Senior Dietitian & Nutritionist - Clinical Specialist

Placements24; Bloemfontein; Hybrid; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement fund contributions

Professional development allowances

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Dietitian to lead clinical nutrition services in a Bloemfontein hospital group. You will assess nutrition status, develop evidence-based interventions, and guide patients, families, and healthcare teams.

The role requires supervision of junior staff and contribution to policy and research initiatives. The ideal candidate has a Master's in Nutrition and Dietetics, RD registration with HPCSA, and at least six years of progressive clinical experience, including

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from an accredited university.
• Registered Dietitian (RD) status with the HPCSA.
• Minimum 6 years of progressive clinical experience as a Dietitian.
• Experience in complex patient populations and critical care settings.
• Experience supervising or managing other healthcare professionals is highly desirable.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and patient education skills.
• Proficiency in using electronic health record systems and nutrition assessment software.
• Commitment to evidence-based practice and continuous professional development.

Responsibilities

• Conduct in-depth nutritional assessments for patients with complex medical conditions, including evaluation of dietary intake, anthropometrics, biochemical data, and clinical signs.
• Develop, implement, and monitor individualized nutrition care plans in collaboration with the medical team.
• Provide medical nutrition therapy for acute and chronic diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, renal disease, gastrointestinal disorders, and cancer.
• Manage specialized nutrition support, including enteral and parenteral nutrition, assessing needs, calculating requirements, and monitoring tolerance and effectiveness.
• Educate patients and their families on therapeutic diets, lifestyle modifications, and self-management strategies for their condition.
• Supervise and mentor junior dietitians, dietetic interns, and support staff, ensuring high standards of practice.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of clinical guidelines, protocols, and quality improvement projects within the nutrition department.
• Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings, providing expert input on patient nutrition status and recommendations.
• Stay current with the latest scientific research and advancements in clinical nutrition and dietetics.
• Engage in community outreach or health promotion activities as required by the hospital.

Skills

Clinical nutrition

Leadership

Medical nutrition therapy

Communication

Critical thinking

Education

Master's degree in Nutrition and Dietetics

Registered Dietitian (RD) with HPCSA

Tools

EHR systems

Nutrition assessment software

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent hospital group in Bloemfontein , is seeking an experienced Senior Dietitian to lead their clinical nutrition services. This crucial role involves managing complex nutritional care for patients across various medical departments, including critical care, oncology, cardiology, and gastroenterology. You will be responsible for assessing nutritional status, developing evidence-based nutritional interventions, and providing expert guidance to patients, families, and healthcare teams. As a senior member of the department, you will also play a key role in supervising junior dietitians, contributing to departmental policy development, and engaging in research and quality improvement initiatives. The ideal candidate is a highly knowledgeable, compassionate, and analytical professional with a proven track record in clinical dietetics, committed to optimizing patient outcomes through personalized nutrition therapy. We are looking for a leader who can advocate for the importance of nutrition in healthcare and foster a collaborative approach to patient management.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct in-depth nutritional assessments for patients with complex medical conditions, including evaluation of dietary intake, anthropometrics, biochemical data, and clinical signs.
• Develop, implement, and monitor individualized nutrition care plans in collaboration with the medical team.
• Provide medical nutrition therapy for acute and chronic diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, renal disease, gastrointestinal disorders, and cancer.
• Manage specialized nutrition support, including enteral and parenteral nutrition, assessing needs, calculating requirements, and monitoring tolerance and effectiveness.
• Educate patients and their families on therapeutic diets, lifestyle modifications, and self-management strategies for their condition.
• Supervise and mentor junior dietitians, dietetic interns, and support staff, ensuring high standards of practice.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of clinical guidelines, protocols, and quality improvement projects within the nutrition department.
• Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings, providing expert input on patient nutrition status and recommendations.
• Stay current with the latest scientific research and advancements in clinical nutrition and dietetics.
• Engage in community outreach or health promotion activities as required by the hospital.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Nutrition and Dietetics or a related field from an accredited university.
• Registered Dietitian (RD) status with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).
• A minimum of 6 years of progressive clinical experience as a Dietitian, with demonstrated experience in complex patient populations and critical care settings.
• Proven expertise in medical nutrition therapy for a wide range of diseases.
• Experience in supervising or managing other healthcare professionals is highly desirable.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and patient education skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment.
• Commitment to evidence-based practice and continuous professional development.
• Proficiency in using electronic health record systems and nutrition assessment software.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary package commensurate with experience and qualifications, along with excellent benefits including comprehensive medical aid, retirement fund contributions, and professional development allowances. This role provides significant opportunities for leadership, professional growth, and contribution to clinical excellence. You will work within a dynamic and supportive healthcare environment, collaborating with a dedicated team of professionals. The position offers the chance to make a substantial impact on patient recovery and long-term health outcomes. Enjoy the professional satisfaction of working in a leading medical institution committed to high standards of patient care and continuous improvement.