Nutritionist

Job Location:

Central Clinic - Laredo, TX 78041

Counsel individuals and groups on nutritional practices designed to prevent and manage disease and promote good health. Evaluate individual needs, develop nutrition care plans, instruct individuals and families, perform nutrition screenings, and offer advice on diet-related concerns such as weight loss, cholesterol, diabetes, and other chronic diseases/conditions.

Supervised by Chief of Clinical Services for operations and by a Registered Dietitian for clinical purposes.

Requires prolonged sitting, standing, long hours, lifting up to 25 pounds. Travel required.

• Assess nutritional needs, diet restrictions, and current health plans to develop and implement dietary care plans and provide nutritional counseling.
• Consult with physicians and health-care personnel to determine nutritional needs and diet restrictions of patients.
• Advise patients and their families on nutritional principles, dietary plans and diet modifications, and food selection and preparation.
• Counsel individuals and groups on basic rules of good nutrition, healthy eating habits, and nutrition monitoring to improve quality of life.
• Develop policies related to diet and nutrition for disease-management programs to assist in health promotion and disease control.
• Develop curriculum and prepare manuals, visual aids, course outlines, and other materials used in teaching.
• Coordinate diet counseling services.
• Plan and conduct training programs in dietetics and nutrition for health-care personnel, health promoters, and the general public.
• Function as part of a team while being self-motivated and self-directed.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of patient information and records.
• Serve as resource and nutrition specialist for the behavioral health program and the Diabetes Self-Management Education Program staff.
• Support the CMO in program development, implementation, and oversight.
• Interact successfully with people from diverse backgrounds and occupations.
• Travel to all four clinic sites as requested.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in nutrition, health sciences, or a related field.
• Three years’ experience in nutritional education and disease-management teaching/counseling.
• Active affiliation with appropriate dietetic networks and organizations (e.g., American Dietetic Association, Texas Dietetic Association).
• Current BLS certificate.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred.

• Above average oral and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of goals and general methods of practices used by other professionals, including teaching skills.
• Ability to exercise good judgment.
• Managerial-level computer skills in a Microsoft Windows environment, including Excel and database management and record-keeping.
• Evidence of a high level of confidentiality practice.
• Excellent organizational skills.