Director, Clinical Nutrition

Inova Health; Falls Church (VA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional development opportunities

Collaboration in a leading health system

Comprehensive healthcare benefits

Job summary

A leading nonprofit healthcare provider in Falls Church, Virginia is seeking a Director Clinical Nutrition to manage clinical nutrition operations, oversee quality improvement initiatives, and provide guidance to nutrition staff. Candidates should possess an RD certification, substantial professional experience, and a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree. This role emphasizes collaboration, strategic planning, and advocacy within the healthcare system, ensuring compliance with all relevant regulations.

Qualifications

• Registered Dietitian (RD) certification or equivalent upon hire.
• 8 years of related professional experience with 3 years of management experience.
• Master’s Degree required for Dietitians registered after 1/1/2024.

Responsibilities

• Lead quality improvement initiatives across clinical nutrition activities.
• Manage daily operations of clinical nutrition for multiple units.
• Coordinate development of long-range plans and annual budgets.
• Advocate for Registered Dietitians and promote Medical Nutrition Therapy.

Skills

Leadership in quality improvement

Operational oversight

Budget management

Collaboration with stakeholders

Education

Bachelor's degree or Master's degree in relevant field

Job description

Job Description

The Director Clinical Nutrition utilizes standards, guidelines and best practices for care delivery while incorporating data and information to continuously improve care/practice and enhance outcomes. The Director provides direction and guidance to others regarding practice while serving as a resource, preceptor, and mentor. Develops goals and manages fiscal department activities while ensuring compliance to all regulations set forth by Inova Health System, state/local health departments, and The Joint Commission.

Job Responsibilities

• Fosters a culture of learning that promotes career growth and professional development, and proactively seeks out and maintains collaborative relationships with key stakeholders that are integral to moving efforts of the department forward.
• Organizes, monitors, and coordinates all QA and QI activities. Acts as the unit and department leader for quality improvement.
• Oversees the daily operations of all clinical nutrition activities for multi‑units in a region.
• Ensures the effective management and maintenance of current and archived records.
• Coordinates and monitors the development of long‑range plans and annual department budgets.
• Works closely with leaders to ensure strategic goals are being communicated and met appropriately at each site of care.
• Develops work plans and schedules to ensure appropriate staffing levels.
• Oversees the total scope of clinical nutrition operations for adherence to regulatory agency requirements, institutional, and departmental policies and procedures.
• Promotes advancement of Medical Nutrition Therapy in clear terms, including financial benefits, as needed to Administration and Medical Leadership.
• Acts as an advocate for Registered Dietitians.
• Serves as a clinical management resource to hospital departments through active membership on committees.
• Performs Diet Manual and policy/procedure maintenance according to current practices, national guidelines, and best practices.
• Ensures compliance in accordance with state and the Joint Commission regulations regarding patient care and clinical nutrition.
• Oversees assigned department or functional area to ensure it is performing effectively, which may include but not limited to, preparing and implementing business strategy to achieve the organization’s goals, ensuring legal compliance, communicating and collaborating with stakeholders, managing employment decisions and contributions of supporting team members, and managing departmental budget and fiscal success.

Minimum Requirements

• Certification - Registered Dietitian (RD) or equivalent upon hire; Basic Life Support within 3 months of hire.
• Experience - 8 years of related professional experience; 3 years of management experience.
• Education - Bachelor’s degree minimum if licensed before 1/1/2024; Dietitians registered after 1/1/2024 must hold a Master’s Degree and accredited Dietetic Internship.

Preferred Requirements

• 5+ years working in an acute care/hospital setting preferably within a larger health system.
• Demonstrated success in managing teams of 15+ employees.

About Us

We are Inova, Northern Virginia’s leading nonprofit healthcare provider. Every day, our 26,000+ team members provide world‑class healthcare to the communities we serve. Our people are the reason we're a national leader in healthcare safety, quality and patient experience. And from best‑in‑class facilities to professional development opportunities, we support them at every step. At Inova, we're constantly striving to be ever better — to shape a more compassionate future for healthcare.

Inova Health System is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, pregnancy (including childbirth, pregnancy‑related conditions and lactation), race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristics protected by law.