Job Responsibilities
Monitoring labs, making recommendations, transcribing for dosing
changes per approved protocols as an agent of physician. 8 - 12
hours per week
Nutrition assessments and check up- ongoing evaluations of
patient from top to bottom to prevent, slow-down or mitigate the
progression of chronic disease (s.) 8 hours per week
Communicate referrals with other healthcare professionals. 2 hours
per month
Collabrate with team members. Ongoing
Responsisible for fielding in coming phone calls, filing notes in
chart, copying handouts, designing educational board or patient
learning activitiies. 1 hour per day.
Consult with patient and encourage adoption of doable tasks to
help patient achieve goals to improve quality of life. Promote
fluid homeostatsis. Monitor for potential food drug interactions.
Obtain labs in dialysis target ranges as well as KDOQI
guidelines. Document interventions on electronic chart using pc.
16 hours
Tracking and trending effectiveness of interventions using
statistical quantitative tools. 8 hours per month
Educate staff on nutrition related issues. 2 hours per month.
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Job Requirements
One has to have a bachelor of science or higher to be a dietitian.
Successful graduation from a accredited four year didactic program
or graduation from master prepared program allows one to sit for
the national registration exam as a dietitian. One needs
competency in science, math, oral and written communication skills
as well as psycho-social skills to be effective as a dietitian.
Obtaining a degree in dietetics is modestly rigorous and requires
one to be self-organizing and have effective time management
skills. Work load is moderately heavy. It is possible to work
about twenty hours a week, carry sixteen hours and maintain a B
average. The student / teacher ratio is about 11 -15 students to a
teacher. One has to be aware of the progression of courses as some
are only offered only once a year. Professors are bright and
dedicated professionals.
This registration exam is externally validated. One obtains
registration as a dietitian upon successful passing the
registration exam. Upon passing the exam you have an annual
registration fee of ~ $25. One maintains competency by ongoing
continuing professional education based on self??determined portfolio.
Federal law mandates one year clinical experience before working
as renal dietitian.
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Uppers
Working with patients.
Life longing learning.
Diversity within dietitian realm.
Learning about nutrition and other exciting info.
Working with fellow dietitians and other health care professionals. Working with
fellows, interns and others who are excited about entering their field.
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Downers
Highly educated professional and underpaid in the healthcare
community.
Working in a mainly female dominated profession and dealing with
fluxes in temperament due to changes in hormones.
Risks associated with working with blood. Potential exposure for
blood borne pathogens.
Medication and food insecurity for patients.
Cost of maintaining membership and obtaining professional education.
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Lifestyle
Unfortunately, the outlook is growth and more growth due to the
USA propensity to a sedenatary life style plus supersize portions
resulting in an increased incidence of chronic disease such as
obesity, diabetes and hypertension.
One either loves your role as renal dietitian or hates it. If you
like it stay with it and you will be amazed at your growth.
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Compensation
No Bonuses or stock options. One can participate in employer
matching 401 K plan up to a certain percentage.
Salary range ~ 30K to 64 K
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Advice to Jobseekers
Unfortunately, the outlook is growth and more growth due to the
USA propensity to a sedenatary life style plus supersize portions
resulting in an increased incidence of chronic disease such as
obesity, diabetes and hypertension.
One either loves your role as renal dietitian or hates it. If you
like it stay with it and you will be amazed at your growth.
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