Dietitian

Center for Discovery

At Discovery, we offer career opportunities nationwide in residential, day treatment, and intensive outpatient eating disorder treatment. Discovery is currently seeking Program Directors, Primary Therapists, Facility Managers, Counselors/Mental Health Specialists, Dietitians, Diet Techs, and Nurses. Discovery is specifically seeking individuals who consistently strive to provide exemplary care and are passionate about transforming the lives of others.


If you are interested in a challenging and rewarding career in the behavioral health field, the first step is to look for Open job positions that match your skills, qualifications and interest. Each posting includes a description and minimum required qualifications.


When we review candidate information, we are looking for the best matches for the position based on the qualifications listed in the job posting. If your skills and experience appear to match an open position, a recruitment services professional or hiring manager may contact you to further discuss your qualifications.


Position Summary:

As a Registered Dietitian (RD), you are a vital member of a compassionate, multidisciplinary treatment team dedicated to transforming lives. In alignment with the Discovery Behavioral Health Clinical Model, you will champion nutritional healing as an essential component of whole-person care.

In this role, you will empower patients to rebuild their relationship with food, support medical and psychological recovery, and contribute to a therapeutic environment grounded in safety, dignity, and evidence-based practice. Working under the supervision of or as a licensed Registered Dietitian, you will play a meaningful role in advancing clinical excellence while supporting patients and families through every stage of recovery.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Care & Patient Impact

• Deliver individualized, evidence-based nutrition care by assessing weight, vitals, labs, and dietary needs, developing treatment plans that support both medical stability and long-term recovery.
• Identify and communicate weekly treatment goals, ensuring alignment across the interdisciplinary team and continuity of care.
• Facilitate engaging, developmentally appropriate dietary groups that inspire insight, skill-building, and behavior change.
• Provide therapeutic meal support and milieu interventions that reinforce recovery-oriented behaviors and foster a healing environment.
• Collaborate with physicians and psychiatrists to address medical and psychiatric needs requiring nutritional intervention.

Family & Continuity of Care

• Serve as a trusted partner to families, providing consistent communication, education, and support-particularly for adolescent patients.
• Coordinate with referral sources and outpatient providers to ensure seamless transitions across all phases of care (admission, midpoint, discharge).

Program & Operational Excellence

• Support food service operations in collaboration with leadership, including inventory management, procurement, budget oversight, and adherence to safety and sanitation standards.
• Supervise Diet Technicians, when applicable, fostering a culture of accountability, growth, and clinical excellence.
• Maintain timely, high-quality clinical documentation that meets regulatory, organizational, and quality standards.
• Actively contribute to program growth through outreach, tours, and representation of the organization's clinical model.
• Participate in required trainings, competency validations, and ongoing professional development.
• Support program needs and perform additional duties as assigned.

Team Collaboration & Leadership

• Partner closely with clinical and milieu staff to ensure consistent, high-quality care and alignment with treatment philosophies.
• Provide guidance and support to staff in reinforcing therapeutic interactions with patients and families.

Eating Disorder Division

• Model and uphold a recovery-oriented environment by participating in meal support and patient engagement activities.
• Practice in alignment with evidence-based, weight-inclusive, and patient-centered frameworks such as intuitive eating, motivational interviewing, and non-diet approaches.
• Integrate these paradigms into treatment planning, patient care, and program implementation to support sustainable recovery.
• Co-facilitate family programming and dietary interventions in accordance with level-of-care expectations.

Residential Treatment (RTC)

• Provide on-call support to ensure consistent, responsive care, including timely communication regarding urgent program needs.
• Support patient transportation and supervision for appointments and activities (as qualified).
• Assist with medication-related responsibilities where permitted.

Virtual Programming

• Deliver high-quality care through secure, HIPAA-compliant virtual platforms, including assessments, sessions, groups, and meal support.
• Maintain professionalism and engagement in a virtual environment, utilizing technology to enhance patient connection and care delivery.

Knowledge, Education, Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree in an Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) approved Didactic Programs in Dietetics (DPD).
• Completion of Dietetic Internship
• Commission for Dietetic Registration (CDR) License, and state license where applicable
• One year of experience preferred in dietary services.
• Must obtain and maintain CPI certification within 90 days of hire
• Must obtain and maintain CPR, AED, and First Aid, along with ServSafe certification within 30 days of hire.
• Must maintain and possess a current Driver's License and be in good standing

Employment Status: Full-time

Schedule: Monday-Friday from 9am-5pm

Work Location: On-site - Fairfax, VA

RD Exam-eligible Dietetic Intern: $65,000.00-75,000.00 annually
Standard Compensation: $75,000.00-$85,000.00 annually

Final compensation will be determined based on experience, credentials, and alignment with the role.

Discovery Behavioral Health seeks to build a diverse staff that is reflective of the patients we serve and the communities where we work. DBH encourages multiple perspectives, experiences, and strives to hire and retain a diverse workforce.


We are proud to be an EEO employer M/F/D/V. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.