Dietican - Oncology

assesses cancer patients' nutritional status, develops personalized diet plans to manage treatment side effects like nausea and appetite loss, and provides education and counseling to patients and families

• Patient assessment:

  Conduct comprehensive nutritional assessments using biochemical, clinical, and dietary data, and interpret lab values to identify nutrition risks.

• Care plan development:

  Create and implement individualized nutrition care plans based on cancer type and treatment protocols.

• Patient and family counseling:

  Educate patients and their families on how to manage nutrition during treatment, focusing on issues like nausea, taste changes, appetite loss, and weight maintenance.

• Treatment support:

  Adjust diet plans based on the patient's response to therapy and evolving needs, including monitoring tube or IV feeding (enteral or parenteral nutrition).

• Team collaboration:

  Work with oncologists, nurses, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals to provide integrated patient care.

• Documentation:

  Maintain accurate and comprehensive records of nutrition interventions in electronic medical records.

• Education and training:

  Provide nutrition education to patients, families, and other healthcare professionals.

• Auditing and research:

  Participate in audits and research to help develop and implement evidence-based nutrition strategies.

Qualifications and skills

• Education:

  Bachelor's or Master's degree in Nutrition and Dietetics.

• Experience:

  Clinical experience in oncology is often preferred.

• Certification:

  Passing the Registration Examination for Dietitians is essential.

• Skills:

  Expertise in nutrition, strong patient education and counseling skills, empathy, adaptability, and excellent communication skills are crucial.

• Knowledge:

  Understanding of the complex effects of cancer treatments on nutrition is necessary.