The purpose of this position is to provide specialized medical nutrition therapy to pediatric patients a variety of

inpatient and ambulatory settings. The Clinical Dietitian Specialist provides medical nutrition therapy (assessment, diagnosis, intervention, education, monitoring, and evaluation) to patients in specialty areas of

pediatric care. Provides consultation to clinical dietitians in areas of specialty; mentor to colleagues and learners; develops therapeutic diets in compliance with medical treatment plan; may collaborate with other specialty providers; and instructs patients and families with evidence based medical nutrition therapy practices.

This position is responsible for coverage all clinical areas as needed.

• Provides medical nutrition therapy to pediatric outpatient population

• Nutrition Assessment: Consults medical team, nursing, social work, and other therapies (PT/OT/Speech and Language, etc.) Concerning problems affecting patient's food habits and needs; interviews parents or care giver to obtain diet history, food or formula tolerances, allergies, social/economic/cultural information, food preparation habits and cooking facilities; inquires about food preferences, chewing or swallowing difficulties, completes anthromometric measurements; analyzes patient's data (diagnosis, medications, medical history) to determine nutritional status and develop nutrition care plan. 

• Nutrition Care Plan: Recommends and documents appropriate medical nutrition therapy; advises physicians, nurses, and other health care team regarding implementation of nutrition care; selects types and amounts of food for special diets based on indicated physiological, psychological and biochemical needs of patients and integrates them with food preferences; indicates mode of feeding for infants or children with chewing or swallowing difficulties; assesses the need for alternate means of nutrition support (i.e. enteral vs. parenteral) and develops appropriate formulation.

• Nutrition Care Plan Follow-up: Evaluates meals served for conformance to prescribed diet and standards of palatability and appearance; conducts nutrition rounds to note patients adherence to nutritional plan; monitors anthropometric, biochemical indices and caloric intake to determine appropriateness of care plan; modifies nutritional intervention as necessary; participates in patient care conferences and multi disciplinary team meetings; plans for patient, parent or care giver counseling for nutrition modification.

• Nutrition Instruction: Counsels patient, parents, or care giver in appropriate diet and/or formula modifications; provides educational materials and verbal instruction to support inpatient and outpatient nutrition care plan; provides education material to other health team members regarding infant formulas, nutrition supplements or diet modifications; acts a resource for OHSU and surrounding community in the area of pediatric nutrition.

• A Bachelor’s degree with specialization in dietetics, nutrition, institution management, or a closely-related field and completion of a pre-planned professional experience in dietetics at a facility approved by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). 
• Registered Dietitian/Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR)
• Licensed Dietitian in the state of Oregon
• The specialist must have documentation of successful completion of a specialty certification examination and maintain requirements for maintaining specialist credential. In some circumstances a 1-year window to maintain a specialist credential via a specialty certification examination may be extended. 

Job Related Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (Competencies):

• Must be proficient in the nutrition care process.
• Must be able to determine the nutrient requirements of the pediatric inpatient and outpatient to ensure adequate nutrient intake and/or replacement of nutrients loss secondary to medical condition;
• determine the nutrient make-up of patients meal patterns and medications (dosage and timing) that affect nutrient and/or drug bioavailablity;
• determine malnutrition and recommend and administer medical nutrition therapy to improve digestion, absorption and metabolism of nutrients; make recommendations concerning adjustment of some medications that relate to nutrition, in order to promote increased well-being of the patient, maintenance of acceptable blood chemistries, increased bioavailability of drugs, decreased hospitalization days, and cost-effectiveness of regimens.
• Must complete annual age specific competency training and post test.
• Must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without accommodation

• MS in Nutrition or related field
• 2 years clinical experience with 1 year working in pediatrics strongly preferred
• WA Certificate (CD) required within six months of hire for active work in ambulatory/outpatient.

Day Shift; days may vary; includes evening clinics. Weekend and holiday rotation. Shares office with 4-10

other dietitians, position may include hybrid-telework.

Oregon Health & Science University values a diverse and culturally competent workforce. We are proud of our commitment to being an equal opportunity, affirmative action organization that does not discriminate against applicants on the basis of any protected class status, including disability status and protected veteran status. Individuals with diverse backgrounds and those who promote diversity and a culture of inclusion are encouraged to apply. To request reasonable accommodation contact the Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Department at 503-494-5148 or aaeo@ohsu.edu.