The Registered Dietitian (RD/RDN) at Serenity Oaks IRF provides comprehensive medical nutrition therapy to rehabilitation inpatients, addressing nutritional status, dietary needs, and therapeutic diet management to support recovery and functional progress. The RD collaborates with the IDT — including the SLP on dysphagia diets, nursing on enteral nutrition, and physicians on nutrition orders — to ensure each patient's nutritional needs are met throughout their rehabilitation stay. This role is a key member of the CARF-accredited interdisciplinary team and contributes to QAPI and program evaluation activities.
2. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES
- Conduct nutrition assessments on admission and at regular intervals for all inpatients; screen for malnutrition, weight loss, and nutritional risk.
- Develop and implement individualized medical nutrition therapy plans in collaboration with the IDT and attending physician.
- Calculate and monitor caloric, protein, fluid, and micronutrient requirements; adjust recommendations based on clinical status.
- Collaborate with the SLP on appropriate IDDSI texture and liquid consistency levels for patients with dysphagia.
- Manage enteral and parenteral nutrition support including formula selection, rate recommendations, and monitoring.
- Review and recommend modifications to therapeutic diets (renal, cardiac, diabetic, low-sodium, texture-modified).
- Participate actively in weekly IDT meetings; communicate nutrition assessment findings and recommendations.
- Provide patient and family education on therapeutic diets, nutrition principles, and home dietary management.
- Document nutrition assessments, care plans, and progress notes accurately and timely in the EHR.
- Consult with the Food Service Director on menu planning, therapeutic diet production, and food safety.
- Monitor laboratory nutrition markers including albumin, prealbumin, BMP, and CBC; communicate significant findings to the physician.
- Participate in CARF program evaluation and nutrition quality improvement activities.
- Maintain CDR RD/RDN registration and required continuing education units.
3. EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
- Required: Bachelor's degree or higher in Dietetics, Nutrition, or Food and Nutrition Sciences from a CADE/ACEND-accredited program.
- Required: Completion of ACEND-accredited dietetic internship.
- Required: Successful completion of CDR Registration Examination for Dietitians.
- Preferred: One (1) or more years of clinical dietetics experience in an acute care, rehabilitation, or post-acute setting.
4. LICENSURE, CERTIFICATION & REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
- Required: Current Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credential from the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).
- Required: Current Louisiana Dietitian/Nutritionist license issued by the Louisiana Board of Examiners in Dietetics and Nutrition (LBEDN).
- Required: Current BLS/CPR certification (AHA or Red Cross) preferred.
- Preferred: Board Certified Specialist in Oncology Nutrition (CSO) or Gerontological Nutrition (CSG) — CDR.
- Required: Louisiana dietitian license verified through LBEDN prior to and throughout employment.
5. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
- Clinical expertise in medical nutrition therapy for neurological, orthopedic, and medically complex rehabilitation patients.
- Knowledge of IDDSI dysphagia diet framework and collaboration with SLP on modified texture diets.
- Proficiency in enteral and parenteral nutrition management.
- Knowledge of therapeutic diet prescriptions and modification for common rehabilitation comorbidities.
- Strong IDT communication and interdisciplinary collaboration skills.
- Proficiency with EHR nutrition documentation.
- Knowledge of food safety, HACCP principles, and therapeutic diet production in healthcare settings.
Commitment to evidence-based, patient-centered nutrition practice.
License/Certification:
- Registered Dietitian / RD Nutritionist credential (Required)
- LA Dietitian/Nutritionist license issued by the LBEDN (Required)
Work Location: In person
