The Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital is a partnership between Mercy and Kindred Healthcare. The hospital provides inpatient rehabilitation services for patients recovering from strokes, brain or spinal-cord injuries, amputations, complex orthopedic injuries and other conditions. The greatest feature of the rehabilitation hospital is our dedicated team of clinicians. These rehab professionals provide the exceptional patient care for which Mercy is known, with an emphasis on improving individual functional ability and quality of life. Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital Springfield is accredited by The Joint Commission (TJC) as well as the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) for inpatient rehabilitation.

JOB SUMMARY:

Plans and delivers nutritional care to patients according to the physicians' diagnoses. Performs as a member of the multidisciplinary care team. Screens newly admitted patients to identify those at nutritional risk.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Assesses patients' nutritional status according to established standards. Performs nutritional screening within required timeframes.
• Obtains necessary information from the medical record to determine patient's nutritional status; develops nutritional care plans for patients in the rehabilitation setting.
• Assures that patient's cultural, religious, and ethnic food preferences are honored, when possible, unless contraindicated.
• Assures that food and nutrition products are stored under proper conditions of sanitation, temperature, light, moisture, ventilation and security.
• Evaluates the results of nutritional intervention on the patient's nutritional status to determine the need to revise the nutritional care plan.
• Improves patient's nutritional status by consulting with physician on appropriate nutritional interventions.
• Assists in developing and implementing patient nutrition care programs and ensures consistency of programs. Assists in the development and implementing of patient nutritional menus.
• Interacts professionally with patient/family. Provides nutritional teaching and counseling to patient/family in making desired changes in eating habits. Assesses patient's ability to learn.
• Performs all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors.
• Provides food-drug interrelationship information to physician.
• Assists in orienting and in servicing new employees to department.
• Maintains a good working relationship both within the department and with other departments.
• Documentation meets current standards and policies. Documents problems, goals, etc on the Interdisciplinary Care Plan on admission, updates as appropriate.
• Conducts in-service as requested to hospital staff and the community.
• Treats patients and their families with respect and dignity.
• Demonstrates an ability to be flexible, organized and function under stressful situations.
• Assesses patients' nutritional status according to established standards.
• Obtains necessary information from the medical record to determine patient's nutritional status.
• Develops nutritional care plans for patients in the rehabilitation setting.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor's degree in course work approved by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE) of the American Dietetic Association (ADA) or a post Bachelor's Certificate in Dietetics.
• State licensure/certification required if required by state.
• Registered Dietician required.
• Previous experience in acute care setting preferred.
• Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills.