McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston, a leading academic health center, invites applications for a full-time (1.0 FTE), non-tenure clinical track Instructor in the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Medical Genetics. 

The selected candidate will contribute to the Nutrition Management and care coordination of patients with inborn errors of metabolism. 

POSITION KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

 The position is 100% clinical.  Job duties include, but are not limited to:

1. Medical Nutrition Therapy

1. a) Provision of age-appropriate medical nutrition therapy for individuals diagnosed with inherited (genetic) metabolic disorders in inpatient and outpatient settings that draw upon knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span. You will also provide care for patients with inherited metabolic disorders identified by the Texas Newborn Screening program, including age-appropriate medical nutrition therapy. This may include aminoacidopathies (such as phenylketonuria), urea cycle disorders, organic acidemias, galactosemia, glycogen storage disease, and fatty acid oxidation disorders.

1. b) Assessment of laboratory and clinical data reflective of the patient's status, evaluation of nutritional status, and development, implementation, monitoring, and documentation of nutrition care plans that allow for specific economic, social, cultural, and age-appropriate needs of patients and caregivers.

1. c) Development of age-appropriate educational materials for children, teens, and adults with inherited metabolic disorders targeted to increase patient knowledge regarding their specific nutritional needs. These materials are expected to complement the ongoing education of patients, and their families provided during patient visits.

1. d) Assistance in Development of Emergency Protocols for illness and metabolic stress.

1. e) Assistance to patients, families, and other members of the genetics team in acquiring all treatment components for patients (medical food, low protein specialty foods, resources, and supplies required for dietary therapy compliance), including providing supporting documentation for insurance and other assistance programs as necessary.

1. f) Documentation to school systems for the implementation of medical foods/formulas and special meals as appropriate.

2. Education

As UTHealth is a teaching institution you will be expected to train UTHealth medical students, genetic counseling students, residents, and fellows who rotate through the clinic. Additionally, you will be expected to train dietetic interns from area universities. You will also monitor, document, and report on student performance as indicated by program-specific evaluation forms.

3. Professional Activity

1. a) Establish membership and active participation in professional organizations as appropriate for credentialing and development of skills in providing nutritional therapy for metabolic disease.

1. b) Participate in international, national, and regional professional education opportunities regarding evidence-based practice for treatment of inborn errors of metabolism via conferences, webinars, listservs, etc.

1. c) Participate in metabolic journal reviews and remain current on published research, treatment guidelines, and consensus statements and communicate back to core metabolic team.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• MS, PhD or DCN in nutrition, dietetics or related field.
•  Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist, and licensure in Texas by date of hire or eligible to become a licensed dietitian in Texas within 6 months of employment.

Critical Skills/Expertise

• Existing understanding of, or skill set in, principles of nutritional assessment
•      Good communication skills, skill set to prioritize and organize duties, and skill set to develop and work toward appropriate goals
• Skill set to work with patients of different cognitive levels and adapt management to patient abilities.
• Skill set to work as an integral member of a care team.