Dietitian

Dietitian Clinic Damien Center Values Dignity-Collaboration-Accountability-Access-Quality-Innovation Founded in 1987, Damien Center is Indiana’s oldest and largest AIDS service organization (ASO) and serves more than 8,000 individuals living with or at risk for HIV through a comprehensive, innovative approach to care and prevention. Our purpose is to be a trusted partner in providing services, education and advocacy for all people living with or at risk for HIV and any person seeking a safe and welcoming home for care. Our services include care coordination, clinical and pharmacy services, mental health, housing, and nutrition. Position Summary The Dietitian provides evidence-based medical nutrition therapy and nutrition education to support the health and wellbeing of Damien Center clinic patients. Grounded in the belief that food is medicine, this role partners with patients and the multidisciplinary care team to assess nutrition status, address food insecurity and other barriers, and develop practical, culturally responsive nutrition plans that improve clinical outcomes and quality of life. Duties and Responsibilities This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It should not be construed as an exhaustive list of all required duties, responsibilities, and skills. Provide individualized medical nutrition therapy (MNT) to patients, integrating labs, medical history, medications, lifestyle, and patient-stated goals. Develop, implement, and regularly update patient-centered nutrition care plans grounded in the belief that food is medicine and aligned with disease prevention and management. Deliver nutrition education and counseling using trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and harm-reduction approaches (including support for patients living with HIV and other chronic conditions). Screen for food insecurity and related social needs; connect patients to internal resources and community programs (e.g., food pantry, SNAP/WIC navigation, meal assistance) in collaboration with case managers. Integrate evidence-based practices and trauma-informed care focused on individuals living with HIV, LGBTQ individuals, and other marginalized populations. Collaborate with providers, nursing, behavioral health, pharmacy, and case management to support comprehensive care planning; communicate nutrition recommendations clearly and timely. Document assessments, diagnoses, interventions, and outcomes in the Electronic Health Record (EHR) in accordance with clinic standards and payer requirements. Monitor and evaluate nutrition-related outcomes (e.g., weight trends, labs, symptoms, adherence, patient‑reported progress) and adjust plans based on response and preferences. Provide group education and community outreach presentations on nutrition, chronic disease prevention, and supportive eating strategies. Support clinic quality improvement efforts by tracking nutrition service metrics, contributing to workflows, and maintaining current knowledge of evidence-based nutrition guidelines. Periodically evaluate food pantry stock, hot meals menu, box/sack lunches distribution for health outcomes and make recommendations for changes to program staff. Educate staff to better discuss nutritional benefits directly with clients and help highlight healthy foods in the food pantry and hot meals program. Coordinate with Café Oztara and the hospitality training cohort to provide nutrition education and curriculum recommendations. Maintain professional competency and required credentials; adhere to applicable scope of practice, ethics, confidentiality, and safety standards. Other duties as assigned. Education and/or Experience Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in Nutrition, Dietetics, or a related field. Completion of an ACEND‑accredited dietetics education program and supervised practice. Credentialed as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) through the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) and eligible for (or currently holding) Indiana dietitian licensure/certification, as applicable. Minimum of 3 years of experience providing nutrition counseling and/or medical nutrition therapy in a clinical, community health, or outpatient setting preferred. Experience working with diverse populations; experience supporting individuals living with HIV strongly preferred. Working knowledge of HIV care considerations as they relate to nutrition (e.g., weight changes, metabolic conditions, medication side effects, food safety, and comorbidities) preferred. *Work or lived experience may substitute for education requirements on a case‑by‑case basis. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Demonstrated knowledge of evidence‑based nutrition guidelines and ability to provide medical nutrition therapy (MNT) across a variety of conditions (including chronic disease prevention/management). Strong patient‑centered counseling skills, including motivational interviewing and behavior change strategies; ability to explain complex information in clear, practical terms. Ability to provide culturally responsive, trauma‑informed care and adapt recommendations to patient preferences, budgets, and access to food. Proficiency with Electronic Health Records (EHR) and strong clinical documentation skills to support continuity of care and compliance requirements. Excellent interpersonal communication skills and ability to collaborate effectively with providers, nursing, behavioral health, pharmacy, and care coordination. Ability to connect patients to supportive services consistent with a food‑is‑medicine approach. Strong organizational and time management skills, including ability to manage a patient caseload, prioritize competing needs, and meet deadlines. Commitment to confidentiality and professional ethics, including HIPAA compliance; comfortable using standard office software to support communication and reporting. Other than English language proficiency preferred. Qualifications To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job function satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the basic knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The individual in this role must display the highest level of integrity and confidentiality. The individual should have effective communication skills, attention to detail and organization, and flexibility and adaptability. The individual will also maintain knowledge of trends in their area of responsibility. Physical Demands While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, reach with hands and arms, talk, and hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands to touch and handle objects. The employee frequently stands or walks. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made for individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Remote work is on a case‑by‑case basis and must be approved by the supervisor. Office setting, with sustained use of a computer. The noise level in the work environment is minimal to moderate. Individuals should maintain personal and professional competency and work to create an environment of courtesy, respect, inclusion, and positivity in all interactions both internal and external to the organization. FLSA Status: Salaried, Full‑time, Exempt Salary: $68,500 annually Benefits 150 hours of PTO in the first year followed by 195 hours per year moving forward. 12 paid holidays Medical coverage options include a PPO plan or a HDHP. Dental & Vision plans Health Saving Account or Flexible Spending Account Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account Employee Assistance Program 403b Retirement Account with 5% matching and 100% vesting after 90 days Life Insurance @ 2 times the annual salary Voluntary Life Insurance Plan including spouse and child coverage options Short- & Long-Term Disability Plans Premium Subscription to the CALM APP which assists with anxiety, stress & other mental health challenges Professional Development Opportunities Tuition Assistance Annual performance review that includes an annual performance‑based salary increase Protecting our team members, clients, volunteers, and community partners is an integral part of how we ensure our continued work with the clients we serve. As a condition of employment, Damien Center requires team members to be vaccinated against influenza and receive a tuberculosis skin test (or chest x‑ray) annually, barring an approved religious or medical exemption. Damien Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer Damien Center provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family status, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, marital status, amnesty, status as a covered veteran, other legally protected status, or genetic (including family medical history) information. Damien Center complies with applicable federal laws and with all state and local laws governing non‑discrimination in employment in every location in which Damien Center has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. #J-18808-Ljbffr