%3Cp style=%22font-family:Arial;%22%3E%3Cspan style=%22font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:14px;%22%3E%3Cstrong%3ESolara Specialty Hospitals Harlingen%3C/strong%3E is a long-term acute care (LTAC) hospital specializing in the treatment of patients recovering from post-intensive care and medically complex conditions. Our hospital provides both intensive care and telemetry-level services, offering advanced monitoring and support for patients requiring extended medical care. With a multidisciplinary team dedicated to personalized treatment plans, we focus on helping patients achieve significant recovery and transition to the next level of care.%3C/span%3E%3C/p%3E%3Cp style=%22font-family:Arial;%22%3E%3Cspan style=%22font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:14px;%22%3E%3Cstrong%3EJob Summary%3C/strong%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/p%3E%3Cp style=%22font-family:Arial;%22%3E%3Cspan style=%22font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:14px;%22%3EResponsible for the planning and implementation of the nutrition care of the patients in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local standards and regulations, clinical guidelines, and policies and procedures. Provides oversight in coordination with the Culinary Services Manager to ensure that safe and accurate food service is provided to the patients.%26nbsp;%3C/span%3E%3C/p%3E%3Cp style=%22font-family:Arial;%22%3E%3Cspan style=%22font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:14px;%22%3E%3Cstrong%3EEssential Functions%26nbsp;%3C/strong%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/p%3E%3Cp style=%22font-family:Arial;%22%3E%3Cspan style=%22font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:14px;%22%3ELeadership%26nbsp;%3C/span%3E%3C/p%3E%3Cul%3E%3Cli style=%22font-family:Arial;%22%3E%3Cspan style=%22font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:14px;%22%3ECompletes annual competency testing and maintains professional growth and development to maintain registration and licensure/certification.%26nbsp;%3C/span%3E%3C/li%3E%3Cli style=%22font-family:Arial;%22%3E%3Cspan style=%22font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:14px;%22%3EPerforms job based on applicable federal, state, and local regulations, company policies and procedures and evidenced based clinical guidelines.%26nbsp;%3C/span%3E%3C/li%3E%3Cli style=%22font-family:Arial;%22%3E%3Cspan style=%22font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:14px;%22%3EPerforms job within defined scope of practice.%26nbsp;%3C/span%3E%3C/li%3E%3Cli style=%22font-family:Arial;%22%3E%3Cspan style=%22font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:14px;%22%3EParticipates in the planning of the department budget.%26nbsp;%3C/span%3E%3C/li%3E%3Cli style=%22font-family:Arial;%22%3E%3Cspan style=%22font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:14px;%22%3ESubmits capital budget requests to the Controller/CFO.%26nbsp;%3C/span%3E%3C/li%3E%3Cli style=%22font-family:Arial;%22%3E%3Cspan style=%22font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:14px;%22%3EParticipates in developing and implementing policies and procedures related to nutritional care of the patient.%26nbsp;%3C/span%3E%3C/li%3E%3Cli style=%22font-family:Arial;%22%3E%3Cspan style=%22font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:14px;%22%3EParticipates in the hospital’s Performance Improvement program by conducting aggregating, trending and acting on data for key clinical nutrition indicators.%26nbsp;%3C/span%3E%3C/li%3E%3Cli style=%22font-family:Arial;%22%3E%3Cspan style=%22font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:14px;%22%3EAnnual QAPI department plan is developed with mandatory components. Monthly reports are taken to hospital committees as per facility policy.%26nbsp;%3C/span%3E%3C/li%3E%3Cli style=%22font-family:Arial;%22%3E%3Cspan style=%22font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:14px;%22%3EMonitors quality assurance in the kitchen by ensuring quality measures are routinely done; spot checking logs for accuracy, ensures safe sanitary conditions in the kitchen by completing kitchen safety/sanitation audits and test tray audits per policy.%26nbsp;%3C/span%3E%3C/li%3E%3Cli style=%22font-family:Arial;%22%3E%3Cspan style=%22font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:14px;%22%3EParticipates in the survey process; instructs staff in matters of conduct and disclosure; always maintains a presence while surveyors are on site and directs the timely collection of information required by the survey team. Undertakes corrective action while survey is in progress if appropriate; works with other hospital departments to develop survey plan of correction as needed.%26nbsp;%3C/span%3E%3C/li%3E%3Cli style=%22font-family:Arial;%22%3E%3Cspan style=%22font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:14px;%22%3EServices on various committees as required by company standards, regulations, and/or appointment by immediate supervisor.%26nbsp;%3C/span%3E%3C/li%3E%3C/ul%3E%3Cp style=%22font-family:Arial;%22%3E%3Cspan style=%22font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:14px;%22%3EDirect Patient Care%26nbsp;%3C/span%3E%3C/p%3E%3Cul%3E%3Cli style=%22font-family:Arial;%22%3E%3Cspan style=%22font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:14px;%22%3EConducts initial and reassessments on all patients admitted to the hospital.%26nbsp;%3C/span%3E%3C/li%3E%3Cli style=%22font-family:Arial;%22%3E%3Cspan style=%22font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:14px;%22%3EEnsure proper completion of documentation (assessments, care plans, education, discharge planning.%26nbsp;%3C/span%3E%3C/li%3E%3Cli style=%22font-family:Arial;%22%3E%3Cspan style=%22font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:14px;%22%3EPrescribes nutrition therapy to meet estimated needs and monitors tolerance.%26nbsp;%3C/span%3E%3C/li%3E%3Cli style=%22font-family:Arial;%22%3E%3Cspan style=%22font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:14px;%22%3EProvides ongoing reassessment to ensure optimal nutrition therapy is provided.%26nbsp;%3C/span%3E%3C/li%3E%3Cli style=%22font-family:Arial;%22%3E%3Cspan style=%22font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:14px;%22%3EParticipates with Interdisciplinary Team meetings to develop, implement, and monitor nutrition care plans.%26nbsp;%3C/span%3E%3C/li%3E%3Cli style=%22font-family:Arial;%22%3E%3Cspan style=%22font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:14px;%22%3EInterviews patients, family members, legal representatives, and/or significant others, and staff to obtain diet history, food preferences, and other pertinent information needed to develop and/or update plan of care.%26nbsp;%3C/span%3E%3C/li%3E%3Cli style=%22font-family:Arial;%22%3E%3Cspan style=%22font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:14px;%22%3EAdvocates for patients to protect and promote patients’ rights and accommodate individual needs and cultural/religious preferences.%26nbsp;%3C/span%3E%3C/li%3E%3Cli style=%22font-family:Arial;%22%3E%3Cspan style=%22font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:14px;%22%3EInvolves the patient/family in planning objectives and goals for the patient.%26nbsp;%3C/span%3E%3C/li%3E%3Cli style=%22font-family:Arial;%22%3E%3Cspan style=%22font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:14px;%22%3EConducts nutrition education individually and in classes to patients, families, staff, and community as appropriate.%26nbsp;%3C/span%3E%3C/li%3E%3Cli style=%22font-family:Arial;%22%3E%3Cspan style=%22font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:14px;%22%3EConducts meal rounds to ensure that patients are receiving therapy that meets patient’s needs.%26nbsp;%3C/span%3E%3C/li%3E%3Cli style=%22font-family:Arial;%22%3E%3Cspan style=%22font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:14px;%22%3ECoordinates with Culinary Service Manager to resolve patients’ concerns or dissatisfactions with diet or meal service.%26nbsp;%3C/span%3E%3C/li%3E%3C/ul%3E%3Cp style=%22font-family:Arial;%22%3E%3Cspan style=%22font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:14px;%22%3EMenu Management (if Culinary Services Manager is not a Registered Dietitian, then RD provides the following oversight)%26nbsp;%3C/span%3E%3C/p%3E%3Cul%3E%3Cli style=%22font-family:Arial;%22%3E%3Cspan style=%22font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:14px;%22%3EMonitors Culinary Services Manger’s oversight of the menu management process.%26nbsp;%3C/span%3E%3C/li%3E%3Cli style=%22font-family:Arial;%22%3E%3Cspan style=%22font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:14px;%22%3EReviews and approves all patient menus in the facility; must approve any substitutions provided to patients.%26nbsp;%3C/span%3E%3C/li%3E%3Cli style=%22font-family:Arial;%22%3E%3Cspan style=%22font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:14px;%22%3EReviews and approves all nutritional data posted in the café.%26nbsp;%3C/span%3E%3C/li%3E%3Cli style=%22font-family:Arial;%22%3E%3Cspan style=%22font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:14px;%22%3EProvides oversight for the transcription of diet orders in the department to ensure accuracy.%26nbsp;%3C/span%3E%3C/li%3E%3Cli style=%22font-family:Arial;%22%3E%3Cspan style=%22font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:14px;%22%3EEnsures all patient snack orders are checked against the diet order and distributed to patients timely.%26nbsp;%3C/span%3E%3C/li%3E%3Cli style=%22font-family:Arial;%22%3E%3Cspan style=%22font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:14px;%22%3EProvides oversight as needed to assure proper ordering of food and supplies to ensure proper execution of diets and snacks.%26nbsp;%3C/span%3E%3C/li%3E%3Cli style=%22font-family:Arial;%22%3E%3Cspan style=%22font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:14px;%22%3EProvides training to Manager and staff as needed on therapeutic diets and menus, food allergens, or other related topics.%26nbsp;%3C/span%3E%3C/li%3E%3C/ul%3E%3Cp style=%22font-family:Arial;%22%3E%3Cspan style=%22font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:14px;%22%3EOther%26nbsp;%3C/span%3E%3C/p%3E%3Cul%3E%3Cli style=%22font-family:Arial;%22%3E%3Cspan style=%22font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:14px;%22%3EWorks cooperatively as a team member with co-workers in all departments of the Hospital.%3C/span%3E%3C/li%3E%3Cli style=%22font-family:Arial;%22%3E%3Cspan style=%22font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:14px;%22%3ECommunicates issues, concerns, and opportunities for improvement to immediate supervisor routinely.%3C/span%3E%3C/li%3E%3Cli style=%22font-family:Arial;%22%3E%3Cspan style=%22font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:14px;%22%3EStays abreast of federal regulations for LTAC’s and food safety, as well as state- regulations for that in which he/she works and incorporates into his/her work as needed.%3C/span%3E%3C/li%3E%3Cli style=%22font-family:Arial;%22%3E%3Cspan style=%22font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:14px;%22%3EMonitor’s industry trends, new products, current research, and new programs in foodservice and incorporates into his/her work as needed.%26nbsp;%3C/span%3E%3C/li%3E%3Cli style=%22font-family:Arial;%22%3E%3Cspan style=%22font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:14px;%22%3EDemonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and the skills necessary to provide age appropriate.%26nbsp;%3C/span%3E%3C/li%3E%3Cli style=%22font-family:Arial;%22%3E%3Cspan style=%22font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:14px;%22%3Ecare to the patient population served.%26nbsp;%3C/span%3E%3C/li%3E%3Cli style=%22font-family:Arial;%22%3E%3Cspan style=%22font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:14px;%22%3EAttends all mandatory in-services and staff meetings.%26nbsp;%3C/span%3E%3C/li%3E%3Cli style=%22font-family:Arial;%22%3E%3Cspan style=%22font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:14px;%22%3EMaintains current licensure/certification for position.%26nbsp;%3C/span%3E%3C/li%3E%3Cli style=%22font-family:Arial;%22%3E%3Cspan style=%22font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:14px;%22%3EConsistently follows departmental and hospital Health, Safety, Security and Hazardous Materials policies and procedures.%26nbsp;%3C/span%3E%3C/li%3E%3C/ul%3E%3Cp style=%22font-family:Arial;%22%3E%3Cspan style=%22font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:14px;%22%3E%3Cstrong%3EKnowledge/Skills/Abilities/Expectations%26nbsp;%3C/strong%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/p%3E%3Cul%3E%3Cli style=%22font-family:Arial;%22%3E%3Cspan style=%22font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:14px;%22%3EKnowledge of evidenced based clinical nutrition guidelines.%26nbsp;%3C/span%3E%3C/li%3E%3Cli style=%22font-family:Arial;%22%3E%3Cspan style=%22font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:14px;%22%3EAbility to be accurate, concise, and detail-oriented%26nbsp;%3C/span%3E%3C/li%3E%3Cli style=%22font-family:Arial;%22%3E%3Cspan style=%22font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:14px;%22%3EKnowledge of quantity food production, safe food preparation and handling techniques.%26nbsp;%3C/span%3E%3C/li%3E%3Cli style=%22font-family:Arial;%22%3E%3Cspan style=%22font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:14px;%22%3EBasic computer skills with working knowledge of Microsoft Office, word-processing and spreadsheet software.%26nbsp;%3C/span%3E%3C/li%3E%3Cli style=%22font-family:Arial;%22%3E%3Cspan style=%22font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:14px;%22%3EMust read, write and speak fluent English.%26nbsp;%3C/span%3E%3C/li%3E%3Cli style=%22font-family:Arial;%22%3E%3Cspan style=%22font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:14px;%22%3EMust have good and regular attendance.%26nbsp;%3C/span%3E%3C/li%3E%3Cli style=%22font-family:Arial;%22%3E%3Cspan style=%22font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:14px;%22%3EApproximate percent of time required to travel: 0%%26nbsp;%3C/span%3E%3C/li%3E%3Cli style=%22font-family:Arial;%22%3E%3Cspan style=%22font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:14px;%22%3EPerforms other related duties as assigned.%26nbsp;%3C/span%3E%3C/li%3E%3C/ul%3E
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Dietetics, Nutrition, or related field
Licenses/Certifications
- Registered Dietitian with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (www.cdmet.org)
- License and/or certification from the State Licensing Board for Dietitians
Experience
- Two years’ experience in acute care hospital preferred.
- Registered dietitians awaiting approval of State licensure/certification may practice under a Provisional Licensure if the State Licensing board allows.
- Provision dietitians must have all documentation in a medical record co-signed by a state licensed dietitian.
- Experience in acute clinical care, nutrition support, and disease-specific nutrition preferred.