Clinical Dietitian

Job Description

Palomar Health Rehabilitation Hospital

Job Title: Registered Dietitian
Job Type: PRN (as needed), Non-Exempt

Wage Rate (PRN): $45/hour

Position Summary

Provides clinical nutrition services for hospitalized patients, including assessment, care planning, education, and discharge coordination. Oversees menu management and staff education related to therapeutic diets, allergens, and nutrition standards. Actively supports regulatory survey readiness and on-site survey activities to ensure compliance.

Essential Functions

• Participate in the survey process: guide staff on conduct and disclosure, maintain an on-site presence with surveyors, coordinate timely information requests, and initiate corrective action during surveys as appropriate; collaborate with hospital departments to develop plans of correction.
• Conduct initial nutrition assessments and reassessments for all admitted patients; prioritize high-risk referrals per policy.
• Ensure complete and timely documentation (assessments, care plans, education, discharge planning) in accordance with hospital policy and regulatory standards.
• Provide oversight of the menu management process to align offerings with therapeutic diet orders and patient needs.
• Educate managers and staff on therapeutic diets, food allergens, and related topics; serve as a subject-matter resource.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional Information

Collaborates with physicians, nursing, speech therapy, case management, and Food & Nutrition Services to optimize patient outcomes and experience. Supports performance improvement initiatives, audit readiness, and policy updates related to clinical nutrition and food service operations. Maintains patient safety and privacy; follows infection prevention and allergen-control practices.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Education: Bachelor's degree or higher in Dietetics or a nutrition-related field.

Credentials/Licensure: Registered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration; state license/certification if required.

Experience: Prior acute-care experience preferred.

Skills: Clinical nutrition assessment and care planning; clear documentation; knowledge of therapeutic diets and allergen management; effective teaching/presentation skills; ability to collaborate across disciplines; strong organization and follow-through; survey readiness and compliance awareness.

About Us

Lifepoint Health is a leader in community-based care and driven by a mission of Making Communities Healthier. Our diversified healthcare delivery network spans 29 states and includes 63 community hospital campuses, 32 rehabilitation and behavioral health hospitals, and more than 170 additional sites of care across the healthcare continuum, such as acute rehabilitation units, outpatient centers and post-acute care facilities. We believe that success is achieved through talented people. We want to create places where employees want to work, with opportunities to pursue meaningful and satisfying careers that truly make a difference in communities across the country.

About the Team

We employ and provide care to people from all walks of life. We are committed to promoting healing, providing hope, preserving dignity and producing value with an inclusive workforce in which diversity is leveraged, respected, and reflective of the patients, family members, customers and team members we serve.