Satellite Healthcare is a successful, nonprofit organization that has improved the lives of people living with kidney disease since 1973. We earn our national reputation for excellent patient care each day by offering a complete range of dialysis therapy choices, personalized clinical services, and unparalleled wellness education.
Satellite Healthcare provides expert, personalized kidney care at over 80 centers across the U.S. as well as at acute dialysis locations in California and Texas. Learn more about Satellite Healthcare at www.satellitehealth.com .
The Renal Dietitian is responsible for developing knowledge and understanding of nephrology nutrition principles through assessing the nutritional needs of each patient, recommending therapeutic diets, counseling patients and their families on prescribed diets, monitoring adherence and response to diet, and following MD approved protocols.
Essential Functions The essential functions listed are not a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned. All employees must work in accordance with Satellite's I-CARE Standards.
Clinical Nutrition
Evaluates patient's nutrition needs/status using medical records (lab values, H&P, etc.), anthropometrics and intake records to develop a diet prescription and nutrition instruction plan. Establish nutritional priorities and develop a team action plan in conjunction with RN, MD, MSW, and patient. Utilizes SPIN to perform all nutrition assessments and documentation.
Interviews patients and obtains a comprehensive diet history to determine patient's nutrition knowledge and understanding
Instructs patient/family/care provider as appropriate on recommended nutrition/ dietary modification using an individualized approach
Assists patient/family to obtain and use community resources/services to meet their nutritional needs
Develops nutrition prescription through SPIN and implements diet orders
Provides ongoing nutrition assessment of patients. Modifies nutrition goals/ dietary recommendations as needed on a regular basis per Satellite policy
Carries out MD standing orders and protocols
Maintains nutrition information in SPIN
Communication
Acknowledges and responds to patients' needs promptly and appropriately
Communicates nutrition information/status to other treatment providers to ensure ongoing nutrition care when patients transfer to another facility/modality or require concurrent care/evaluation from outside agencies, hospitals, clinics, etc.
Participates as a team player who contributes to harmonious and constructive working relationships with all staff members to promote a positive and productive atmosphere. Offers information, advice, and assistance to all unit staff members
Communicates significant information to appropriate team members
Documents in a clear, concise, and accurate manner
Uses Satellite's communication techniques:
o Greets patients by name
o Speaks English only in patient care area unless translating
o Listens to understand, not judge
o Focuses on the message being delivered
o Uses reflective listening
o Positively acknowledges the patient for sharing thoughts/feelings
o Manages conflict in a positive way
o Allows patients to express feelings and concerns appropriately
o Acknowledges problems/situations from the patient's point of view
o Empathizes
o Apologizes when appropriate (without assigning or implying any blame)
Professional Development
Reviews literature and/or utilizes appropriate educational resources (e.g. workshops, conferences,CRN meetings, etc.) to update knowledge and develop skills according to Satellite policy and approved by NSM and CM
Attends mandatory quarterly dietitian meetings (geographically distant dietitians may participate via online meeting resources)
Attends professional conferences as requested
Other
Demonstrates willingness to help patients
Participates in staff meetings, patient review sessions, continuing education programs, staff meetings and RD quarterly meetings
Participates in home visits with the Interdisciplinary Team as requested
Follows all Satellite policies and procedures including infection control and "Standards of Conduct" (I.e. dress code, professionalism)
Participates in CPR as needed
Maintains confidentiality of patient information
Participates in self and/or peer evaluations
Performs other duties as assigned
Minimum Qualifications Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities as well as possession of any required licenses or certifications is qualifying.
Education: Registered Dietitian (Includes Baccalaureate or Advanced degree in nutrition and/or dietetics)
Experience: 1 year post-internship experience in clinical nutrition (2 years preferred)
License/Certification: CPR certification (within 3 months of hire); Specialty Certification in Renal Nutrition (CSR), as eligible
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and satisfactorily communicate in English with others in person, over the phone, and electronically
Satellite Healthcare – Improving the Lives of Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)In 1973, Norman S. Coplon, M.D. began Satellite Healthcare with the objective of improving the quality of life of his dialysis patients. Dr. Coplon established Satellite Healthcare as a not-for-profit, community benefit organization, which allows us to focus primarily on patients.Four decades later, Satellite Healthcare has shaped CKD healthcare in our industry, and continues to elevate the standards of patient care and innovation.Today, we provide a range of expert services to patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Satellite strives to individualize each patient's care to help him or her enjoy their life to the fullest.Satellite Dialysis — We operate 40 high-quality, state-of-the-art, patient-friendly dialysis centers that meet the long-term clinical needs of more than 4,000 CKD patients.Satellite WellBound — With more than 20 centers in place, we focus on personalized training and support for patients performing dialysis at home. In addition, WellBound provides a robust complement of pre-dialysis patient wellness education programs that can help prevent or slow the progression of early st...age CKD.At each of our centers, we put our patients first by providing:Compassionate care with a personalized touchWellness education to empower longer, healthier livesBest clinical practices resulting in outcomes that consistently exceed industry performance standards Opportunities for nephrologists to focus on their patients in comfortable, state-of-the-art environmentsIn addition to patient care, our clinical research division works on finding medical breakthroughs for CKD patients by conducting both internal and external research.For more information, contact Info@SatelliteHealth.com.
