Who We Are

Packard Children’s Health Alliance (PCHA) is a network associated with Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital and the Stanford School of Medicine. We bring the best community physicians together in a network that provides healthcare for children and expectant mothers from the Bay Area

In fact, we’re proud to be the only Bay Area medical network with an exclusive focus on women and children, and we understand the unique value provided by our more than 650 leading pediatricians and obstetrician/gynecologists. What’s more, we’re growing fast.

Clinical Services (PCHA)

This is a part-time (.5fte 20 hrs/week) position.

The Clinical Dietitian II functions independently in pediatric specialty clinics such as pediatric gastroenterology, endocrinology, cardiology, neurology, nephrology, high risk infant clinic and other specialties clinics.  Responsible for assessing the nutritional status, providing medical nutrition therapy, developing care plans and timely documentation in the medical record for patients.  Plans, directs, and provides medical nutrition services, counseling, and education to patients and their families.   Plays an active role in case management, including placing formula orders, providing guidance to families between visits, and collaborating with other members of the multidisciplinary team.  The Clinical Dietitian II is responsible for managing their time to prioritize varying levels of acuity in patient care and must be able to adapt as priorities shift. Also serves as a resource for nutrition information for medical staff, patients and their families and the community and mentors/trains Clinical Dietitian I. 

Essential Functions

The essential functions listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification. They are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned. Employees must abide by Stanford Children’s Health guidelines including but not limited to PCARES, sensitivity to cultural diversity, patient care, patients’ rights and ethical treatment, safety and security of physical environments, emergency management, teamwork, respect for others, participation in ongoing education and training, communication and adherence to safety and quality programs, sustaining compliance with Stanford Children’s Health policies, licensure and health screenings.

• Conducts a comprehensive nutrition assessment using anthropometric, medical/clinical, biochemical, radiologic, diet history, and physical examination data for patients identified at nutritional risk. Obtains timely and appropriate data and analyzes/interprets data based on institution-specific and evidence-based standards.
• Provides patient care by assessing nutrition and hydration status, determining nutrition needs, developing and revising care plan to include appropriate interventions that consider the varied needs of age-specific populations as well as cultural, religious, and ethnic concerns.
• Documents relevant, accurate, and timely information performed in steps in the Nutrition Care Process in the patient’s medical record or electronic medical record. Documents all aspects of the patient care in accordance with department’s nutrition practice guidelines and professional standards.
• Formulates and determines a plan of action that is focused on the etiology of the problem and known to be effective based on best current knowledge and evidence from evidence- based nutrition practice guidelines.
• Assesses educational needs and provides nutrition counseling to individuals, patients, clients, care givers and/or groups based on individual needs, including nutrient requirements, knowledge and abilities, and medical, economic, and social situation.
• Utilizes monitoring and evaluation techniques that consider the varied needs of age-specific populations as well as cultural, religious, and ethnic concerns.
• Measures outcomes through selecting outcome indicators that are relevant to the nutrition diagnosis or signs or symptoms, nutrition goals, medical diagnosis, and outcomes and quality management goals and use of standardized indicators. Evaluates the effectiveness and measures progress toward outcomes of nutrition interventions.
• Evaluates need for and appropriateness of enteral nutrition support and recommends suitable mode of feeding including route and site selection as applicable to the clinician’s skills.
• Determines when a problem requires consultation with or referral to another provider. As needed, delegates or coordinates nutrition plan of care with other healthcare professionals, including coordinating care with other dietitian(s) across the continuity of care spectrum.
• Communicates and influences treatment interventions determined by the medical team through interdisciplinary meetings, medical conferences, and nutrition-related in-services.
• Serves as a nutrition educator for students, medical staff, health professionals, and/or general public. Assists in developing and revising patient education materials, clinical forms, and protocols.
• Ensures that care delivered to each patient is in accordance with the state form of dietetics regulation, licensing, certification, or registration. Complies with federal requirements set forth under the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Conditions of Participation (COP) in order to receive Medicare/Medicaid payment. Ensures state and local certifications for health, safety, and quality standards are met.

Specific to Clinical Dietitian II Role

• Displays comprehensive knowledge and application of nutrition services and medical nutrition therapy in specialty area within pediatrics such as GI, endocrinology, cardiology, pulmonology, nephrology, neurology.         
• Mentors/trains Clinical Dietitians I and serves as a mentor and/or resource to other practitioners.
• Ongoing maintenance of specialty certification required.  For specialty certifications not requiring recertification, continued competency in specialty area must be evident.
• Participates in continuous quality assessment and improvement activities. Participates in departmental and interdisciplinary meetings, task forces, and projects as assigned. Performs key role in at least one performance improvement initiative or outcome-based project annually and creates/revises two nutrition protocols/patient education tools annually.

Specific to CDCES

• Provides diabetes self-management education, support, and training to patients with new-onset diabetes in the hospital and their caregivers.
• Recommends, as appropriate, diabetes management supplies, tools, and further education for both the family and patient.
• Facilitate patient and family training on insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors.
• Monitors patient’s diabetes behavioral goals and outcomes; communicate and document patient progress for the healthcare team.
• Oversees inpatient care with hospital staff regarding diabetes management and education, including nursing staff, registered dietitians, pharmacy services, child life services, and case management.
• Recommends adjustments in patient’s diabetes medication dosing by analyzing blood glucose downloads under general supervision of physicians.
• 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: Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited university in Dietetics, Nutrition and Food Science or Related Science. Master’s Degree preferred.
   
• License/Certification: Valid credential as a Registered Dietitian (RD) issued by the Commission of Dietetic Registration (CDR), the credentialing agency for the American Dietetic Association, as mandated by State of California law. 
  • CCS paneling within one year of becoming Clinical Dietitian II required.:
  • Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) required.
• Experience: Minimum three (3) years professional work experience in clinical nutrition as a Registered Dietitian.  Two (2) years Pediatric experience preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of principles, methods and techniques of nutritional assessment and care planning including nutrient composition of foods, pathologies of disease and impact on biochemical laboratory values and anthropometric measurements, drug-nutrient interactions, and the effect of medical nutrition therapy.
• Knowledge of nutritional needs throughout the life cycle (neonatal, infancy, pediatrics, adults) and general influences of socioeconomic, cultural, and psychological factors on food and nutritional behavior.
• Knowledge of principles, methods and techniques of education and counseling.
• Knowledge of concepts of research and methodology including design, statistical methods of collecting and analyzing data.
• Knowledge of common office software including word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.
• Ability to interpret and apply scientific research outcomes in the provision of nutrition care.
• Ability to consult with other professional staff regarding the relationship between nutrition and specific medical/physical conditions and medications.
• Ability to plan special diets as needed.
• Ability to design, use and evaluate nutrition education methods and material.
• Ability to prepare records and reports and operate computer systems and databases.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with individuals of diverse cultural, ethnic, and educational backgrounds.
• Ability to maintain effective relationships with employees and patients.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

General office environment.  Outpatient clinical setting with ability to travel between work locations as needed.

Strength (Lift, Carry, Push, and Pull):  Sedentary; exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally

Standing/Walking: Occasionally; activity exists up to 1/3 of the time

  Frequently; activity exists from 1/3 to 2/3 of the timeKeyboard/Dexterity:

Equal Opportunity Employer

Stanford Children’s Health strongly values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination in all of its policies and practices, including the area of employment.  Accordingly, Stanford Children’s Health does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation or identity, religion, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, marital status, medical condition, genetic information, veteran status, or disability. Women and men, members of all racial and ethnic groups, people with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.