Staffing Information

STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Dietetic Technicians meet the qualifications established by the American Dietetic Association and either have completed an approved associate degree program or a bachelor's degree program in nutrition.

Clinical Nutritionists are registered or registry eligible by the Commission of Dietetic Registration of the American Dietetic Association and are licensed, or eligible for licensure in the state of Alabama. Minimal requirements for clinical nutritionists include a master's degree in nutrition with 1 year of clinical experience, pediatrics preferred, or a bachelor's degree in nutrition and certification in an area of specialization.

Lactation Consultants are certified as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and have a Bachelor's degree from an accredited program in a health-related field.  Registered Nurses may qualify with an Associate degree in nursing with 4 years of work experience in maternal/child or pediatric healthcare delivery.  A current license to practice within the health-related specialty (RD, OT, or RN) in the State of Alabama is required.  Two years of clinical work experience is required, pediatric experience is preferred.  Individuals interested in obtaining certification through a mentorship training commitment with Children's also may be considered.

The Clinical Nutrition Managers have a current license to practice within the health-related specialty (RD or RN) in the State of Alabama.  Minimal requirements for the nutrition manager include a master's degree in nutrition with 2 years of clinical pediatric experience, or a bachelor's degree in nutrition and 5 years of clinical pediatric experience.

The Clinical Nutrition Director is registered by the Commission of Dietetic Registration of the American Dietetic Association and is licensed, or eligible for licensure in the state of Alabama.  Minimal requirements for the clinical nutrition director include a master's degree in nutrition with 3 years of clinical experience, pediatric and management/supervisory experience preferred.

STAFFING ASSIGNMENTS

The Director is responsible for the department's operations and staffing.  The Clinical Nutrition Managers are responsible for the department when the director is not available. Each area is provided service by a Clinical Nutritionist as listed:

Adolescent Medicine
Allergy/Immunology
Bariatrics
Cardiology
Cystic Fibrosis
Endocrinology (including diabetes)
Gastroenterology
General Inpatient Pediatrics
General Surgery and Burns
Hematology/Oncology
HIV and Infectious Disease
Neonatal Intensive Care
Nephrology and Dialysis
Neurology (including ketogenic diet)
Pediatric Intensive Care
Pulmonary Medicine
Inpatient Psychiatric Unit
Referred Outpatients
Rehabilitation Medicine
Solid Organ Transplantation
Specialty Surgery Services
Stem Cell Transplantation 

In-patient care includes review of nutrition risk factors and prioritizing in-patients based on nutritional risk.  All patients with food allergies and/or modified diet prescriptions are seen by a dietetic technician to identify food intolerances, educational needs, and to the discuss rationale of the diet modification. Dietetic Technicians complete meal rounds to include patients receiving modified diets as well as those with feeding difficulties or poor appetite/intake.