Oncology Nutrition Specialist

Regular, Full-Time with benefits

GENERAL SUMMARY OF DUTIES

GENERAL SUMMARY OF DUTIES:  Provides nutrition assessment, education and counseling for patients via individualized consultation and group instruction; serve as nutrition resource for patients, caregivers and staff. Develops and implements Wellness programs focusing on exercise and nutrition elements.  Develops and implements employee wellness programs with nutrition and exercise focus.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:  Reports to directly to the Vice President

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:  None

TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS:  Requires prolonged sitting, some bending, stooping and stretching.  Requires eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity sufficient to operate a keyboard, photocopier, telephone, and other office equipment.  Requires normal range of hearing and eye sight to record, prepare and communicate appropriate information.  Requires ability to walk and stand frequently.

TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS:  Work is performed in an office/clinic environment with occasional evening or weekend work.  Environment can be highly stressful at times.  Interaction with others is constant and interruptive.  Work may be repetitious at times with occasional exposure to communicable diseases and other conditions in a clinic environment.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:  (This list may not include all of the duties assigned.)

  1. Provides assessment of patients’ nutritional status, food intake patterns, activity and lifestyle factors impacting health maintenance and disease management.
  2. Provides counseling to address disease and treatment-related side effects/symptoms and to optimize energy levels and recovery.
  3. Provides guidance on nutrition interventions that address current and anticipated symptoms according to patient’s treatment care plan.
  4. Evaluates over-the-counter dietary supplements and botanicals to determine effects on cancer and/or cancer treatment or symptom management.
  5. Develops and facilitates patient, community and professional-level classes, lectures and workshops.
  6. Provides appropriate nutrition counseling and education for patients and family members from a variety of ethnic, cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.
  7. Identifies, develops and updates nutrition-related educational materials and resources to assist patients and staff in implementing nutrition related behavioral and lifestyle changes.
  8. Participates as member of multidisciplinary patient care teams. 
  9. Integrates nutrition care with other forms of therapy provided to patients.
  10. Collaborates with other staff in the development and implementation of survivorship offerings for patients post treatment.
  11. Explores, develops and implements employee wellness programming and education offerings in collaboration with other staff.
  12. Develops and implements wellness related programs with nutrition and exercise focus.
  13. Works closely with other staff to develop programs and services
  14. Adheres to standards of practice for consultations and medical record documentation.
  15. Participates in professional development activities to keep current with health care trends and practices.
  16. Attends meetings as requested.  Participates in event planning committees.
  17. Handles confidential matters concerning clinic policies and practices in accordance with HIPAA regulations. 
  18. Performs related work as required.

PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Strong academic and applied background in clinical nutrition.  Familiarity with nutritional needs of oncology patients,   nutrition supplements and nutrition-related CAM therapies.  Strong individual and group teaching skills.  Effective written and verbal communication skills.  Organizational skills and ability to accomplish work without direct daily supervision.  Ability to participate effectively on interdisciplinary teams, department committees and projects.  Ability to establish and maintain effective, professional working relationships with patients, employees and the public.  Ability to solve problems and make decisions.  Knowledge of computer systems and applications.  Knowledge of organizational policies, procedures and systems.  Bachelor’s degree in nutrition; completion of approved didactic program in dietetics; successful completion of dietetic registration examination and maintenance of R.D. credential.  At least one year experience working with oncology patients and Master’s degree in nutrition or related field preferred.  Board Certification as a Specialist in Oncology Nutrition (CSO) may be substitute for Master’s degree.  Spanish speaker strongly preferred.