Clinical Dietitian Full Time Pediatrics

Lifespan; Providence (RI); On-site; USD 57,340 - 94,603; Full time

Job summary

Lifespan, at Rhode Island Hospital in Providence, RI, seeks a registered dietitian to provide comprehensive nutrition care to hospital patients under supervision of senior clinicians. Role involves nutrition assessment, plan development, and documentation in the electronic health record, with oversight of support staff as needed.

The position emphasizes patient education, interdisciplinary collaboration, and ongoing quality improvement in nutrition services within Brown University Health.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Food and Nutrition from ACEND‑accredited program.
• Completion of ACEND accredited supervised practice program and passing the RDN exam.
• License as Dietitian/Nutritionist in Rhode Island within 3 months of hire.
• Strong communication, analytical, and administrative abilities.

Responsibilities

• Assess nutrition-related problems by reviewing patient history and data.
• Assess anthropometric indicators and compare to reference data.
• Review laboratory profiles and medical tests relevant to nutrition care.
• Perform NFPE to identify nutritional deficiencies and plan care.
• Obtain and review nutrition history and readiness to change behaviors.
• Estimate nutrient needs and develop nutrition plans of care.
• Document progress in EHR and update plans as needed.
• Participate in discharge planning and patient education.

Skills

Communication skills

Analytical thinking

Administrative ability

MS Word

MS PowerPoint

MS Excel

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Food and Nutrition

ACEND accredited supervised practice

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) certification

Rhode Island license to practice

Tools

MS Word

MS PowerPoint

MS Excel

Job description

Summary

Under the general supervision of the Senior Clinical Dietitians Specialists and the Clinical Nutrition Director/Supervisor, and in accordance with established policies, procedures, and departmental standards of practice, provides nutritional care to hospital patients throughout their Brown University Health. Interviews patients and/or family members and reviews electronic health records to assess nutritional needs and develop nutrition plans of care. Monitors and evaluates indicators and outcomes data directly related to the nutrition diagnosis, goals, preferences, and intervention strategies to determine progress and whether planned interventions should be continued or revised. Documents patient progress and updates nutritional plan as necessary in the electronic health record. Directs the activities of support personnel in assigned work area as needed.

Responsibilities

• Uses accurate and relevant data and information to identify nutrition‑related problems by assessing current and past information related to personal, medical, family, and psychosocial/social history.
• Assesses anthropometric indicators (e.g., height, weight, BMI, arm circumference), comparing them to reference data and individual patterns and history.
• Assesses laboratory profiles (e.g., acid‑base balance, renal function, endocrine function, inflammatory response, vitamin/mineral profile, lipid profile) and medical tests and procedures (e.g., gastrointestinal study, metabolic rate).
• Obtains, assesses, and reassesses findings from the Nutrition‑focused physical examination (NFPE) for indicators of vitamin, mineral deficiency/toxicity, edema, muscle wasting, subcutaneous fat loss, altered body composition, malnutrition, pressure injuries, oral health, feeding ability, appetite, and affect.
• Obtains food and nutrition‑related history, including food and nutrient intake, food and nutrient administration, medication and diet supplement use, knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes, food security, and readiness to change nutrition or health‑related behaviors.
• Uses reference data and standards to estimate nutrient needs, recommended body weight, BMI, and desired growth patterns.
• Collects data and reviews documentation by the dietetic technician and other health care practitioners, patients, or staff for factors that affect nutrition and health status.
• Uses collected data to identify possible problem areas for determining nutrition diagnosis; re‑evaluates and revises nutrition diagnoses per departmental standards of care.
• Bases intervention/plan of care on best available research/evidence, guidelines, and best practices; documents nutritional care plans on the interdisciplinary plan of care and updates them regularly.
• Participates in the discharge planning process, evaluating the patient’s condition from a nutritional perspective and recommending programs or procedures to enhance readiness for discharge.
• Conducts individual and group patient nutrition education both inpatient and outpatient, preparing patients and families for continued care at home.
• Provides nutrition education through seminars and workshops for physicians, other health care professionals, and professional peer groups.
• Represents Food & Nutrition Services at interdisciplinary meetings.
• Participates in patient satisfaction initiatives and department programs in customer service.
• Participates in department quality improvement programs and financial and productivity measures as requested.
• May be requested to participate in community and media programs.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Food and Nutrition or a related concentration from a U.S. accredited college or university approved by ACEND.
• Completion of an ACEND accredited supervised practice program and passing the national examination for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN) by the Commission of Dietetic Registration (CDR).
• License as a Dietitian/Nutritionist in the state of Rhode Island within three months of hire; proof of application for license to be submitted upon employment.
• Thorough understanding of the application of nutrition principles to human physiology in adult and pediatric disease states, nutrition care process, and nutritional values of food and food groups.
• Analytical ability to identify overt and potential nutritional problems and to develop nutritional plans of care.
• Strong communication skills for delivering nutrition education through formal and informal channels.
• Strong analytical and critical‑thinking skills.
• Administrative ability to direct and coordinate the delivery of quality nutrition care in assigned areas of responsibility.
• Completion of 75 hours of continuing education every five years for Commission on Dietetic Registration; 20 hours of continuing education every two years for Rhode Island LDN license.
• Membership preferred in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and related practice groups such as the Medical Nutrition Practice Group or Pediatric Nutrition Practice Group.
• Proficiency in MS Word; proficiency in MS PowerPoint and MS Excel preferred.
• One to two years of experience as a Clinical Dietitian preferred.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

Sits, stands, and walks intermittently throughout the day. Exposed to a normal patient care environment when visiting patients and meeting with other health care personnel. May be required to lift up to 10 pounds. Hazards are minimized with adherence to established safety precautions. Travel may be required to off‑site facilities.

Pay Range

Pay Range: $57,340.19 – $94,602.87

Location

Location: Rhode Island Hospital – 593 Eddy Street, Providence, Rhode Island 02903

Work Type

Work Type: M–F 8am–5pm

Work Shift

Work Shift: Day

Daily Hours

Daily Hours: 8 hours

Driving Required

Driving Required: No

EEO Statement

Brown University Health is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and maintaining a work environment free from all forms of unlawful discrimination and harassment.