Job Summary:

In accordance with the Purpose, Vision, Values and Coast Salish Teachings, and strategic direction of PHSA, safety, including both patient and employee safety, is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at PHSA. As such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position.

Within the context of a patient-centred care model and in accordance with established standards of professional practice, and the vision, mission and values of the respective Agency the dietitian provides clinical nutrition services through the assessment, planning, implementation and outcome evaluation of nutritional goals and care plans.   Within an interprofessional environment collaborates with members of the health care team; provides clinical education to health care professionals and students and participates in nutrition and/or program based research, quality improvement and risk management projects.

Duties/Accountabilities:

1. Conducts nutrition screening and assessment of patients/clients/residents utilizing established standards and guidelines, performs physical nutrition assessments such as subjective global assessment, and identifies and obtains relevant data.  

2. Develops and implements patient/client/resident-centred nutritional goals and care plans, based on assessment and utilizing appropriate standards as set by the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC, and incorporating individual patient/client/resident’s needs e.g. cultural, religious, learning, social, and economic factors.  Provides recommendations based on assessment and treatment modalities to health care team regarding nutrition support regime (oral and/or enteral).

3. Monitors patients/clients/residents to determine if the nutrition care plan is meeting the established nutritional goals such as promotion of optimal health, growth and development.  Consults with the patient/client/resident, families and/or caregivers, the physician, and other health care team members regarding the patient/client/resident’s response to the nutrition care plan and adjusts diet orders and nutrition support regime as required.

4. Documents nutrition assessments, care plans and recommendations at each stage of the nutrition care process according to established format, policy, timelines and legal requirements in the health care record and/or via reports.  Maintains and updates patient/client/resident files and/or databases according to discipline and program guidelines.  Completes and maintains appropriate records for activities including workload statistics as required.
5. Attends interprofessional rounds or patient/client/resident care conferences to provide input regarding  patients’/clients’/residents’ nutritional status, response to the nutrition care plan, recommended modifications to the plan, and discharge planning needs.

6. Provides education, nutrition counselling and follow-up to individuals or groups of  patients/clients/residents, families and/or caregivers associated with the hospitals’ clinics or programs, including assessing their ongoing nutritional needs, reviewing and revising nutritional goals, facilitating changes and providing nutrition information as required.  Services are also provided to registered patients/clients/residents by telephone, e-mail, outreach or telehealth as requested.

7. Participates in the development, implementation and revision of evidence based nutrition management guidelines, protocols, education material, and education sessions for assigned  patient/client/resident population using methods such as reviewing literature.  Participates on committees, identifies community and other relevant resources and provides written recommendations as requested.

8. Ensures implementation of nutrition care plans by communicating food tolerances/preferences and diet information to designated food service staff.  Liaises with food services provider regarding patient/client/resident food service related concerns in assigned area as necessary.  Provides input into menu planning, diet writing guidelines and diet criteria based on the requirements of the patient/client/resident population.  

9. Consults and communicates with community based health professionals such as Home Care nurses, dietitians, and relevant funding organizations as appropriate to enhance and provide continuity of care for patients/clients/residents after discharge from hospital.  In the case of assigned patient/client/resident transfers, communicates with staff at other health care facilities to enhance and provide continuity of care for patients/clients/residents.  Provides nutrition information and serves as a resource person to physicians, staff and the community as needed.

10. Communicates nutrition care principles to health care professionals, colleagues, food service supervisors and students through in-service education, orientation/training sessions, rounds and continuing education programs.  

11. As a member of the nutrition and interprofessional program teams, provides input in the planning, implementation and evaluation of services, participates on relevant committees/councils and supports the efficient and effective use of resources, such as optimizing clinic schedules and the use of supplements, formulas and ward stock.

12. Participates and collaborates on approved nutrition or interdisciplinary research projects, clinical trials and surveys.  May provide input into the planning and formulation of the research question, participate in data collection, integrate and interpret data and recommend and identify implications of study findings for dietetic practice.

13. Participates in discipline or program based quality and safety initiatives by methods such as working on project teams, collecting data and monitoring variances to expected outcomes.  Makes recommendations based on documented results and implements approved changes.

14. Provides input to the Professional Practice Leader (PPL) and UBC Dietetics Program staff on the practicum component of the UBC Dietetic Internship Program for the designated patient/client/resident population, as applicable.  Participates in the development/revision of area specific intern placements for submission to PPL.  Provides input related to intern performance evaluation in accordance with established guidelines.


15. Provides input on strategic and program planning initiatives at the discipline and program level.  Keeps PPL and Program Manager/Director or designate aware of new initiatives or changes that may impact area.

16. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education, Training and Experience

• Current full registration as a Dietitian with the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC.
• Graduate of an accredited Dietetic Internship Program, or equivalent education, training and experience as approved by the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC.   
• Registration with the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC with Restricted Activity A.
• Eligible for registration with College of Health and Care Professionals of BC with Restricted Activity B and C.
• One year recent related experience working with the designated patient/client/resident population in the relevant clinical services area within BC Children’s Hospital and BC Women’s Hospital and Health Centre or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Broad knowledge of clinical dietetic theory and practice within a patient/client/resident/family centered model of care for designated patient/client/resident population.  
• Broad knowledge of the standards of practice established by the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC.
• Broad knowledge of normal nutrition and health promotion/disease prevention strategies to improve the health of designated patient/client/resident population.
• Broad knowledge of nutrition management principles for acute and chronic disease states and clinical conditions relating to the designated patient/client/resident population.
• Broad knowledge of enteral nutrition as appropriate for designated patient/client/resident population.
• Broad knowledge of pediatric feeding, including normal infant feeding practices and breast feeding promotion.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, implement and monitor nutrition care plans.  
• Broad knowledge of research process and methodology.
• Effective interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills with patients/clients/residents, families and staff.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and effectively in an interprofessional environment.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, organize and prioritize workload.
• Demonstrated ability to counsel and teach in individual and group settings.
• Demonstrated ability to problem-solve and think critically.
• Demonstrated skill and ability to operate related equipment and techniques appropriate to clinical areas.
• Basic computer literacy to operate a personal computer, word processing applications and patient care information system.
• Physical ability to perform duties of the position.