Job Description

Registered Dietitian

Department: Clinical Services
Reports To: Clinical Director/Executive Director
FLSA Status: Exempt (if applicable)

Position Summary

The Registered Dietitian (RD) is responsible for providing nutrition assessment, education, counseling, and meal planning services to clients receiving detoxification and residential treatment for substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders. The RD collaborates with the interdisciplinary treatment team to identify nutritional deficiencies, address medical and dietary concerns, and promote healthy eating behaviors that support recovery and overall wellness.

The Registered Dietitian provides individualized nutrition interventions while ensuring compliance with physician orders, therapeutic diets, accreditation standards, and applicable state and federal regulations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Nutrition Assessment

• Complete comprehensive nutrition assessments for clients identified as at nutritional risk or referred by the treatment team.
• Assess weight history, BMI, laboratory values, hydration status, appetite, food intake, gastrointestinal concerns, and nutrition-related medical conditions.
• Evaluate clients for signs of malnutrition and nutritional deficiencies commonly associated with substance use disorders.
• Recommend appropriate nutritional interventions based on assessment findings.

Individual Nutrition Counseling

• Provide individualized nutrition counseling utilizing motivational interviewing and person-centered approaches.
• Educate clients regarding the relationship between nutrition, substance use recovery, mood regulation, sleep, and overall wellness.
• Develop individualized nutrition goals that support recovery.
• Address emotional eating, disordered eating patterns, and healthy lifestyle changes when clinically appropriate.

Group Education

Facilitate psychoeducational groups including topics such as:

• Nutrition in Recovery
• Healing the Brain Through Nutrition
• Hydration and Recovery
• Blood Sugar Stabilization
• Meal Planning on a Budget
• Healthy Grocery Shopping
• Stress Eating vs. Mindful Eating
• Weight Management During Recovery
• Nutrition and Medication Interactions
• Vitamins and Nutrient Deficiencies in Substance Use Disorders

Meal Planning

• Review menus to ensure nutritional adequacy and compliance with USDA recommendations.
• Recommend modifications for therapeutic diets.
• Consult with dietary services regarding menu development.
• Monitor food quality and nutritional balance.
• Assist with special dietary accommodations.

Therapeutic Diet Management

Monitor and provide recommendations for clients requiring:

• Diabetic diets
• Cardiac diets
• Renal diets
• Low sodium diets
• High protein diets
• Weight management plans
• Food allergies and intolerances
• Vegetarian, vegan, and religious dietary needs
• Dysphagia or texture-modified diets (as applicable)

Detoxification Responsibilities

• Assess clients at increased nutritional risk during withdrawal.
• Monitor hydration and electrolyte concerns in collaboration with nursing and medical providers.
• Provide recommendations for clients experiencing nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, poor appetite, or gastrointestinal symptoms.
• Educate clients regarding nutritional recovery during acute withdrawal.

Residential Responsibilities

• Provide ongoing nutrition counseling throughout treatment.
• Monitor weight changes and nutritional progress.
• Reinforce healthy eating habits that support sustained recovery.
• Collaborate with therapists to incorporate wellness goals into treatment planning.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

• Participate in treatment team meetings as requested.
• Collaborate with physicians, nurses, therapists, case managers, and behavioral health technicians.
• Provide nutrition recommendations that support individualized treatment planning.
• Communicate nutrition-related concerns to the interdisciplinary team.

Documentation

• Complete timely nutrition assessments, progress notes, treatment recommendations, and discharge summaries as indicated.
• Document all services in the electronic medical record according to agency policy.
• Maintain documentation in compliance with Joint Commission, ASAM, state licensing, and payer requirements.

Discharge Planning

• Provide nutrition recommendations for continued recovery following discharge.
• Educate clients regarding community nutrition resources.
• Coordinate referrals for outpatient nutrition counseling when indicated.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Nutrition, Dietetics, or related field.
• Registered Dietitian (RD/RDN) credential through the Commission on Dietetic Registration.
• Current state licensure, if required.
• CPR certification preferred.
• Experience working with substance use disorders, behavioral health, or medical populations preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of nutrition-related complications associated with substance use disorders.
• Knowledge of withdrawal-related nutritional concerns.
• Familiarity with co-occurring mental health disorders.
• Understanding of ASAM Criteria and levels of care.
• Knowledge of motivational interviewing and trauma-informed care.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively within an interdisciplinary team.
• Strong documentation and organizational skills.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit, stand, and walk throughout the workday.
• Ability to facilitate educational groups.
• Ability to occasionally lift educational materials weighing up to 25 pounds.

Performance Expectations

The Registered Dietitian is expected to:

• Complete nutrition assessments within required timeframes.
• Maintain timely and accurate documentation.
• Provide evidence-based nutrition education.
• Collaborate effectively with the interdisciplinary team.
• Maintain compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards.
• Promote client-centered, recovery-oriented care.
• Support the organization's mission, values, and commitment to quality improvement.

Meal Planning and Food Service Coordination

• Develop, implement, and maintain rotating menus that meet USDA Dietary Guidelines, therapeutic dietary needs, and the nutritional requirements of clients in detoxification and residential treatment.
• Create seasonal and cyclical menus that provide balanced nutrition while incorporating client preferences, cultural considerations, and variety.
• Coordinate directly with the contracted caterer or food service vendor regarding menu planning, meal preparation, portion sizes, food substitutions, and special dietary requests.
• Review menus regularly to ensure compliance with physician-ordered therapeutic diets, food allergies, religious dietary restrictions, vegetarian/vegan requests, and other medically necessary accommodations.
• Monitor meal quality, nutritional adequacy, and client satisfaction, making recommendations for menu modifications as needed.
• Conduct routine reviews of food service operations to ensure meals are served safely, timely, and in accordance with applicable health department, licensing, and accreditation standards.
• Collaborate with nursing, medical providers, and the interdisciplinary treatment team to address nutrition-related concerns that arise during treatment.
• Provide the caterer with updated dietary modifications and therapeutic diet orders in a timely manner to ensure appropriate meal preparation.
• Evaluate trends in client feedback regarding meals and implement quality improvement initiatives to enhance nutritional services and overall client satisfaction.
• Develop nutrition-related policies and procedures pertaining to food service, therapeutic diets, hydration, and nutritional support within the facility.
• Assist administration in developing food service budgets by providing recommendations regarding menu planning, cost-effective meal options, nutritional quality, and vendor performance.
• Participate in meetings with the caterer as needed to review menu compliance, discuss operational concerns, and ensure food services continue to support the organization's mission of providing recovery-oriented, evidence-based care.