Nutritionist

Job Title: Nutritionist

Location: Morris Cancer Center

Department Name: Radiation Oncology

Req #: 0000269034

Status: Salaried

Shift: Day

Pay Range: $53,100.00 - $66,400.00 per year

Pay Transparency:

The above reflects the anticipated annual salary range for this position if hired to work in New Jersey.

The compensation offered to the candidate selected for the position will depend on several factors, including the candidate's educational background, skills and professional experience.

Nutritionist

Summary:

Works collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team to address the unique nutritional needs of adult and pediatric oncology patients. Performs nutrition assessments, formulates nutrition diagnoses, plans and implements nutrition intervention(s), provides nutrition education, and tracks progress in attaining expected outcomes. Will be involved with clinical investigators in nutrition research as indicated.

A typical day as a Nutritionist may look like:

Clinical Duties:

• Evaluates nutrition/dietary intake for factors that affect health and nutrition risk, taking into consideration the patient’s stage in the cancer continuum (prevention, treatment, and survivorship) and/or comorbid conditions.
• Evaluates health and disease condition(s) for nutrition-related consequences including but not limited to assessment for signs and symptoms of cancer process and/or treatment related complications.
• Evaluates psychosocial, socioeconomic, functional and behavioral factors related to food access, selection, preparation, and understanding of health condition.
• Evaluates client (patient or family) knowledge, readiness to learn, and potential for behavior changes. Determines whether the intervention is being implemented as prescribed.
• Evaluates the nutritional implications of the client’s treatment plan (i.e., chemotherapy, radiation, surgery).
• Derives the nutrition diagnosis from the assessment data and prioritizes the nutrition diagnoses based on severity of problem, likelihood that nutrition intervention will impact problem, and clients’ perception of importance.
• Collaborates  with physicians, nursing, case management, and social work in order to positively influence oncology nutrition outcomes
• Designs individualized intervention plan based on best available evidence (i.e., nationally developed guidelines, published research, evidence-based libraries/databases).
• Communicates the plan of nutrition and oncology-related care with the patient and/or caregivers utilizing interpersonal, teaching, training, coaching, counseling, or technological approaches as appropriate.
• Instructs patients/families on appropriate nutrition therapy.
• Collaborates with Pharmacy staff, addressing drug and nutrient interactions, integrative medicine, and parenteral nutrition
• Applies knowledge of growth and development over the life span to provide appropriate nutrition care to adult, pediatric, and elderly cancer patients.
• Monitors progress and modifies intervention as appropriate to address individual patient/family needs.

Community/Outreach/Research:

• Consults with protocols, evidence-based national and international guidelines, best practices, and trends from accredited organizations for appropriate patient care and oncology nutrition program development.
• Promotes research through alliances and collaboration with dietetics and other professionals and organizations.
• Compiles performance improvement, and data collection for quality indicators as designated
• Supervises the overall nutritional management of research patients in diet related studies.
• Obtains nutritional history from research patients regarding food habits and preferences for guidance in planning the patient’s diet and in collecting data as needed.
• Plans, develops and implements nutrition projects for the community through services such as speaking engagements and classes.
• Develops and implements oncology-focused nutrition education sessions for patients/families and staff at the Morris Cancer Center as needed.

Other Functions & Role Specific Expectations:

• Participates and engages with activities as assigned for the Commission on Cancer (CoC) accreditation.
• Understands and complies with the rules and regulations of The Joint Commission standards, Commission on Cancer standards, and other accreditation bodies as needed.
• Follows standard practices and complies with regulatory requirements.
• Participates in managerial and administrative functions through self-directed team work.
• Participates in the teaching experience for dietetic interns, nursing, medical and clinical staff.
• Participates as a committee member in the development and updating of policies and procedures.
• Bases practice on sound scientific principles, best available research and theory. Integrates best available research with clinical/managerial expertise and client values (evidence-based practice), as needed.
• Maintains competency in nutrition therapy and demonstrates professional commitment and growth.
• Champions opportunities for self-directed continuing education.
• Carries out the principles of customer service by maintaining rapport and cooperative working relationships with patients, families, and staff.
• Encourages a spirit of cooperation and flexibility with team members.
• Keeps abreast of all pertinent federal, state and local regulations, laws and policies as they presently exist governing nutritionist practices and as they change or are modified

To be considered for this position, you must have:

• Education: minimum of Bachelors Degree in Nutrition; Masters Degree in Nutrition preferred
• Experience: minimum of 3 years experience in nutrition and nutrition counseling with an emphasis  on oncology
• Certification/Licensure: Registered with the Commission on Dietetic Registration
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: strong interpersonal and communication skills