PES Statements
PES Statements are a standardized way that dietitians document patient nutrition problems and plans. PES stands for Problem, Etiology (cause), and Signs/Symptoms. Think of it like a nutrition detective's report: what's wrong, why it's happening, and how we can tell. This format helps dietitians communicate clearly with other healthcare providers and create focused treatment plans. It's similar to how doctors write their diagnoses, but specifically for nutrition issues. When you see this on a resume, it shows the candidate knows how to properly assess and document patient nutrition care according to professional standards.
Examples in Resumes
Documented over 500 PES Statements for acute care patients
Trained new dietitians on writing effective PES Statement documentation
Implemented standardized PES Statement templates in electronic health records
Typical job title: "Registered Dietitians"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Registered Dietitians
Professional Organizations
Job Boards
Professional Networks
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you train new dietitians in writing effective PES statements?
Expected Answer: A senior dietitian should explain their teaching methods, including examples of good statements, common mistakes to avoid, and how they ensure consistent quality across the team.
Q: How have you improved the PES documentation process in your department?
Expected Answer: Should discuss implementing standardized templates, quality improvement initiatives, and how they've made the process more efficient while maintaining accuracy.
Mid Level Questions
Q: Can you explain how you write a PES statement for a complex patient case?
Expected Answer: Should be able to walk through the process of identifying the main nutrition problem, determining its causes, and listing relevant signs and symptoms in a clear, organized way.
Q: How do you use PES statements to track patient progress?
Expected Answer: Should explain how they update statements over time, measure improvements, and adjust nutrition care plans based on changes in the patient's condition.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What are the three components of a PES statement?
Expected Answer: Should explain Problem (what's wrong), Etiology (why it's happening), and Signs/Symptoms (how we can tell) in simple terms with a basic example.
Q: Why are PES statements important in patient care?
Expected Answer: Should discuss how PES statements help communicate nutrition problems clearly, guide treatment plans, and ensure consistent documentation.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic PES statement writing
- Understanding nutrition diagnosis terms
- Simple case documentation
- Following documentation guidelines
Mid (2-5 years)
- Complex case documentation
- Quality assurance reviews
- Electronic health record expertise
- Training new staff on basics
Senior (5+ years)
- Department-wide documentation standards
- Policy development
- Staff training programs
- Quality improvement initiatives
Red Flags to Watch For
- Unable to explain the basic structure of a PES statement
- No experience with electronic health records
- Poor understanding of medical terminology
- Lack of experience in clinical documentation
