HIV Wellness Nutritionist (Term), Grade 21

Montgomery County (MD); Silver Spring, Rockville (MD, MD); On-site; USD 73,000 - 94,000; Full time

Job summary

Montgomery County is seeking a Nutritionist to join the HIV wellness team within Public Health Services. You will deliver Medical Nutrition Therapy to people living with HIV and help address immune recovery and metabolic health.

The role requires a Bachelor's in Nutrition or Dietetics, 3 years of experience, and state licensure. You will collaborate with physicians, nurses, social workers, and case managers, and support nutrition outreach within the community.

Qualifications

• Three (3) years of professional experience in nutrition.
• Bachelor's Degree in Nutrition or Dietetics from an accredited college or university.
• Maryland State Dietetic License is mandatory at time of appointment; CNS/CDR accepted in lieu of license.

Responsibilities

• Manage Medical Nutrition Therapy services for Ryan White eligible PLWH.
• Conduct nutritional assessments including BMI, body composition, lipid profiles, and glucose.
• Develop individualized care plans for weight management and co-morbidities.
• Provide side-effect management and nutrition education for ARV-related issues.
• Coordinate nutrition care with interdisciplinary teams and community resources.

Skills

Medical Nutrition Therapy

Nutritional Assessments

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Cultural competence

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Nutrition or Dietetics

Job description

Please note : The salary range above represents this position’s earning potential. The anticipated hiring range for this position will be $72,567 to $93,965, based on the candidate’s qualifications and experience.

This is a re-announcement. The status of applicants who previously applied will remain the same.

This position is a one-year term position, scheduled to end on July 1, 2027. Continued employment in this position is contingent upon renewal of the term.

WHO WE ARE

Montgomery County is located adjacent to Washington, D.C., and with over one million residents, is the most populous County in the State of Maryland. The County is also the most diverse County in the State and ranks among the top ten most diverse Counties in the nation. Montgomery County is home to many major U.S. government offices, scientific research and learning centers, and business campuses.

Department of Health and Human Services is responsible for delivery of the County’s public health and human services that meets the needs of our community’s most vulnerable children, adults and seniors. The Department provides services through more than 120 programs at more than 20 locations. With over 2,000 employees, the Department of Health and Human Services is the largest County Department.

As a department, we believe the health and wellness of the county can only be achieved by ensuring that every resident has fair opportunities to reach their fullest potential. This means access to quality housing, transportation, education, employment, health care, human services, safe neighborhoods, and healthy food. HHS provides critical services to residents facing a variety of obstacles to achieving their full potential. HHS plays an essential role in building a healthy and strong community.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Public Health Services is currently seeking an innovative Nutritionist to join our clinical team at the forefront of HIV wellness. The ideal candidate is an expert in Medical Nutrition Therapy who is eager to manage the evolving needs of people living with HIV—from supporting immune recovery to addressing long-term metabolic health. If you are ready to use your clinical skills to make a life-changing difference in a supportive and high-impact environment, we invite you to apply.

Nutritionists in HIV clinics within health departments play a critical role in managing the health of people living with HIV (PLWH) through Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) and public health advocacy. Their responsibilities generally bridge clinical care and community resource management.

Main responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Clinical Care and Counseling

• Management and implementation of Medical Nutrition Therapy services to Ryan White eligible persons living with HIV
• Conduct Nutritional Assessments: Evaluate patients' nutritional status, including body mass index (BMI), body compartment estimates, and biochemical data such as lipid profiles and blood glucose levels.
• Develop Individualized Care Plans: Create tailored nutrition plans to manage weight loss, wasting, and co-morbidities like diabetes, heart disease, or hypertension.
• Provide Side-effect Management: Educate patients on managing side effects of ARV’s, including gastrointestinal issues, lipodystrophy, and drug-nutrient interactions.
• Food Safety Education: Teach severely immunocompromised patients about preventing foodborne illnesses through proper food handling.

Program Coordination and Community Support

• Coordinate Food Assistance: Refer eligible Ryan White patients to community food resources, food pantries, or other programs.
• Facilitate Group Education: Design and lead workshops focused on healthy eating on a budget and general wellness.
• Oversee Specialized Food Programs: Manage \"food prescription\" programs or supplemental voucher systems for high-risk participants.
• Oversight and management of Ryan White funded grocery gift cards

Professional Duties

• Collaborate with Interdisciplinary Teams: Work alongside physicians, case managers, and nurses.
• Document and Monitor Progress: Maintain detailed medical records of patient assessments, interventions, and outcomes.
• Stay Current on Research: Continuously update clinical practices based on the latest HIV and nutritional science research.

Experience: Three (3) years of professional experience in the field of nutrition.

Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in Nutrition or Dietetics.

Equivalency: an equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.

LICENSE:

• Possession of a valid license to practice dietetics issued by the Maryland State Board of Dietetic Practice.
• Possession of the nationally recognized Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) or Certification for Nutrition Specialist (CNS) will be accepted in lieu of the Maryland State Dietetic License for applicants applying for a Nutritionist position with the County; however, possession of the Maryland State Dietetic License is mandatory at time of appointment.
• Note: There will be no substitutions for this section.

Medical Protocol: This position requires completion of a pre-employment Medical History Form to assess your ability to safely perform the essential duties of the role.

The applications of those individuals meeting the minimum qualifications will be reviewed to determine the extent, relevancy of training, and experience in the following areas:

• Experience providing Medical Nutrition Therapy for people living with HIV.
• Experience conducting comprehensive nutritional assessments and developing individualized care plans using clinical and laboratory indicators.
• Experience counseling clients from diverse communities through culturally responsive nutrition approaches.
• Experience coordinating nutrition care with interdisciplinary teams such as physicians, nurses, social workers, or case managers.
• Experience working in HIV clinical or HIV related public health settings.
• Experience integrating social determinants of health, including food insecurity and other social needs, into nutrition care.