WHAT IS A DIETITIAN ?

Reporting to the Program Manager, as a member of the patient program, the Dietician is responsible for the nutritional management of patients working collaboratively using a family-centered approach. This includes comprehensive assessment of nutritional status, implementation and management of nutrition care plans, counseling, and teaching. The focus of this position is to support patients and their families on various therapeutic programs through nutritional intervention.

Need-to-Know Overview of a Dietitian

1. Dietitian Duties and Responsibilities

  • Provide dietician counseling either in home or over the phone to patients
  • Management of the assigned projects and/or cases; participate in the implementation of new programs
  • Interacting with patients and healthcare professionals at national level via telephone or in home support
  • Current assistance lines focus on medical information and disease management including but not limited to adherence, utilization, educational information on specific products/devices/delivery methods
  • Administer and adhere to case-management protocols, including clinical monitoring, data collection, on-going patient follow-up, adherence, therapy disruption/discontinuation monitoring, adverse event reporting and liaison with primary healthcare providers
  • All patient programs are based on casework methods and include a significant amount of out-bound calls and documentation of each activity in program specific database as required
  • Participate and attend on-going refresher training and in specialized training courses for specific products or programs as deemed appropriate by the manager
  • Support and collaborate with other staff in the development & implementation of disease management programs including determine and clarify clinical requirements
  • Write texts, manuals or patient pamphlets; and develop compliance program parameters, needs assessments and protocols
  • Provide feedback regarding current protocols, database, processes, inter-departmental relationships
  • Clear communication to manager, team, and program trained colleagues regarding the management of cases during foreseen absences.
  • With the managers, participate in the training process of new caseworkers, including but not limited to shadowing & call monitoring.
  • Be available on call after hours, for periodic telephone consultation as needed by program

2. Dietitian Skills, Experience, Qualifications

  • Successful completion of a Bachelors of Science degree in Foods and Nutrition.
  • Current membership with the Order of Dieticians in the current province.
  • Experience as a Registered Dietician within a Hospital, Clinical or Pharmaceutical setting an asset;
  • Knowledge of Metabolic and Genetic Disorders.
  • Experience in a Pediatric environment an asset;
  • Fluently bilingual in speaking and writing of the French and English language.
  • Demonstrated knowledge, skills, and abilities in health-teaching, dietetic assessment, treatment, and counseling with pediatric patients and their families
  • Ability to  listen, understand and communicate effectively;
  • Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills,
  • Demonstrate ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary health care team;
  • Strong business acumen
  • Effective interpersonal and leadership skills
  • Effective organizational skills; attention to detail and ability to multitask
  • Ability to consistently meet deadlines
  • Ability to deal with stressful situations as they arise
  • Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
Relevant Information
What is a Registered Dietitian ?
What is a Dietary Aide ?