dietitian, outpatient - Belmont, MA, USA, United States - Partners Healthcare System

Description

Advancing Mental Health Treatment Through Metabolic Interventions

The Metabolic and Mental Health Program

The Metabolic and Mental Health Program will advance the study of the metabolic drivers of mental health disorders and the application of metabolic interventions to treat them.

Following are the key areas of focus that will allow for a new clinical service, more research in this area, dissemination of knowledge, and training of clinicians in metabolic assessment and treatment strategies to improve patient outcomes.

• Launch the Metabolic and Mental Health Consultation Service.

Metabolic health assessments and treatment strategies, such as dietary interventions, appropriate hormonal and nutrient assessments, and other strategies are not currently offered in a comprehensive manner at McLean.

A multidisciplinary team, including a psychiatrist, dietitian, and health and wellness coach, will be hired and trained to deliver these services.

• Conduct original research on the metabolic drivers of mental disorders and potential interventions to improve patient outcomes.
• Advance the metabolic theory of mental illness through academic publications and education for the general public.
• Training opportunities for clinicians.

By leveraging McLean Hospital's Department of Postgraduate and Continuing Education and Harvard Medical School's Office for External Education, we will offer clinician training programs in the science of the metabolic theory of mental illness, along with treatment strategies that can play a role, such as lifestyle and metabolic therapies.

The McLean Hospital Metabolic and Mental Health Program is hiring a part-time FTE)

Registered Dietitian, licensed in the state of MA, who will work collaboratively with a

multi-disciplinary clinical consultation team for the program. A competitive candidate for this

position will have experience and/or interest in working with mental health patients, training in

ketogenic diet therapies for metabolic and neurological disorders, a proven ability to counsel

effectively, and an ability to work independently and also as a member of a team.

Responsible for the screening, assessment, and implementation of nutritional care plans as part of

a metabolic treatment plan for people with mental health conditions; develops and provides

education and support for patients and family members; offers both individual and group sessions;

and adheres to departmental and hospital policies and procedures.


PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Communicates with and obtains information from the patient, family members, referring

clinicians, and program consultation team members to ensure appropriate patient-focused care plans

• Obtains comprehensive data on individual patient's personal, medical/health histories including

anthropometric, lab results, medications, demographics and activity/exercise.

• Obtains nutrition history.
• Determines nutrient and energy requirements.
• Identifies and reviews possible food/medication/herb interactions.
• Analyzes and interprets nutrition and health assessment data, identifies nutrition-related

problems and sets priorities for nutrition intervention.

• Formulates nutrition care plans, including therapeutic ketogenic diets. Establishes follow-up

plans and continues providing nutrition care to obtain appropriate clinical outcomes.

• Documents nutrition and health assessment/follow up in medical record according to program

standards.

• Integrates nutrition recommendations with other aspects of patient care by participating in

interdisciplinary discussions focused on patients.

• Educates other health care professionals about the positive impact of appropriate nutritional

care.

• Demonstrates competencies required by specific area of work.
• Participates in Program and Hospital activities.
• Actively engages in process improvement to advance the delivery of nutrition care with limited

resources.

• Develops professional portfolio consistent with area of practice and seeks continuing education

activities to maintain competence.


SKILLS/ ABILITIES/ COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:
Demonstrates ability to communicate and relate to a diverse group of patients, colleagues, and

other health care professionals.

Demonstrates nutrition education and counseling skills to patients / clients to achieve desired

goals. Demonstrates ability to prioritize work and schedule.

Demonstrates ability to effectively make decisions which achieve optimal outcomes for patients.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, and/or REGISTRATIONS (if applicable):
Registered Dietitian - Commission on Dietetic Registration - required Licensed Dietitian -Commonwealth of MA - required.

Certification in ketogenic diet therapies - preferred


EDUCATION:
BS in Nutrition, Dietetics, or related subject / MS preferred.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, and/or REGISTRATIONS (if applicable):
Registered Dietitian - Commission on Dietetic Registration - required Licensed Dietitian -Commonwealth of MA - required.

Certification in ketogenic diet therapies - preferred


EDUCATION:
BS in Nutrition, Dietetics, or related subject / MS preferred.


EEO

It is the policy of McLean Hospital to affirmatively provide equal opportunity to all qualified applicants for employment and existing employees without regard to their race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, ancestry, protected veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy or a condition related to pregnancy including, but not limited to, lactation or the need to express breast milk for a nursing child, or any other basis that would be in violation of any applicable law or regulation.