Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist (LD/LDN)/Registered Dietitian

Job Description

Job Description

Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist / Registered Dietitian

Location: Washington, DC  East of the River/Anacostia 
Organization: Unity Health Care
Employment Type: Full-Time

About Unity Health Care

At Unity Health Care, we are committed to providing high-quality, compassionate, and culturally responsive health care to individuals and families throughout Washington, DC. Our mission includes addressing the social factors that impact health and improving access to resources that support healthier communities.

Position

The Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist/Registered Dietitian works under the supervision of the Senior Director of Social Services and supports Unity Health Care’s Food Pharmacy Program. This position provides nutrition education, counseling, care planning, and program support for senior patients aged 65 and older who are diagnosed with hypertension, diabetes, and/or obesity and are also experiencing food insecurity.

Summary

The Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist/Registered Dietitian is responsible for assessing patients’ nutritional needs, identifying health and nutrition risks, providing individualized and group education, and developing practical nutrition care plans.

The position works closely with patients and members of the health care team to promote healthy eating habits, improve chronic disease management, address food insecurity, and connect patients with additional community and health-related resources.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct nutritional assessments using eating patterns, food preferences, cultural background, medical history, laboratory values, and other relevant patient information.
• Identify and prioritize nutritional and health risks based on patient needs and established clinical guidelines.
• Provide individualized and group nutrition education for senior patients managing hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and food insecurity.
• Educate patients on food prescriptions, healthy eating habits, meal planning, and practical food choices that reflect medical needs, cultural preferences, and available resources.
• Develop and implement nutrition care plans for high-risk patients based on medical history, laboratory results, dietary needs, and patient preferences.
• Provide ongoing counseling and follow-up support to encourage adherence to nutrition care plans.
• Collaborate with health care team members to support comprehensive patient care and Food Pharmacy services.
• Refer patients to food assistance programs, Medicaid, and other community or social support services as appropriate.
• Document nutrition assessments, education, counseling, care plans, referrals, and follow-up services in the patient’s medical record.
• Track patient progress and support programmatic data collection and reporting.
• Participate in Food Pharmacy Program meetings and other program-related activities.
• Stay current with evidence-based nutrition practices and applicable professional standards.
• Perform additional related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in clinical nutrition, nutrition services, nutrition, dietetics, or a related field required.
• Master’s degree strongly preferred.
• Registered Dietitian (RD) credential through the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics preferred, or eligibility to obtain the RD credential.
• Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist (LD/LDN) credential required.
• Current licensure in the District of Columbia or active licensure in another state with proof of application for District of Columbia licensure.
• Bachelor’s-level candidates must have a minimum of two years of clinical experience.
• Master’s-level candidates must have a minimum of one year of clinical experience.
• Knowledge of evidence-based nutrition practices and chronic disease management.
• Ability to provide culturally responsive nutrition education and counseling to diverse patient populations.
• Strong communication, organization, documentation, and care coordination skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary health care teams and community partners.
• Ability to balance multiple priorities and respond effectively to the needs of diverse patient populations.

Why Join Unity?

• Make a meaningful impact by helping patients manage chronic health conditions through nutrition education and access to healthy food.
• Support innovative programs that address food insecurity and other social drivers of health.
• Work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team committed to comprehensive and patient-centered care.
• Serve diverse communities throughout Washington, DC.
• Be part of an organization committed to improving health equity and access to quality care.
• Contribute to a mission-driven environment focused on compassionate care and healthier communities.