Clinical Dietitian

Lifepoint Health®; Escondido (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision

PTO & Disability

Tuition assistance

401(k) with match

Well-being programs

Career development

Job summary

Palomar Health Rehabilitation Institute, part of Lifepoint Health, is seeking a Clinical Dietitian to support hospitalized patients in Escondido, CA. This role performs nutrition assessment, care planning, education, and discharge coordination, while guiding therapeutic diets and allergen management.

Collaboration with physicians, nursing, and nutrition services is essential for optimal patient outcomes. Join a mission-driven team with comprehensive benefits, professional development, and

Qualifications

• Clinical nutrition assessment and care planning with clear documentation.
• Knowledge of therapeutic diets and allergen management.
• Teaching, presentation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and strong organization.
• Survey readiness and compliance awareness.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical nutrition services for hospitalized patients, including assessment, care planning, education, discharge coordination.
• Oversee menu management and staff education related to therapeutic diets, allergens, and nutrition standards.
• Support regulatory survey readiness and participate in on-site survey activities to ensure compliance.
• Guide staff during surveys, coordinate responses to information requests, and develop plans of correction.
• Conduct initial nutrition assessments and reassessments for all admitted patients, prioritizing high-risk referrals.
• Ensure documentation of assessments, care plans, education, and discharge planning per policy.
• Collaborate with physicians, nursing, therapy, case management, and Food & Nutrition Services to optimize outcomes.
• Maintain patient safety and privacy and follow infection prevention and allergen-control practices.

Skills

Acute-care experience

Clinical nutrition assessment

Care planning

Documentation

Therapeutic diets

Allergen management

Teaching/presentation

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Organization

Survey readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in Dietetics or a nutrition-related field

Job description

Your Experience Matters

Palomar Health Rehabilitation Institute is part of Lifepoint Health, a diversified healthcare delivery network with facilities coast to coast. We are driven by a profound commitment to prioritize your well-being so you can provide exceptional care to others. As a Clinical Dietitian, joining our team, you're embracing a vital mission dedicated to making communities healthier ®. Join us on this meaningful journey where your skills, compassion and dedication will make a remarkable difference in the lives of those we serve.

How You'll Contribute

A Clinical Dietitian who excels in this role:

• Provides clinical nutrition services for hospitalized patients, including assessment, care planning, education, and discharge coordination.
• Oversees menu management and staff education related to therapeutic diets, allergens, and nutrition standards.
• Supports regulatory survey readiness and participates in on-site survey activities to ensure compliance.
• Participates in the survey process by guiding staff on conduct and disclosure, maintaining an on-site presence with surveyors, coordinating timely responses to information requests, and initiating corrective action during surveys as appropriate; collaborates with hospital departments to develop plans of correction.
• Conducts initial nutrition assessments and reassessments for all admitted patients and prioritizes high-risk referrals in accordance with policy.
• Ensures complete and timely documentation, including assessments, care plans, education, and discharge planning, in accordance with hospital policy and regulatory standards.
• Provides oversight of the menu management process to align offerings with therapeutic diet orders and patient needs.
• Educates managers and staff on therapeutic diets, food allergens, and related topics and serves as a subject-matter resource.
• Collaborates with physicians, nursing, speech therapy, case management, and Food & Nutrition Services to optimize patient outcomes and experience.
• Supports performance improvement initiatives, audit readiness, and policy updates related to clinical nutrition and food service operations.
• Maintains patient safety and privacy and follows infection prevention and allergen-control practices.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education

What we're looking for

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Dietetics or a nutrition-related field.

Certifications

• Registered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration; state license/certification if required.

Skills & Experience

• Prior acute-care experience preferred.
• Clinical nutrition assessment and care planning; clear documentation; knowledge of therapeutic diets and allergen management; effective teaching/presentation skills; ability to collaborate across disciplines; strong organization and follow-through; survey readiness and compliance awareness.

Why join us

We Believe That Investing In Our Employees Is The First Step To Providing Excellent Patient Care. In Addition To Your Base Compensation, This Position Also Offers

• Comprehensive Benefits:Multiple levels of medical, dental and vision coverage for full-time andpart-time employees.
• Financial Protection & PTO:Life, accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity insurance, short- and long-term disability, paid family leave and paid time off.
• Financial & Career Growth:Higher education and certification tuition assistance, loan assistance and 401(k) retirement package and company match.
• Employee Well-being:Mental, physical, and financial wellness programs (free gym memberships, virtual care appointments, mental health services and discount programs).
• Professional Development:Ongoing learning and career advancement opportunities.

More About Palomar Health Rehabilitation Institute

Palomar Health Rehabilitation Institute is a state-of-the-art, 52-bed inpatient acute rehabilitation hospital dedicated to helping individuals regain their independence and return to the lives they love following an injury or illness.

EEOC Statement

Palomar Health Rehabilitation Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Palomar Health Rehabilitation is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity for all applicants and employees and complies with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination and harassment in employment.

Lifepoint Health is a leader in community-based care and driven by a mission of Making Communities Healthier. Our diversified healthcare delivery network spans 29 states and includes 63 community hospital campuses, 32 rehabilitation and behavioral health hospitals, and more than 170 additional sites of care across the healthcare continuum, such as acute rehabilitation units, outpatient centers and post-acute care facilities. We believe that success is achieved through talented people. We want to create places where employees want to work, with opportunities to pursue meaningful and satisfying careers that truly make a difference in communities across the country.