Senior Dietitian
Location: Rhode Island Veterans Home (VETS)
480 Metacom Avenue, Fully Onsite
Bristol, Rhode Island 02809
Position Summary
The Senior Dietitian serves as the clinical nutrition leader for the Rhode Island Veterans
Home, overseeing all aspects of nutrition care, therapeutic diet management, and
nutrition-related regulatory compliance. This position is responsible for assessing
residents' nutritional needs, developing and implementing individualized nutrition care
plans, supervising clinical nutrition services, and collaborating with interdisciplinary
healthcare teams to promote optimal health outcomes and quality of life for Rhode
Island's veteran residents.
The Senior Dietitian also provides leadership and guidance to dietary personnel,
supports continuous quality improvement initiatives, and ensures nutrition services meet
all federal, state, and organizational standards for long-term care.
Reporting Relationship
Reports to designated facility leadership and works under general administrative
direction. Provides supervision, training, mentorship, and professional guidance to
dietitians, dietary technicians, and dietary services personnel as assigned.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
• Direct and oversee the facility's clinical nutrition and therapeutic diet programs.
• Conduct comprehensive nutrition assessments and reassessments for residents
in accordance with regulatory requirements and best practices.
• Develop, implement, monitor, and document individualized nutrition care plans.
• Collaborate with physicians, nurses, speech-language pathologists, social
workers, and other healthcare professionals to support resident care and
treatment goals.
• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings, resident care conferences, quality
assurance activities, and performance improvement initiatives.
• Monitor resident nutritional status, including weight trends, laboratory data, food
intake, hydration status, and nutrition-related risk factors.
• Provide nutrition counseling and education to residents, families, and caregivers
regarding therapeutic diets, disease management, and healthy eating practices.
• Review, develop, and evaluate menus to ensure nutritional adequacy, resident
satisfaction, and compliance with physician orders and regulatory standards.
• Assist in the management and evaluation of food service operations, including
menu implementation, sanitation practices, and meal service quality.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and accreditation standards,
including CMS, state health department regulations, and food safety
requirements.
• Supervise, train, and evaluate dietary staff and provide ongoing professional
development and education.
• Maintain accurate and timely clinical documentation and required nutrition
service reports.
• Support emergency preparedness and disaster response planning related to food
and nutrition services.
• Perform related duties as assigned.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Thorough knowledge of clinical nutrition principles, medical nutrition therapy, and
therapeutic diets.
• Knowledge of long-term care regulations, nutrition standards, and quality
assurance practices.
• Knowledge of food service management, menu planning, food safety, and
sanitation requirements.
• Ability to assess, develop, and evaluate nutrition care plans for diverse resident
populations.
• Ability to interpret medical records, laboratory data, and nutrition-related clinical
information.
• Strong leadership, supervisory, coaching, and staff development skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills.
• Ability to effectively educate residents, families, and staff.
• Proficiency in electronic health records and nutrition documentation systems.
• Ability to organize work, prioritize multiple responsibilities, and meet deadlines.
Minimum Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Dietetics, Nutrition,
Food and Nutrition, or a closely related field.
• Completion of an accredited dietetic internship or supervised practice program.
• Registration as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) or eligibility to obtain
registration within a specified period of hire.
• Experience providing clinical nutrition services in a healthcare, hospital,
rehabilitation, long-term care, skilled nursing, or institutional setting.
• Experience developing nutrition care plans and managing therapeutic diet
programs.
Equivalent combinations of education and experience that demonstrate the required
knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.
Preferred Qualifications
• Current Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credential.
• Rhode Island licensure, if required.
• Three or more years of experience in long-term care, skilled nursing, or veterans
healthcare.
• Supervisory or management experience within a clinical nutrition or dietary
services environment.
• Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) or other relevant professional certifications.
• Experience with CMS and long-term care survey processes.
Physical Requirements
• Ability to move throughout the facility and kitchen areas as needed.
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the position with or without
reasonable accommodation.
• May require standing, walking, bending, lifting, and carrying materials consistent
with the needs of a healthcare and food service environment.
• Must meet all pre-employment and ongoing health, background, and vaccination
requirements established by the Rhode Island Veterans Home and applicable regulations.