Dietitian Ii Renal

**Summary**: Within the context of a patient, client and family centred model of care and, in accordance with the Mission, Vision and Values, and strategic directions of Providence Health Care, promotes a safe, respectful, and civil working environment for patients, residents, families, visitors and staff.

Reporting to the Professional Practice Leader, Clinical Nutrition, the Dietitian II, Renal utilizes relevant experience and advanced skills to design, implement, evaluate and document the appropriate patient/resident nutritional care plan. Participates in the development of clinical nutrition practice guidelines and procedures, and acts as a resource person for the program across multiple Providence Health Care (PHC) sites, in accordance with professional standards and program objectives. Initiates practice-based research projects in collaboration with the health care team.

**Qualifications / Skills and Education**: Education
Bachelor's degree in Food and Nutrition or Dietetics from a recognized University. Dietetic internship from a Dietitians of Canada accredited program. Two (2) years' recent experience working with patients/residents in a medical/acute care setting with renal experience. Current registration in the College of Dietitians of British Columbia (BC).

Skills and Abilities

Ability to provide leadership and direction.

Ability to communicate with, and to deal effectively with, patients/residents, families, staff, physicians, and other health care providers.

Ability to work independently and in collaboration with others, including the interdisciplinary team.

Ability to initiate and implement research activities.

Ability to plan and provide guidance to students.

Ability to develop and provide in-services and presentations to colleagues and other health professionals.

Ability to work independently and prioritize issues and workload.

Knowledge of legislation and government policies and procedures related to healthcare.

Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.

Ability to operate related equipment.

**Duties and Responsibilities**: Evaluates nutritional status/risk of patients/residents including complex cases, and develops/prescribes, implements, evaluates (initial and ongoing), and documents an appropriate nutritional care plan; liaises with food service staff regarding patient food services related concerns in the renal area.

Instructs and/or counsels patients/residents and family members in nutritional issues such as diet modifications and lifestyle changes.

Determines, refers and/or liaises with community based nutritional resources as required to ensure that patient/resident care issues are addressed.

Completes required patient/resident documentation, forms and reports and documents workload statistics.

Acts as a resource person in the renal area for other dietitians and health care professionals, by providing support for handling complex cases within PHC, the Provincial Referral Centre and other outreach programs.

Identifies and organizes continuing education needs for dietitians and other health care professionals within PHC and other outreach programs by reviewing professional literature, consulting with and providing advice for other health professionals, initiating, developing and presenting relevant educational programs for own discipline and other health care professionals.

Participates in quality improvement activities by initiating, planning, developing, and evaluating quality improvement activities/nutrition interventions/programs including audit tools, written procedures, standards and clinical guidelines for Clinical Nutrition Services and relevant clinical programs.

Supports clinical research activities by identifying areas of research, assessing current research relevant to renal nutrition, generating questions and participating in writing proposals, collecting and interpreting data.

Identifies nutrition related patient educational needs for the renal area; initiates, prepares and presents educational programs and materials in collaboration with departmental and other team members.

Assists the Professional Practice Leader with the practicum for students and dietetic interns by identifying learning objectives and enabling activities, and providing clinical education and supervision in the renal area.

Contributes to an inter-disciplinary approach to patient/resident care and program related issues by attending ward rounds and team conferences to exchange information related to patient/residents care and discharge planning.

Monitors and controls levels of supplies and equipment. Reports equipment malfunctions and arranges for equipment maintenance.

Performs other related duties as assigned.