IMH Registered Dietitian II

Job Description

Be a part of a world-class academic healthcare system,
UChicago Medicine
, as a Registered Dietitian II (Bariatric Dietitian) in the Clinical Nutrition Department
.

As a core member of our world-class academic healthcare system, the Bariatric Registered Dietitian II guides patients through the entire weight management and bariatric surgery process, from initial evaluation and surgical preparation to long-term post-operative care and weight maintenance. This position focuses on supporting medical weight management and bariatric surgery patients, ensuring positive outcomes and sustainable, evidence-based lifestyle changes. The dietitian collaborates with a multidisciplinary team and follows all regulatory, accrediting, and licensing requirements and quality improvement initiatives.

• Provide evidence-based medical nutrition therapy (MNT), education, and counseling for patients before and after bariatric surgery in both individual and group settings.
• Conduct comprehensive pre-operative nutrition assessments, including:
  • Escalate concerns to bariatric team when:
    Red flags are identified (non-adherence, medical instability, disordered eating).
  • Weight history, diet history, and dietary and lifestyle patterns
  • Disordered eating screening
  • Readiness for surgery and lifestyle change as well as compliance potential
  • Micronutrient risk and baseline supplementation
• Monitor patient progress through regular supervised weight loss visits (individual and group sessions)
• Deliver structured pre-op and post-op education in both individual and group settings on:
  • Diet phases and progression
  • Protein, hydration, and vitamin/mineral supplementation
  • Long-term behavioral and lifestyle modification
• Develop and implement individualized nutrition care plans that are culturally sensitive and compassionate to our diverse patient population
• Provide longitudinal post-op follow-up at defined intervals
• Track attendance/compliance for insurance prior-authorization documentation
• Deliver ongoing, long-term patient follow-up to monitor nutritional status, manage clinical issues (e.g. nausea, intolerances, dumping syndrome), guide expectations, and support dietary changes.
• Identify and manage: malnutrition, nutrient deficiencies, dumping syndrome, intolerance, dehydration, and poor intake.
• Order, evaluate, interpret and monitor nutrition labs and guide vitamin/mineral supplementation to prevent deficiencies
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team (bariatric surgeons, program staff, behavioral health, and allied health professionals) to ensure comprehensive patient care
• Use computer programs to access information and communicate with other members of the interdisciplinary team
• Document clinical care according to organizational guidelines
• Plan and lead monthly group support sessions for pre- and post- operative patients; foster a supportive community
• Develop, review, update and implement educational materials for bariatric patients and staff
• Participate in bariatric program educational and promotional activities
• Assist with quality improvement plans and maintain accreditation standards, specifically for the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation & Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP)
• Engage in opportunities for bariatric nutrition research including healthcare disparities and access to care initiatives, quality initiatives, patient safety efforts, and healthcare delivery science.
• May attend national conferences or continuing education events, as appropriate
• Perform other duties as assigned

• BS/BA in Nutrition, Dietetics or other relevant major with completion of didactic program in dietetics.
• MS degree in Nutrition, Dietetics, or other relevant major or a specialty certification relevant to the position (e.g. Certified Specialist in Pediatrics, Certified Nutrition Support Clinician, Certified Specialist in Oncology, Certified Specialist in Renal)
• Registered Dietitian (RD) by the Commission on Dietetic Registration
• Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist (LDN) by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Professional Regulation
• Licensed Dietitian (LD) by the Indiana Professional…