in client care
- Knowledge of research process and methodology
- Demonstrated ability to plan and implement nutrition care plans in relation to clien/family priorities
- Demonstrated ability to assess client responses to care plan, and to respond appropriately
- Demonstrated ability to adjust to new or unexpected events, deal with conflict situations and problem-solve and to think critically

**Job Requirements**: