Registered Dietitian Nutritionist - PT-DIET-PT

fhcexternal; Saginaw (MI); On-site; USD 62,000 - 69,000; Full time

Job summary

Forefront is dedicated to enhancing lives through exceptional culinary and support services. The Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) leads all clinical nutrition services within assigned communities, ensuring residents, patients, and clients receive safe, nutritionally appropriate meal programs.

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

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition, Dietetics, or related field required.
• Experience in senior living, long-term care, hospital, or healthcare setting preferred.
• Strong knowledge of CMS, state, and regulatory nutrition requirements.
• Excellent communication, organization, and interdisciplinary collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead clinical nutrition services within assigned communities.
• Conduct nutrition assessments, develop care plans, and monitor progress.
• Ensure therapeutic diets are implemented accurately and safely.
• Collaborate with Culinary, Nursing, Operations, and Leadership teams.

Skills

Communication

Organization

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Education

Bachelors in Nutrition

Masters preferred

Job description

Forefront is dedicated to enhancing lives through exceptional culinary and support services. As a member of our team, you play an important role in maintaining a clean, safe, and comfortable environment in a healthcare setting. Guided by our core values Tenacity, Integrity, Creativity, Service Excellence, Safety, and Caring, you help support healing and well-being for those we serve. If you are looking for flexible work and a meaningful role, we would love to have you on our team.

Why You’ll Love Working With Us:

• Supportive Culture: Be part of a team that values respect, teamwork, and reliability
• Flexible Scheduling: Schedules designed to support work-life balance
• Meaningful Work: Make a positive impact in a healthcare environment every day
• Compensation: $45 - $50 per hour

Position Summary/Objective

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.

Essential Functions and Duties

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

Provide training and education to culinary, nursing, and caregiving teams on:

• 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.

General Responsibility as Required for Position

• 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.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

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.

Education/Experience/Training

Bachelors degree in Nutrition, Dietetics, or related field required (Masters preferred)

Experience in senior living, long-term care, hospital, or healthcare setting preferred

Strong knowledge of CMS, state, and regulatory nutrition requirements

Excellent communication, organization, and interdisciplinary collaboration skills

License and Certification

Licensed or eligible for licensure in the applicable state(s)

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credential through the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR)