Clinical Dietitian - High Risk Dept

High Risk Clinical Dietitian

At Driscoll Children's Hospital, we're proud to be the first free-standing pediatric hospital in South Texas, serving children and adolescents of Corpus Christi and surrounding communities. We are devoted to providing expert care, education, outreach and advocacy until all children are well.

The High Risk Clinical Dietitian focuses on direct patient care for infants and children aged 0 to 3 years. You will work in an outpatient setting, providing evidence-based medical nutrition therapy to former NICU graduates and other high-risk patients. Your role will involve conducting thorough nutritional assessments, formulating care plans, and educating patients, families, and healthcare teams on nutritional interventions.

Additional Responsibilities Based on Level:

• Dietitian Graduate (Registration Eligible) - Designed for developing practitioners actively preparing for credentialing through the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). Dietitian Graduates work under the supervision of a credentialed Registered Dietitian (RD) and gain hands-on clinical experience applying nutrition principles in pediatric care. This role supports a successful transition to a Registered Dietitian (RD/RDN) position.
• Level I Dietitians focus on developing foundational skills, gaining clinical experience, and contributing to patient care under general supervision
• Level II Dietitians demonstrate a higher level of autonomy, routinely handle complex cases, serve as a resource across the system, contribute to quality initiatives, and may precept interns or junior team members
• Level III Dietitians - Serves as a clinical and professional expert with the highest level of authority in nutrition practice. Leads complex patient care, ensures consistency in evidence-based practice, mentors staff, and represents the department in interdisciplinary and organizational initiatives.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's degree or higher in nutrition or related field from an ACEND-accredited program
• Preferred: Bilingual in English and Spanish
• Graduate Dietitian or Clinical Dietitian Level I:
• Completion of ACEND-accredited Dietetic Internship.
• New graduate to 3 years experience.
• Level II:
• Minimum of 3 years (6,240 hours) of direct clinical nutrition care
• Preferred: Master's degree or specialty certification (e.g., CSP, CSPCC, RDN-AP)
• Level III:
• Minimum 6 years' experience in nutrition care, education, counseling, private practice, community/public health, school system, long-term care or related field with valid NDTR credential or other professional designation.
• Preferred: Master's degree or specialty certification (e.g., CSP, CSPCC, RDN-AP) preferred
• Preferred: Experience in specialized pediatric programs (e.g., NICU, oncology, feeding disorders)

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

• All Dietitian Levels (Graduate, I, II, III) must obtain:
• Food Manager/Food Safety Certification within 90 days of hire
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification within 90 days of hire
• Valid, unrestricted driver's license
• Dietitian Graduate Registration Eligible:
• Schedule first available CDR exam within 30 days of start date or upon receipt of Verification Statement.
• Pass the CDR credentialing exam and obtain Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) Certification within one (1) year of hire.
• State licensure by the Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation (TDLR), must obtain licensure within 30 days of receiving CDR credential. Failure to meet credentialing or licensure requirements within the specified timeframes may result in termination.
• Clinical Dietitian (Levels I, II, III):
• Current Registered Dietitian (RD/RDN) credential through the CDR
• Obtain Texas state licensure (TDLR) within 90 days of hire
• Preferred for Level II or III: Advanced or specialty certification (e.g., RDN-AP, CSP, CSPCC)

Driscoll Children's Hospital