Clinical Dietitian- Med/Surg

Clinical Dietitian

The Clinical Dietitian collaborates with physicians, nurses, and interdisciplinary healthcare teams to assess, develop, implement, and monitor individualized nutrition care plans for patients across the continuum of care. This role provides evidence-based medical nutrition therapy, nutrition education, and nutrition support interventions that promote wellness, improve clinical outcomes, and support recovery from acute and chronic illnesses.

Key success measures include:

• Maintaining compliance with Clinical Nutrition Standards of Care through chart audit performance of 91% or greater.
• Providing timely nutrition assessments, interventions, and follow-up evaluations based on patient nutritional risk.
• Delivering patient and family nutrition education that supports treatment adherence and improved health outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Perform comprehensive nutrition assessments utilizing the Nutrition Care Process (NCP) and evidence-based clinical standards.
• Develop, implement, and monitor individualized nutrition care plans for patients with acute and chronic medical conditions.
• Calculate and manage enteral and parenteral nutrition support therapies based on patient-specific clinical needs.
• Evaluate nutritional status using clinical findings, laboratory values, medication profiles, dietary history, and anthropometric data.
• Identify nutrition diagnoses and recommend appropriate interventions to optimize patient outcomes.
• Educate patients and family members regarding therapeutic diets, nutrition-related disease management, and lifestyle modifications.
• Assess patient readiness to learn and adapt educational approaches based on cognitive, cultural, language, literacy, and financial considerations.
• Participate in interdisciplinary rounds and collaborate with providers, nursing staff, pharmacists, case managers, and other healthcare professionals.
• Monitor patient response to nutrition interventions and document outcomes within established timeframes.
• Provide education regarding drug-nutrient interactions and modified diet requirements.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and compliant medical record documentation.
• Support departmental quality improvement, patient safety initiatives, and clinical nutrition performance goals.
• Participate in continuing education activities and maintain required professional licensure and certifications.
• Serve as a preceptor, mentor, or educator for dietetic interns, students, and newly hired staff as assigned.
• Contribute to departmental committees, policy development, and interdisciplinary projects that enhance patient care and clinical outcomes.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Dietetics, Nutrition, Food and Nutrition, or a related field from an accredited college or university.
• Registered Dietitian (RD) credential through the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR)
• Licensed Dietitian-Nutritionist (LDN) in the State of Maryland
• One (3) or more years of clinical dietitian experience in an acute care, ambulatory, rehabilitation, or specialty care setting.
• Knowledge of medical nutrition therapy principles and standards of practice.
• Experience conducting nutrition assessments, developing care plans, and documenting clinical interventions.
• Ability to analyze information from multiple sources and apply professional judgment to complex clinical situations.

Certifications / Licenses

Required

• Registered Dietitian (RD) through the Commission on Dietetic Registration
• Maryland Licensed Dietitian-Nutritionist (LDN)

Preferred

• Specialty certification in a nutrition-related practice area (e.g., CNSC, CDCES, CSP)
• Membership in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience providing nutrition support, including enteral and parenteral nutrition management.
• Experience working with pediatric, adult, and/or geriatric patient populations.
• Prior experience participating in interdisciplinary rounds.
• Experience with quality improvement initiatives and performance metrics.
• Previous teaching, precepting, or mentoring experience.
• Familiarity with EPIC or other electronic medical record systems.
• Advanced degree in Nutrition, Dietetics, Public Health, or a related field.

Johns Hopkins Health System and its affiliates are an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, national origin, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.