Inpatient Dietitian

UPMC; Harrisburg (Dauphin County); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

UPMC is seeking a nutrition professional to provide nutrition-focused care for hospitalized patients. New graduates welcome to apply and pursue a career ladder within the nutrition team.

The role emphasizes comprehensive MNT, diagnosis, education, and interdisciplinary collaboration with a focus on quality care and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• RD certification timing varies: before 1/1/2026 requires bachelor's; on/after 1/1/2026 requires master's.
• Registered Dietitian licensure and state approvals are required.
• Proficiency in documenting and following billing guidelines for nutrition care.

Responsibilities

• Provide quality patient care using Medical Nutrition Therapy with assessment, goals, and plan of care.
• Serve as nutrition liaison/expert to units/committees for care-process improvements.
• Communicate effectively as part of the interdisciplinary care team.
• Ensure outpatient billing documentation complies with regulatory requirements.

Skills

Medical Nutrition Therapy

Nutrition Diagnosis

Education

Registered Dietitian (RD) certification

Bachelor's degree in Nutrition or Dietetics

Master's degree in Nutrition or Dietetics (post-2026 requirement)

Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist (LDN)

Act 34 clearance

Job description

New graduates welcome to apply!

Purpose

To provide nutrition-related expertise in the interdisciplinary team management of all hospitalized patients.

Responsibilities

• Provide quality patient care to diverse patient populations using Medical Nutrition Therapy to include assessment, goals and plan of care.
• Accountable as nutrition liaison/expert to assigned units &/or committees responding to needs and initiatives for nutrition care process improvement.
• Demonstrate effective communication methods as a collaborative member of the interdisciplinary care team.
• As required, knowledgeable about outpatient billing guidelines and performs necessary documentation to ensure compliance of client charges with regulatory requirements.
• Formulate a Nutrition Diagnosis and identify Malnutrition through application of Nutrition Focused Physical Assessment and the nationally established criteria for identification of malnutrition.
• Provide appropriate nutritional education and counseling based upon patient/family learning needs and abilities.
• As required, demonstrate professional writing skills adaptable to all health literacy levels in preparing materials, presentations and other communications.
• Provide timely interventions as determined by Nutrition Risk level and the Plan of Care.
• Participate in department-based Quality Process Improvement activities with an ability to actively endorse evidence-based practice.
• Appropriate execution of order writing as governed by the Dietitian Delegation Order system protocol.

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances

• Final candidates will be selected for a job title within the career ladder that reflects level of education, experience and manager discretion at time of offer.
• For individuals who obtained their Registered Dietitian (RD) certification prior to January 1, 2026, a bachelor's degree in nutrition or Dietetics is required.
• For individuals who obtained their Registered Dietitian (RD) certification on or after January 1, 2026, a master's degree in a Nutrition or Dietetics is required.

Registered Dietitian within 6 months of hire. Licensed Dietitian within 9 months of hire.

• Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist (LDN)
• Registered Dietitian (RD)
• Act 34

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran