Registered Dietitian Nutritionist - FT-DIET

Forefront; Traverse City (MI); On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Forefront seeks a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist to lead clinical nutrition services across assigned communities, ensuring safe, nutritionally appropriate meal programs and regulatory compliance. You will collaborate with Culinary, Nursing, Operations, and Leadership to drive clinical excellence and resident well-being.

You will conduct assessments, develop care plans, monitor outcomes, and participate in QAPI initiatives.

Qualifications

• Must be a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN).
• Lead clinical nutrition services and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Collaborate with Culinary, Nursing, Operations, and Leadership teams.

Responsibilities

• Conduct nutrition assessments, develop care plans, and monitor residents/patients.
• Ensure therapeutic diets are implemented accurately and consistently.
• Provide nutrition counseling to residents, families, and care teams.
• Participate in interdisciplinary care plan meetings and clinical rounds.
• Track nutrition-related quality indicators and support audits and QAPI initiatives.
• Travel is expected for day trips or overnight travel.

Skills

Leadership

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Nutrition Counseling

Quality Improvement

Education

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

Job description

Forefront is dedicated to enhancing lives through exceptional culinary and support services. As a leader on our team, you play a vital role in driving operational success within a healthcare environment. Through our core values Tenacity, Integrity, Creativity, Service Excellence, Safety, and Caring, you will lead teams, ensure high-quality service delivery, and help create a clean, safe, and healing environment for all.

If you are passionate about leading people, developing teams, and making a meaningful impact, we invite you to join us.

Why You’ll Love Leading With Us

• Supportive Culture: Collaborate with a leadership team that values input, accountability, and continuous improvement
• Growth-Focused: Access to leadership development, Lean Six Sigma opportunities, and career advancement pathways
• Comprehensive Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k), pet insurance, and unlimited PTO

The Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) is responsible for leading all clinical nutrition services within assigned communities, ensuring residents, patients, and clients receive safe, nutritionally appropriate, and high-quality meal programs aligned with medical, regulatory, and wellness standards.

This role partners closely with Culinary, Nursing, Operations, and Leadership teams to support clinical excellence, regulatory compliance, resident satisfaction, and overall wellness outcomes.

Clinical Nutrition & Resident Care

• Conduct nutrition assessments, develop care plans, and provide ongoing monitoring for residents/patients
• Ensure therapeutic diets are implemented accurately and consistently
• Provide nutrition counseling to residents, families, and care teams as appropriate
• Participate in interdisciplinary care plan meetings and clinical rounds
• Monitor nutrition-related indicators including weight changes, intake, labs, and hydration

Regulatory Compliance & Quality Assurance

• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations (CMS, state health departments, etc.)
• Maintain compliance with survey readiness, audits, and documentation standards
• Develop and maintain nutrition policies, procedures, and documentation standards
• Support corrective action plans related to nutrition, food service, and clinical compliance

Menu Development & Culinary Collaboration

• Partner with culinary leadership to develop menus that meet nutritional, regulatory, and therapeutic standards
• Review and approve menus, recipes, and nutritional analysis
• Ensure special diets, allergies, and texture-modified diets are safely and appropriately managed
• Support resident-centered dining initiatives and wellness-focused programs

Training & Education

• Therapeutic diets
• Food allergies and intolerances
• Dysphagia and texture-modified diets
• Hydration and malnutrition prevention
• Support ongoing competency development for food service teams

Performance Improvement & Data Management

• Track and report nutrition-related quality indicators
• Participate in QAPI / Performance Improvement initiatives
• Support audits, documentation reviews, and quality improvement projects

Travel

• Travel is expected and may include day trips or overnight travel by car or plane.

Other

• Responsible for acting in conformance with all facility and departmental policies and procedures including those relating to Human Resources, Code of Ethics and Business Conduct, Health and Safety regulations, Compliance requirements, Patient Rights, Confidentiality, and HIPAA. Responsible for acting in conformance with accrediting agency standards.
• Attends department meetings as required.
• Demonstrates accountability to accept responsibility for personal/professional growth and any required certification/licenses, if applicable.
• Completes mandatory training and competencies annually.

This is an exempt salaried position, with expected hours to include: days, evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Forefront will not discriminate based on race, color, sex, height, weight, disability, national origin, religion, marital status, pregnancy, military service, genetics, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or any other protected class in its hiring practices, conditions for transfer or promotion, policies, discipline, discharge, terms, conditions or benefits of employment.