PLEASE NOTE - This position may require temporarily relocation to other TONHC Facilities: Sells Hospital, Santa Rosa Health Center, San Simon Health Center, and San Xavier Health Center.

Position Summary:

Provides Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) and lifestyle counseling for the ambulatory care clinics located at the Tohono O'odham Nation Health Care clinic sites and serves as an integral team member to assist patients in managing specific disease states and conditions. This position also delivers nutrition-based services within the community setting to promote health and prevent disease through effective nutrition education and intervention strategies.

Scope of Work:

This position is located within the Nutrition and Dietetic Services Department of the Tohono O'odham Nation (TON) Sells Hospital and is one of two (2) Outpatient Dietitian positions. The incumbent's primary job is to provide MNT for the Tohono O'odham Nation's tribal members and other Native American tribes utilizing the TON Health Care ambulatory clinics for medical care. The clinics are located at the TON Sells Hospital, the TON San Xavier Health Center, the TON San Simon Health Center, and the TON Santa Rosa Health Center. The incumbent also serves as a community resource dietitian for tribal programs and agencies on nutrition-related activities. This position involves some coverage for the hospital's inpatient unit. The incumbent's work hours are 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. Some flexibility in work hours may be necessary to meet patient care needs. The Outpatient Dietitian works under the direction of the Supervisory Dietitian who provides work direction based on department priorities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: (Depending on the area of assignment, an incumbent may not be required to perform some of the duties listed below):

• Provides direct patient care services at the four (4) ambulatory clinic sites, and acts as a member of the health care team by working with physicians, nurses, social workers, and other health care providers, as well as with patients and family members, so that appropriate nutritional care is provided for the overall health of the patient.


• Follow established methods and procedures for effective nutrition consultation services. Assesses the nutritional needs of patients; develops, implements, evaluates/monitors, and documents nutritional care plans considering cultural patterns, food purchasing practices, and available resources.


• Advises and counsels patients and their families on nutritional principles, dietary plans, diet modifications, and food selection/preparation practices.


• As a member of the Nutrition and Dietetic Services Department's dietitian team reinforces nutrition information and diet instructions provided by the other dietitians to deliver a continuous and consistent message to the patient and family members.


• Actively involved in billing and collection for third-party reimbursement of MNT services. Follows established documentation and coding procedures on the MNT template upon completing the patient's appointment to ensure that the visit is billed for nutrition services.


• Assist in developing and implementing appropriate nutrition education materials, visual aids, and other materials used in teaching. Works with the other department's dietitians to implement the education materials and adapt them to current needs and intended use.


• Conduct ongoing nutrition classes at the hospital, clinics, and community settings, such as pediatric weight control classes and diabetes classes.


• Works as a community resource dietitian/consultant for tribal programs and agencies on nutrition-related activities that include but are not limited to menu development, in-service training, nutrition education classes, health fairs, nutrition-related campaigns, food demos, and MNT services.


• Provides dietitian coverage for the hospital's inpatient ward when needed.


• Participates in long-range planning and performs/reports on quality improvement activities.


• Keeps up-to-date by completing appropriate and relevant education and training sessions to ensure compliance with regulatory agencies such as the Joint Commission and CMS.


• Attends required staff meetings and other pertinent meetings; professionally represents the Nutrition and Dietetic Services Department, both internally and externally.


• Performs other job-related duties as assigned and contributes to a team effort.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of the science of food and nutrition and its roots in basic science.


• Knowledge of the human body's utilization of food and nutrients to nourish the body's needs in states of health or disease throughout the lifecycle.


• Knowledge of the application of MNT as part of the Nutrition Care Process model for managing disease states and conditions, and understanding of the standardized language for the Nutrition Care Process.


• Knowledge of Native American tribes and cultural subgroups' eating and dietary habits and developing nutrition care plans to meet the nutritional needs of culturally acceptable foods.


• Knowledge of the nutritional needs and problems of Native American tribes ranging in age from infants to elders and from a spectrum of healthy patients to those who are ill with an array of diseases, most notably diabetes.


• Knowledge of training, educational principles, and techniques applicable to teaching nutrition to the patients served.


• Knowledge of foodservice principles includes safe handling and food preparation for consumption in homes, schools, day-care centers, senior feeding sites, and other sites or establishments where food is served.


• Knowledge of federal regulations that govern programs with a nutrition component such as WIC, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, the Elderly Nutrition Program, and the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP), and knowledge of these programs design and services provided.


• Knowledge of effective communication skills includes public speaking, writing for all audiences, counseling and behavioral change techniques, and using new technology.


• Ability to establish and maintain positive and effective working relationships with other employees and the general public.


• Ability to exercise independent judgment.


• Ability to interpret applicable federal, state, county, and local laws, regulations, and requirements.


• Ability to maintain privileged, confidential information such as patient health records.


• Ability to work independently and meet strict timelines.


• Ability to travel within the interior/exterior boundaries of the Tohono O'odham Nation.


• Maintains professional knowledge by attending seminars, educational workshops, classes, and conferences, reviewing professional publications, and participating in professional associations.


• Performs other job-related duties as assigned and contributes to a team effort.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A minimum of a bachelor's degree granted by a U.S. regionally accredited college or university, or foreign equivalent that meets current minimum academic requirements (Didactic Program in Dietetics) as approved by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics; completed a supervised practice program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics


• Successfully passed the Registration Examination for Dietitians.


• A minimum of two (2) years' work experience as a registered dietitian, demonstrating the ability to perform the duties of this position.

Licenses, Certifications, Special Requirements:

• Must possess and maintain Registered Dietitian credentials by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).


• Obtain ServSafe® Certification within six to twelve months after hire.


• Upon recommendation for hire, a criminal background and a National FBI fingerprint check are required to determine suitability for employment, including a 39-month driving record.


• May require possessing and maintaining a valid driver's license (no DUIs or major traffic citations within the last three years).


• If required, must meet the Tohono O'odham Nation tribal employer's insurance requirements to receive a driver's permit to operate program vehicles.


• Based on the department's needs, incumbents may be required to demonstrate fluency in both the Tohono O'odham language and English as employment conditions.