Clinical Nutrition Manager

Job Description

Description

Become part of an inclusive organization with over 40,000 diverse employees, whose mission is to improve the health and well-being of the unique communities we serve.

Summary:
The Clinical Nutrition Manager plans, schedules, coordinates, and supervises the work operations of the clinical nutrition staff. Primary responsibilities include assigning work to and supervising clinical dietitians, dietetic technicians, and dietetic assistants developing standards and monitoring of clinical dietetics performance for safety and efficacy and evidence based practice and to meet accreditation requirements performing duties in support of and in compliance with quality assurance and performance improvement plans establishing a framework to collect and publish clinical outcomes research coordinating and providing nutrition care to research subjects reviewing and updating policies and procedures providing input into the budgeting process and being held accountable for meeting budget targets recruiting, hiring, and orienting staff interacting with hospital and department leadership, professional and frontline staff and maintaining professional competency and skills required for professional practice.

Responsibilities:
1. Business and Quality Integration- Assists in budget planning for area of responsibility, setting targets and objectives. Assesses, designs, implements, evaluates and creates/updates nutrition care policies and procedures for area of responsibility to achieve cost containment and improved patient outcomes. Monitors clinical outcomes and adjusts processes to ensure evidence-based practices and improve employee and patient satisfaction. Utilizes an organizationally approved nutrition care manual and evidence analysis library source. Establishes institution-specific nutrition practice guidelines in area of practice. Keeps abreast of new developments and implements new clinical practices as appropriate. Develops, initiates, and monitors quality initiatives and patient safety practices in accordance with the Joint Commission and other accrediting organizations. Assists in achieving compliance with regulatory agency standards, including state and federal standards. Creates and implements an area specific strategic plan synchronous with the overarching Clinical Nutrition department's and the Food and Nutrition department's objectives and organizational mission/vision that positions dietitians and dietetic technicians into key roles as providers of medical nutrition therapy, resulting in high quality, high values, and cost-effective patient care. Establishes and integrates department goals with hospital-wide annual goals and visions to provide optimal nutrition care. Monitors and integrates technological advances that enhance efficiency as appropriate.
2. Clinical Nutrition Operations- Manage daily functions of assigned area in compliance with guidelines established by UNC Health Care, the Joint Commission, and other accrediting and regulatory agencies, e.g., areas may include, Nutrition/Formula Room, Research Kitchen, Acute Care Clinical Team, Outpatient Clinical Team, etc. Directs the provision of medical nutrition therapy and the nutrition care process by supervising the activities of clinical dietitians, dietetic technicians, and clerical staff including nutrition screening, assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring and evaluation, education, and menu processing according to established departmental policies. Schedules clinical nutrition staff according to patient/client needs and budget allocation. Implements and maintains cost control procedures, adhering to budget constraints while ensuring quality service. Addresses questions and concerns of patients and families, community members, and health professionals in accordance with evidence-based nutrition practice and critical thinking and assessment skills. Demonstrates accountability for the proper use of patients? protected health information and adherence to institutional safety practices.
3. Human Resource Management- Recruits, interviews, hires, and facilitates training of new employees to meet department staffing needs. Manages, disciplines, and evaluates the performance of assigned department personnel based on job requirements and core competencies assigned to the job. Serves as a mentor to facilitate professional growth and job satisfaction of employees. Provides or facilitates continuing education and training opportunities for clinical nutrition staff. Resolves conflicts using constructive coaching techniques while providing employees with feedback that is timely, clear, and appropriate. Communicates responsibly and professionally with employees and responds to needs in a timely manner. Establishes an ongoing means of communication with staff.
4. Professional Development- Maintains dietetic registration and continuing education requirements. Develops and implements an individualized portfolio plan for professional growth and development including participation in professional organizations and activities, workshops, seminars, and staff development programs.
5. Professional Interface- Interacts with hospital administration, medical, nursing and allied health professionals, and foodservice staff to promote interdisciplinary communication and cooperation and to ensure patient?s nutritional needs are met. Attends and participates in interdisciplinary teams and committees. Coordinates schedules and serves as a preceptor for dietetics interns and students. Coordinates staff resources to provide community events and nutrition programs. Collaborates with corporate teams, state and national healthcare professionals, and professional organizations via information exchange, benchmarking tools, and/or attendance at local, state, and national conferences.
6. Research- Evaluates nutrition care protocols using principles of evidence-based practice to establish and/or improve nutrition practice guidelines. Mentors department staff in presenting and/or publishing articles, abstracts, or results of research studies in professional journals or at professional meetings. Reviews current literature regularly to ensure the most recent advancements in nutrition care are incorporated into nutrition practices and protocols. Collaborates with investigators in the planning and implementation of research studies may include reviewing relevant literature, assisting with grant proposal writing, designing the dietary/nutritional component of research protocols, and implementing diets for research participants consistent with protocol constraints, general nutrition principles, and needs of the subject. Plans and calculates research diets develops and tests recipes to meet dietary specifications of research protocol, as needed. Develops and implements instruments and procedures for collecting dietary intake and other nutrition-related data, such as body composition or indirect calorimetry, energy expenditure, and other data. Directs and monitors the production and service of all research diets, if relevant to research study. Analyzes, interprets, and summarizes diet records and other research data. Develops and conducts independent nutrition projects and research. Writes abstracts and papers for publication presents results in the form of abstracts, oral presentations, and manuscripts. Orients and contributes to the development of nursing staff, physicians, clinical investigators, and study staff relating to dietary aspects of clinical research.

Other Information

Other information:
Education Requirements:
● Bachelor’s degree in Food and Nutrition, Dietetics, Nutritional Sciences, Human Nutrition or related field.
● Completion of an approved undergraduate program or dietetic internship by The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) of no less than 900 hours (1200 hours for graduates of programs beginning 2012) under the supervision of a Registered Dietitian.
Licensure/Certification Requirements:
● Registered Dietitian (RD) by The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND).
● Licensed as a Dietitian/Nutritionist (LDN) by the North Carolina Board of Dietetics and Nutrition within one (1) month from date of hire.
Professional Experience Requirements:
●Five (5) years of experience in an acute care clinical environment or research setting.
● One (1) year of experience in a supervisory or lead role.
Knowledge/Skills/and Abilities Requirements:
● Comprehensive knowledge and application of medical nutrition therapy, including the nutrition care process. Advanced knowledge of human physiology, biochemistry, and metabolism as it relates to clinical nutrition status; food chemistry, nutrient composition, and dietary analysis; food production and service systems in relation to quality, nutritious, and safe food. Knowledge of principles and procedures of clinical research. Ability to organize and gather data, interpret results, and prepare reports. Skill in interpersonal communications and counseling. Competence with nutrient analysis, word processing, and spreadsheet software. Ability to communicate effectively in written, verbal, and electronic formats with patients, staff, physicians, nurses, and administrators. Ability to plan, organize, direct and evaluate the work of others. Ability to organize tasks and work independently. Demonstrated leadership and administrative experience. Proven ability in meeting and maintaining operational goals. Ability to motivate and mentor students and staff. Ability to plan, implement, and evaluate clinical experiences of students.

Job Details

Legal Employer:STATE

Entity: UNC Medical Center

Organization Unit: NFS Clinical Nutrition Support

Work Type: Full Time

Standard Hours Per Week: 40.00

Work Schedule: Day Job

Location of Job: US:NC:Chapel Hill

Exempt From Overtime: Exempt: Yes