Clinical Dietitian

Meritus Health; Hagerstown (MD); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Shift differential

Job summary

Meritus Health in Hagerstown, MD is seeking a Clinical Dietitian to join our Nutrition Services team. In this role, you will assess, treat, and educate patients across the lifespan while helping ensure optimal nutritional outcomes in acute, sub-acute, and outpatient settings.

You will collaborate with physicians, nurses, and the interdisciplinary care team, providing evidence-based nutrition care and contributing to a culture of service excellence.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Dietetics, Nutrition, or related field (for post-2024 RD).
• Bachelor’s degree in Dietetics, Nutrition, or related field (for pre-2024 RD).
• Clinical experience in acute care setting preferred.
• Must be able to work independently as staff clinical dietitian.
• Maryland licensure required; prepare to complete CDR exam within 6–12 months.
• CDR registration as RD is required.

Responsibilities

• Screen patients for nutrition risk and perform comprehensive assessments.
• Develop individualized nutrition care plans and interventions.
• Provide nutrition education and counseling to patients and families.
• Document care in the EHR and participate in rounds.

Skills

Nutrition screening

Nutrition assessment

Care planning

Education & counseling

EHR documentation

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Clinical judgment

Communication skills

Education

Master’s degree in Dietetics/Nutrition or related field

Bachelor’s degree in Dietetics/Nutrition or related field

Tools

EHR system

Job description

As Needed, 8a-4:30pMeritus Health is seeking a

As Needed, 8a-4:30pMeritus Health is seeking a Clinical Dietitian to join our Nutrition Services team. In this role, you will use your clinical expertise to assess, treat, and educate patients across the lifespan while helping ensure optimal nutritional outcomes in acute, sub-acute, and/or outpatient settings.
You will collaborate closely with physicians, nurses, and other members of the interdisciplinary care team while providing evidence-based nutrition care and contributing to a culture of service excellence.

What You’ll Do

• Screen patients for nutrition risk and complete comprehensive nutrition assessments.
• Develop and implement individualized nutrition care plans and interventions.
• Provide nutrition education and counseling to patients and their families.
• Document assessments, interventions, and follow-up care in the electronic health record (EHR).
• Provide nutrition care to patients across the lifespan.
• Participate in interdisciplinary patient care rounds and collaborate with physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.
• Provide education and support to departmental and interdepartmental staff to promote ongoing clinical skill development.
• Participate in professional activities, committees, special projects, and department initiatives.
• Establish and work toward 1–2 professional development goals annually.
• Demonstrate a commitment to Meritus Health’s values of Teamwork, Stewardship, Accountability, Integrity, Advocacy, and Innovation.

Qualifications

Education

• For Registered Dietitians who completed their didactic program after January 1, 2024: Master’s degree required, with a Bachelor’s degree in Dietetics, Nutrition, or a related field.
• For Registered Dietitians who completed their didactic program before January 1, 2024: Bachelor’s degree required in Dietetics, Nutrition, or a related field.

Experience

• Clinical experience in an acute care medical center is preferred.
• Must be able to function independently as a staff clinical dietitian following general orientation.
• Previous EHR experience preferred.

Licensure & Certification

• Registered Dietitian credential through the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).
• Maryland licensure required, subject to applicable temporary exemptions.
• Candidates must successfully pass the CDR examination and obtain Maryland licensure, preferably within six months of hire and no later than 12 months after hire.
• For participation on the Nutrition Support Team, CNSC certification is preferred; candidates with 5+ years of acute critical care experience may also be considered.

What You Bring

The ideal candidate will have strong clinical judgment and the ability to communicate effectively with patients, families, physicians, medical center personnel, and other members of the healthcare team. Computer proficiency, including the ability to process nutrition reports and retrieve patient data, is required.

Professional membership in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics or another equivalent professional organization is encouraged.

FST-As needed positions are not eligible for benefits and have a set rate of pay. If you work evenings, nights or weekends, you may be eligible for shift differential.

Happy to Help

At Meritus, we believe in a collaborative and caring work environment. Interactions are an opportunity to learn, listen and to be there for one another. Therefore, we provide warm welcomes, hospitality-driven closures, and are always Happy to Help.