Job Responsibilities
I have been in my place of employment 32 years. As a dietitian,
my responsibilities include, nutrition counseling, assessment of
nutrition needs, evaluating and implementing appropriate Medical
Nutrition Therapy, Total Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition to
patients/clients in critical care and surgery service. I am also
responsible for Quality improvement in my area, I precept,
medical and surgical residents,dietetic interns and new hires. My
job is full time > 60% is patient care, the other 40% in teaching
etc.
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Job Requirements
For my job it requires and BS or higher degree, followed by an
accredited internship. Registration Test and in our state
licensure. There is chemistry, biochemistry, nutrition
biochemistry, biology, anatomy, physiology, microbiology, math,
diet therapy, Foods and Nutrition courses, plus the usual
requirements set out by a bachelor or masters program. Depending
on the University will depend on how easy to get classes. Most of
the core curriculum for the major are easy to get as they are
specific and the numbers of individuals taking courses are
smaller. But the base science and routine courses such as
literature may be difficult as larger numbers are vieing for
them. My suggestion is to take the prep courses at community or
Junior college level and transfer to major university as junior
and you should not have issues.. Workload on any college level is
heavy and each professor only cares about their area, so when
planning programs keep that in mind, spread out the courses so
they are more manageable.The concept is to succeed not burn out.
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Uppers
For me my work is ministry therefore it brings a great deal of satisfaction. I
am working as a team player with great nurses, pharmacists, physicians,
chaplains, social workers to bring a plan of care together. It is challenging and
rewarding.I work with a diverse group of coworkers from my tenure down to entry
level. Many of the new hires I actually precepted as interns to see them grow and
mature in the career is a plus. Being part of a system that promotes core values
of excellence, compassion,respect, justice and stewardship, all things I value.We
truly are a family. We have Magnet status so we get good nursing.
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Downers
Sometimes as an exempt employee you have to work longer hours to
get the job done. We are linear and do not have a clinical ladder
as such. There is frustration when some of the team do not read
and acknowledge your contribution and recommendations. No job
sharing in our department.
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Lifestyle
This position is great for single, married or otherwise. Hours are flexible to a
point. Being in a professional field if you need to be away, they accomodate and
you can make up on another day. We have young women with families that are able
to balance work with families. In the career in general, it is wide open for
opportunities allowing flexibility for family life.
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Compensation
Entry level out of internship is approx $20.00 per hour. The
benefits are good, retirement, 403B(Pretax) with match by
employer up to 3%, Health care, 2 weeks vacation to start(PTO)
family leave, Health care reimbursement(pretax)child care
reimbursement(pretax)We have a child care center on
campus.Wellness Center.
After 5 years, vacation increases salary increase by merit and
living costs. Vestiture
At my tenure, I am at the top level, approx $32-35/hr, 5 weeks
vacation. Raises are pure merit and given in lump sum amt.
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Advice to Jobseekers
It is a challenging ever changing field, we keep pace with
cutting edge evidence based Medical Nutrition therapy. If you are
creative you can make a job to fit your lifestyle. You will find
some areas where jobs are hard to find in hospitals as people
tend to stay in one place. Advanced degrees available, Growth
opportunity, For my specific position I tell interns to give
themselves three years in the field looking and working in all
aspects before narrowing their field of practice,
For nutrition support you need about three years experience just
to deal with the think on your feet style of the business, and
enough confidence in your knowledge to do so.
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