Clinical Dietitian - Adult Outpatient

At Duke Health, we're driven by a commitment to compassionate care that changes the lives of patients, their loved ones, and the greater community. Join us at Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina—a nationally ranked hospital with 1062 patient beds, comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic facilities, a regional emergency/trauma center, and an endo-surgery center.

About the role

Duke University Health System seeks a dedicated Clinical Dietitian to embrace our mission of Advancing Health Together. This position primarily covers Adult Small Bowel Rehab in an outpatient setting. Clinical dietitians at Duke Health provide specialized medical nutrition therapy across inpatient and outpatient settings, including oncology, diabetes, weight management, and surgical preparation.

This is a full-time, 1st shift, weekday position located at Duke University Hospital, 2301 Erwin Rd, Durham, NC 27705. The role is eligible for a $5,000 commitment bonus and up to $8,000 in relocation assistance.

Responsibilities

Coordinate all phases of nutrition care, including assessment, care planning, monitoring, education, and counseling for hospitalized patients and outpatients.

• Perform duties in compliance with performance improvement plans, JCAHO, and other licensing, accrediting, and regulatory agencies.
• Evaluate, interpret, monitor, and document nutritional status and needs using established standards of care and practice guidelines.
• Provide age-specific nutrition counseling to meet cultural needs of patients and families.
• Develop, review, update, and implement educational materials for patients and professionals.
• Write orders for diet, supplements, enteral/parenteral nutrition, and laboratory data per hospital policy.
• Function as an integral member of the clinical interdisciplinary team.
• Maintain Registered Dietitian (RD) status, including continuing professional education.
• Maintain North Carolina Board of Nutrition and Dietetics licensure.
• Precept dietetic interns and provide on-the-job training for newly hired clinical staff.
• Supervise daily work of dietetic technicians (registered—provide input into evaluation but do not directly evaluate performance).
• Comply with Nutrition Services meeting and attendance standards.

Level I

• Provide nutrition services and medical nutrition therapy integrated with the patient's medical goals.

Level II

• Work in an assigned specialty area, integrating research and education into practice.
• Serve as a liaison and advocate for the profession by sharing new practice knowledge and skills.

Level III

• Demonstrate critical thinking, highly developed clinical and technical skills, and sound judgment.
• Provide expertise, oversight, and leadership in a designated specialty area, such as:
  • Student Advisor
  • Malnutrition Specialist
  • Adult Nutrition Support Specialist
  • Pediatric Nutrition Support Specialist
  • Program Coordinator
  • Clinical and Quality Specialist
  • IT Specialist
  • Outpatient Clinical Coordinator
  • Lead
  • Subject Matter Expert

Requirements

Education

• Baccalaureate degree in Food and Nutrition, Dietetics, Nutritional Sciences, Human Nutrition, or comparable major.
• Successful completion of a coordinated program or dietetic internship of at least 900 hours under the supervision of a Registered Dietitian.

Experience

• Level I: One year in an acute care environment preferred; experience may be waived for specific positions.
• Level II and III: At least 5 years of clinical experience or at least 3 years of clinical experience plus an approved, nutrition-related certification.

Licensure and Certification

• Registered Dietitian (RD) by the Commission on Dietetic Registration; candidates eligible for registration may be hired with the expectation of achieving it within 90 days of hire.
• Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist (LDN) by the North Carolina Board of Dietetics and Nutrition; provision for license-eligible dietitians as above.