Registered Dietitian

Job Description

Job Description

Role Summary

The Registered Dietitian plays a key role in supporting the health, safety, and overall well-being of older adults by delivering compassionate, high-quality nutrition care. This role is responsible for completing comprehensive nutritional assessments, developing individualized care plans, educating patients and caregivers, and collaborating closely with the team to ensure optimal dietary outcomes. This position offers the opportunity to make a meaningful difference every day, through personalized nutrition support that helps patients maintain independence, dignity, and quality of life. Physical attendance at assigned facilities and/or patient homes may be required to meet care needs.

Duties

• Develop and implement individualized nutritional Plans of Care, reassessing at least every six months or when changes in patient condition occur.

• Conduct nutritional assessments and reassessments, evaluating patient status and identifying appropriate interventions.

• Assess patients’ access to food and coordinate referrals for meal preparation evaluations, home-delivered meals, sack lunches, and grocery assistance.

• Determine the need for liquid nutritional supplements and place orders accordingly.

• Design and implement therapeutic nutrition components of patient care plans, including specialized dining programs.

• Provide tailored dietary instruction and nutrition education to patients and caregivers; home visits may be required.

• Develop and manage nutrition care plans for high-risk patients, including recommendations for medical nutrition therapy.

• Communicate with in-home care providers regarding food supply, intake, hydration, and related concerns.

• Monitor food intake, therapeutic diets, diet modifications, and report concerns to the team.

• Review, calculate, and interpret calorie counts and food intake records, making recommendations to appropriate staff.

• Document all nutrition notes in the patient’s medical record.

• Communicate dietary updates and nutrition concerns to dietary staff, the team, patients, and caregivers.

• Provide basic nutrition and sanitation education for patients, families, caregivers, and staff.

• Assist with meal service as needed.

• Participate with the team in care planning, coordination, and monitoring of patient needs.

• Perform additional duties as assigned.

• Conduct sanitation and safety inspections of kitchen areas and equipment as needed.

• Monitor lunch and snack menus for adequacy and make adjustments when necessary.

• Maintain and update nutrition-related resources including sack lunch lists, supplement sheets, diet lists, and dining guides.

• Attend care planning meetings, family meetings, wound care discussions, and report on nutritional status as required.

• Support training and onboarding of new dietary aides and lead dietary aides.

• Participate in department development, in-service trainings, and team meetings.

• Collaborate with state food program requirements following applicable regulations.

• Contribute to the development and implementation of quality assessment and performance improvement initiatives for nutrition services.

• Other duties as assigned,

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in food science, nutrition, dietetics, or a related field from an accredited college/university.

Knowledge of medical terminology and the ability to complete written assessments and clinical documentation.

Minimum of one (1) year of experience working with frail or elderly populations.

Active certification or licensure as required by state regulations: CA

Desired Qualifications

• Bilingual proficiency is preferred.

• Experience working in a senior-care, therapeutic dining, or community-based healthcare environment is highly desirable.

Location & Work Type

On-site role with required in-person attendance at assigned facilities and/or patient homes.