DIETICIAN

arkansas department of health

4815 w markham street

little rock, ar 72205

position number:

county: white city: searcy

posting end date: 12/15/25

division of local public health – white county local public health unit

* classified as a safety sensitive position*

additional preferences:

frequent in-state travel required. A valid driver’s license required.

this position will serve cleburne, cross, jackson, white, and woodruff counties, as well as surrounding counties when needed.

occasional work outside of stand business hours may be required.

experience working with electronic health records or other patient/client management system preferred.

strong oral and written communication skills required.

active certification as a certified lactation counselor or similar lactation support certification preferred.

active registration with the commission on dietetic registration as a registered dietitian (rd/rdn) preferred.

hiring official: k. Staggs

the mission of the department of health is to protect and improve the health and well‑being of all arkansans.

job series: dietetics

classification: dietician – career path

class code: mdi
01p

pay grade: med
03

salary range: $59,985 - $88,778

the dietitian is responsible for managing and overseeing the nutrition care provided to residents or clients in a state government‑operated healthcare facility, including nursing homes, hospitals, or other health‑related environments. This position involves assessing nutritional needs, developing individualized meal plans, and providing nutrition education to residents, families, and staff. The dietitian ensures compliance with state and federal dietary regulations, optimizes patient health through nutrition, and supports overall healthcare objectives in collaboration with the multidisciplinary care team.

• conduct comprehensive nutritional assessments for clients, including evaluating dietary habits, health conditions, and personal preferences to develop individualized meal plans that align with their medical and cultural needs.
• collaborate with physicians, nursing staff, and other healthcare providers to assess client’s dietary requirements, particularly those with special medical needs (e.g., diabetes, cardiovascular disease, allergies, or swallowing difficulties).
• develop, implement, and monitor personalized nutrition plans, ensuring they meet medical, cultural, and dietary standards.
• provide one‑on‑one nutritional counseling for clients to educate them on healthy eating habits, disease prevention, and the importance of nutrition in managing medical conditions.
• maintain accurate and up‑to‑date records of client’s dietary needs, meal plans, and counseling sessions in compliance with state and federal documentation requirements.
• ensure that all nutritional care and food service practices comply with federal and state regulations, including the arkansas department of health and other governing bodies.

strong knowledge of clinical nutrition, including the ability to assess and develop individualized dietary plans based on medical conditions and cultural preferences. Understanding of food service operations, including menu planning, food safety, and dietary guidelines. Ability to analyze complex dietary and health‑related issues, providing effective and evidence‑based nutrition interventions and solutions. Ability to plan and modify meal plans to meet specific dietary requirements, including the use of nutrition software or systems.

a bachelor’s degree in dietetics, nutrition, or a related field from an accredited institution.

must hold a valid, unrestricted dietitian license issued by the arkansas state board of dietetics.

other job related education and/or experience may be substituted for all or part of these basic requirements, except for certification or licensure requirements, upon approval of the qualifications review committee.

the state of arkansas is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, citizenship, national origin, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by law.