Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

Key Responsibilities :

Nutritional Care and Assessment :

Conduct comprehensive nutritional assessments for all new and existing residents.

Monitor residents with significant weight changes, wounds, pressure injuries, malnutrition, and other high-risk nutritional needs.

Assess residents' medical history, lab values, medications, food and fluid intake, and potential swallowing difficulties (dysphagia).

Care Planning and Intervention :

Develop and implement individualized nutrition care plans that address each resident's specific needs, preferences, and medical conditions (e.g., diabetes, renal disease, gastrointestinal disorders).

Prescribe therapeutic diets and dietary supplements, as permitted by state law.

Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team—including physicians, nurses, speech-language pathologists, and social workers—to coordinate comprehensive patient care.

Documentation and Compliance :

Maintain accurate and detailed documentation of resident assessments, care plans, and progress in the electronic health record (EHR).

Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations concerning food and nutrition services in a long-term care setting.

Participate in care plan meetings and contribute to the Minimum Data Set (MDS) process, particularly in relation to nutritional and swallowing status.

Licensure : State licensure or certification as a Dietitian

Experience : Previous experience in a long-term care, skilled nursing, or other clinical setting is highly preferred.

Skills and Attributes :

Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills.

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Proficiency with electronic medical records (EMR) and nutrition analysis software.

Strong organizational and time-management abilities.