Director, Clinical Nutrition

Inova Health System; Falls Church (VA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Inova Health System in Falls Church, VA seeks a Director of Clinical Nutrition to lead clinical nutrition operations across multiple units, advancing Medical Nutrition Therapy and ensuring compliance with Joint Commission standards.

You will oversee QA/QI activities, develop strategic plans and budgets, mentor dietitians, and partner with leadership to meet patient outcome goals and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• RD or equivalent certification upon hire; BLS within 3 months.
• 8 years related professional experience; 3 years of management experience.
• Bachelor's degree required if licensed before 1/1/2024; Master's degree + accredited Dietetic Internship for licenses after 1/1/2024.

Responsibilities

• Fosters a culture of learning and collaboration with stakeholders.
• Organizes QA and QI activities; leads quality improvement.
• Oversees daily operations of clinical nutrition across multiple units.
• Maintains current and archived records.
• Develops long-range plans and annual department budgets.
• Works with leaders to meet strategic goals at all sites.
• Manages staffing plans and schedules.
• Ensures compliance with regulatory requirements and policies.
• Advocates for Medical Nutrition Therapy and the RD profession.
• Serves as a clinical management resource on hospital committees.
• Maintains Diet Manuals and policies in line with guidelines.

Skills

Leadership

Quality Assurance

Quality Improvement

Budgeting

Regulatory compliance

Mentorship

Stakeholder collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Dietetic Internship

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.