Dietitian 1-Clinical Dietetics (SKMC) - UAE National

Role Overview

Dietitian 1–Clinical Dietetics at SEHA, Sultan Khalifa Medical Center (SKMC), UAE. This role is open to UAE Nationals.

Role Purpose

Deliver individualized medical nutrition therapy (MNT) through a multi-disciplinary approach to inpatients and outpatients across Health Care Facilities, Homecare, Kidney Care, and Ambulatory Healthcare Services. Implement MNT according to the American Dietetic Association (ADA) Nutrition Care Process (NCP) to individualize care based on patient needs and values using best available scientific evidence.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Duties & Medical Nutrition Therapy

• Assess patients using the Nutrition Care Process (NCP), a systematic four-step approach: Nutrition Assessment, Nutrition Diagnosis, Nutrition Intervention, and Nutrition Monitoring and Evaluation.
• Individualize and evaluate care and service processes within organization systems specific to nutrition and dietetics discipline.
• Document comprehensive assessments for all consulted and referred patients per facility policies and procedures.
• Refer complex cases to Senior Dietitians/Supervisor for guidance to ensure high-quality evidence-based nutrition care.
• Update nutritional standards of care and procedures for the facility and promote evidence-based guidelines.
• Maintain active membership in a nutrition practice group or association aligned with area of work concentration.
• Liaise with ward and food service management and staff daily regarding nutritional care plans, goals, and dietary requirements for inpatients.
• Liaise with Food Service on preparation of therapeutic diets, ordering appropriate menus and alternative food products for individual patients.
• Communicate complex sensitive information in understandable form to patients, carers, medical, nursing, and food service staff using negotiation, counseling, and behavioral change skills.
• Communicate nutritional care plan goals and progress to referring health care professionals through medical case notes, letters, or verbal communication.
• Plan and organize provision of nutritional items for patients discharged on enteral (tube) feeding.
• Liaise with Long Term Facilities to communicate nutritional plan of care for discharged patients.

Administration

• Encourage teamwork by creating an environment of empowerment and accountability.
• Supervise and liaise with Food Service regarding therapeutic diets, therapeutic projects, and education on therapeutic diets.
• Implement Departmental standards of practice.
• Utilize marketing techniques and participate in revenue generation where appropriate.
• Maintain sufficient inventory of nutrition consumable items, general material management, and equipment required for patient care and performance of duties.

Quality & Safety

• Follow Department of Health Abu Dhabi's Standards of Practice.
• Maintain Registration/license as required by Department of Health Abu Dhabi.
• Demonstrate accountability for proper use of patients' protected health information.
• Conduct research based on evidence-based medicine and clinical research on human subjects within national laws, international and local standards and guidelines, and accreditation requirements, adopting highest ethical and human subject protection criteria.
• Ensure conducting research complies with guidelines of local regulatory bodies such as Department of Health, Abu Dhabi.
• Prepare for and participate in accreditation activities.
• Identify opportunities for improvement and promote and maintain quality in all services.
• Ensure continuous quality improvement measures are in place.
• Follow facility-approved reference guidelines or Academy of Nutrition, ASPEN, and ESPEN nutritional guidelines.
• Participate in Facility Quality Improvement Projects.

Education

• Communicate professionally and courteously with patients, family, and medical personnel to obtain information for nutrition diagnosis, assessment, intervention, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Establish rapport with clients, patients, or groups when conducting nutrition education in an environment that enhances nutrition education outcomes.
• Plan and deliver training and education sessions for facility and department staff.
• Act as preceptor of dietetics or other students.
• Instruct and train dietetic interns when applicable.
• Develop and present seminars or lectures for health professionals or students.
• Participate in departmental education projects and presentations annually.
• Write, prepare, and review new nutrition education material.
• Utilize varied techniques to educate patients regarding nutrition goals.

Qualifications & Experience

• BSc degree in Nutrition & Dietetics from an accredited program.
• Current National license.
• MSc in relevant clinical field (desired; will reduce 1 year from required years of experience).

Skills & Competencies

• Proficiency in Nutrition Care Process (NCP) framework.
• Knowledge of American Dietetic Association (ADA) standards.
• Familiarity with Academy of Nutrition, ASPEN, and ESPEN nutritional guidelines.
• Negotiation, counseling, and behavioral change skills.
• Medical case note documentation and communication.
• Nutrition education delivery and material development.
• Marketing and revenue generation techniques.
• Patient and staff supervision and mentoring ability.
• Evidence-based research capability.

Additional Information

• Active membership in a nutrition society or association is desired.