Registered Dietitian

POSITION TITLE: Registered Dietitian
DEPARTMENT: Health & Human Services - Clinic
LOCATION: Longview, WA
REPORTS TO: Medical Clinic Manager
SCHEDULE: Full-time
WAGE RANGE: $38.45 - $46.10 per hour

CLOSING DATE: Open Until Filled

***If you are an American Indian/Alaska Native and/or a Veteran and would like this to be considered preference in hiring, please upload documentation with your resume and cover letter. Acceptable documentation includes Tribal Enrollment card, a letter from your Tribe stating your enrollment, or BIA 4432 and/or DD214.***

Position Summary:

This position works with medical team to improve the health and physical conditions of patients through the use of nutritional education and support. This position will assess patients' nutrition status and goals to maintain a balanced diet. This position oversees the Community Garden to ensure access to fresh fruits and vegetable to support traditional food and food sovereignty. This position honors and represents the mission, vision, values of CIT and of the HHS department.

This list of duties and responsibilities is illustrative only of the tasks performed by this position and is not all-inclusive.

***If you are an American Indian/Alaska Native and/or a Veteran and would like this to be considered preference in hiring, please upload documentation with your resume and cover letter. Acceptable documentation includes Tribal Enrollment card, a letter from your Tribe stating your enrollment, or BIA 4432 and/or DD214.***

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Assesses patients' nutritional and health needs; counsels patients on nutrition issues and healthy eating habits.
• Develops meal and nutrition plans in consideration of patient preferences and patient access to resources.
• Evaluates the effects of meal plans and modifies the plans as needed.
• Review menu plans and makes recommendations to optimize nutritional value of food in the elder's meals and individual consultations.
• Creates educational materials about healthy food choices for distribution.
• Documents patients' progress and completes all required patient documentation in electronic health systems.
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge in latest food and nutritional science by conducting research, attending seminars, educational workshops, classes and conferences; reviewing professional publications; establishing networks; participating in professional societies; conferring with representatives of contracting agencies and related organizations.
• Promotes better health by developing and conducting wellness, nutrition and healthy lifestyle programs and events activities and events for the American Indian / Alaska Native population, with specific care to include practices and customs of Northwest Indian Tribes.
• Presents wellness, nutrition and healthy lifestyle programs and events for CIT HHS at local and regional meetings; collaborates with surrounding agencies and other HHS departments to build partnerships in supporting program needs and initiatives.
• Works with a multi-disciplinary team to develop, implement and maintain a comprehensive clinical and community-based nutrition program.
• Maintains positive relations with community members and agencies by providing educational workshops and seminars related to the needs of CIT.
• Conducts community needs assessment.
• Keeps leadership and other departments informed of status of patients and/or community garden program activities by attending meetings and submitting performance and budget reports.
• Adapts to changes in safety protocols and procedures.
• Contributes to a team effort and accomplishes related results as required.
• Oversees the Community Garden through operational oversight and staff supervision.
• Oversees the management and reporting, communications and related procedures, internal and external partner relationships, and short- and long-term planning of the Community Garden.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of traditional form of government and tribal customs and traditions.
• Knowledge of food and nutrition principles, concepts, and methodology to apply sound nutrition practices to patient diets.
• Knowledge of training, education principles and techniques applicable to teaching nutrition to the patients served.
• Knowledge of eating and dietary habits of American Indian / Alaska Native populations.
• Skill in treating patients with tact, courtesy, and respect.
• Skill in preparing, reviewing, and analyzing operational and financial reports.
• Skill in supervising, training, and evaluating assigned staff.
• Skill in making effective decisions in emergency situations.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment.
• Ability to establish and maintain professional relationships with individuals of varying social and cultural backgrounds and with co-workers at all levels.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in nutrition, dietetics, food service management, clinical nutrition or related field.
• Must be certified as a registered dietician (RD).
• Two years' work experience providing patient nutrition support in a clinical setting.
• Two years' supervisory experience preferred.
• Valid driver's license is required.
• Experience working within American Indian and/or Alaska Native communities preferred.
• Must be able to successfully pass a background screening / investigation according to the established requirements below.

Tribal preference in accordance with Cowlitz Indian Tribe Code and CIT Employee Policies and Procedures Handbook shall apply to all positions. All positions are required to adhere to CIT's established safety policies regarding vaccine requirements and personal protective equipment (PPE).

Background Investigation Requirements:

• Pre-employment drug screen.
• Reference checks, education and employment verification.
• Federal, state, and/or tribal criminal history and sanction checks including fingerprint verification.
• Has not been found guilty of, charged with, received a deferred sentence, received a conditional discharge of, or entered a plea of not contest to, or entered a plea of guilty to any one felony or misdemeanor crimes of violence, sexual assault, molestation, exploitation or sexual contact; prostitution; or crimes committed against person(s) or children.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly is required to sit; stand; walk; and reach with hands and arms; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The position requires occasional lifting of up to 20 lbs.

Work Environment:

Work is performed in a typical interior/office or clinic environment. Employee may be exposed to unpleasant odors, bodily fluids, and infectious disease and frequent exposure to heat, cold, fumes and steam. Situations occur where PPE (personal protective equipment) is needed. Work may involve working with hostile, violent or offensive individuals. Travel, evening and/or weekend work is occasionally required. Tight time constraints and multiple demands are common.