Registered Dietitian (Part-Time) - Prototypes Pasadena Mental Health Clinic

HealthRIGHT 360 gives hope, builds health, and changes lives for people in need by providing comprehensive, integrated, compassionate care that includes primary medical care, mental health services, and substance use disorder treatment.

Benefits and perks:

• Eligibility for medical insurance and flexible spending accounts for yourself and eligible dependents.
• Paid Time Off (PTO) earned on an accrual, pro-rata basis.
• Company-paid holidays on a pro-rata basis.
• Eligibility for company-paid benefits such as Employee assistance program (EAP), and access to wide range of discounts and perks through BenefitHub.

Job Overview
 
Prototypes Pasadena is a community-based behavioral health clinic that contracts with Federal, State, and local governments to provide high-quality behavioral healthcare to lower income populations in the Pasadena area. 

Provides nutrition consultation for patients who have been evaluated as at-risk for nutrition, or referred for nutrition-related problems, chronic disease management, as well as prevention and wellness. Works as part of a multidisciplinary team to identify, educate, and assist patients with attaining goals related to healthy eating habits, nutrition knowledge, eligibility and access to nutrition programs in the state and county, and health outcomes for chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, oral care, substance use disorders, mental health, obesity, and more. Performs nutrition assessments, developing and implementing evidence-based nutrition interventions, and monitoring and evaluating patients progress (nutrition care process). 

Key Responsibilities

Nutrition Responsibilities: Conducts nutrition assessments when warranted by a patient’s needs or conditions. Utilizes a nutrition focused physical exam to assess malnutrition, nutrient deficiencies, as well as dietary history, medial history, BMI, and clinical data. Meets regularly with each patient as needed. Reviews dietary intake for factors that affect health conditions and nutritional risk. Prioritizes the relative importance of nutrition problems for optimal patient health, recovery from illness, management of chronic disease, or disease prevention. Formulates a plan of action to address nutritional risks and problems using evidence-based nutrition practice guidelines. Assesses education needs and provides nutrition counseling based on individual needs, including nutrient requirements, knowledge and abilities, and medical, economic and social situations, as well as religious, cultural, and ethnic considerations. Monitors and evaluates patients nutrition needs, measures outcomes, and effectiveness of plan, and makes adjustments as needed.

Nutrition Education: Researches, recommends, and prepares workshops for various disease processes such as diabetes, hypertension, managing asthma, substance use disorder, healthy weight, and wellness. Provides health education sessions with individual patients, families, and groups as needed. Educates patients and staff on nutrition access programs (ie. WIC, CalFRESH, food pantries, etc.), and resources in the community for access to healthy food. Researches, recommends, or develops patient education materials on nutrition for chronic disease management as well as wellness and prevention.

Care Coordination Responsibilities: Works in coordination with the multidisciplinary team (medical, dental, mental health, psychiatry, addiction medicine, and case managers) to identify and address nutritional needs of patients. Participates in case conferencing at provider meetings, as well as the integration meeting, to ensure quality health outcomes.

Performance and Quality Improvement Responsibilities: Assists in goal setting and performance improvement for health outcomes impacted by nutrition. Active participant in Quality Improvement activities and may act as change champion or lead. Identifies and engages patients with chronic conditions that can benefit from nutrition interventions to impact overall health goals. In conjunction with dental, medical, and addiction medicine directors, is responsible for working with external stakeholders on audits, reviews, or surveys and supports internal efforts as appropriate.

Administrative and Documentation Responsibilities: Maintains accurate records in eClinicalWorks. Develops and maintains up to date nutrition materials for patient education. Updates clinical staff on nutrition guidelines and best practices as needed. Attends weekly internal staff meetings and other departmental meetings as required. Meets productivity and compliance guidelines of the program. Generates reports as directed.

And, other duties as assigned. 

Education and Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• BA or equivalent degree.
• Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) or degree in a related field.
• Comprehensive knowledge of evidence-based nutrition therapy, and techniques for effective behavior change.
• 1-2 years clinical experience desired.
• Demonstrated ability to interface well with diverse, disadvantaged populations with multiple barriers to educational and vocational success, including low literacy, learning disabilities, physical disabilities, history of incarceration, and impaired cognitive functioning.
• Proven ability to build strong relationships with colleagues, community organizations, and the broader community.
• Knowledge of nutrition programs, resources, and assistance.
• Outstanding ability to follow-through and create organization systems.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, planning and time management skills.
• High degree of creative energy and the ability to adapt easily to change.
• Mastery of MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Internet applications.
• Able to quickly learn new computer software.
• Energetic and enthusiastic.
• Experience teaching adults and/or facilitating workshops preferred.