The Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) provides nutrition consultation and education for patients and their families who are screened at nutrition risk, identified with nutrition risk, and/or referred by physicians or other healthcare providers for nutrition-related problems, chronic disease management, management of nutrition support, to meet regulatory requirements, or for prevention and wellness. The RDN is an integral part of the multidisciplinary team who serves as the patient’s nutrition advocate. The RDN ensures that the patient’s nutrition needs are being met, including when nutrition support (enteral or parenteral) initiation and/or management is necessary, during patient care, clinic visits, and unit/clinic rounds.

The RDN is an integral part of the multidisciplinary team, is involved in the education of physicians and other health professionals and contributes to the development and revision of organizational policies and guidelines. The RDN maintains professional competency and skills required for professional practice.

Primary Responsibilities:

 Memorial Hospital (MH):

1. Use Malnutrition Screening Tool (MST) to screen patients on the inpatient unit
2. Perform routine clinical duties such as nutritional assessment, evaluation of inpatients with weight loss, appetite changes and evaluation of appropriateness of diet orders.
3. Participates in Swing Bed Care Plans
4. Provides support as needed when MH experiences surveys by The Joint Commission, IDPH or other regulatory agencies.
5. Monitors tube feeding formulary and protocol.
6. Monitors TPN formulary and protocol in conjunction with Pharmacy.
7. Responsible for gathering data and evaluation of patients regarding nutritional status and notification of physician as necessary to facilitate patient therapy.
8. Instructs inpatients and/or support person regarding specialty diets as requested by the physician.

Health and Wellness Center and Rural Site Locations:

1. Provides appropriate nutrition therapy / education in the outpatient setting based on physician referral
2. Instructs classes in the Health and Wellness Kitchen
3. Empowered to start new programs and classes within the Health & Wellness Center to meet the needs of the community and improve health

Hancock County Senior Services (HCSS):

1. The dietitian shall be licensed under the Dietitian Nutritionist Practice Act [225 ILCS 30].
2. Job responsibilities shall include, but not be limited to, consultation and training in all food service procedures such as menu planning and review, food preparation, food storage, food service, safety, sanitation and management of therapeutic diets.
3. The dietitian shall come on-site at least twice per quarter for a period of not less than a cumulative total of eight hours

Required Qualifications

1. Bachelor’s Degree with a major in food and nutrition.
2. Registered with the American Dietetic Association or within 3 months of employment.
3. Illinois licensure (L.D.) or within 3 months of employment.
4. Minimum of one year experience in the acute hospital setting and one year in the long-term care setting preferred.