Clinical Dietitians

Job Title: Clinical Dietitian (Western-Trained)

Department: Nutrition & Dietetics / Clinical Services

Reports To: Head of Nutrition & Dietetics / Medical Director

Employment Type: Full-time

Job Summary

The Clinical Dietitian provides evidence-based nutritional assessment, diagnosis, and therapy for patients across various clinical settings. The role requires a dietitian trained and credentialed under a recognized Western framework (e.g., US, UK, Canada, Australia, or EU) to ensure alignment with international clinical nutrition standards, particularly for hospitals or clinics serving an international patient base or seeking accreditation (e.g., JCI).

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive nutritional assessments of patients, including medical history, biochemical data, anthropometric measurements, and dietary intake analysis
• Develop, implement, and monitor individualized Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) plans for patients with conditions such as diabetes, renal disease, cardiovascular disease, obesity, GI disorders, oncology, and critical care needs
• Collaborate with physicians, nurses, and multidisciplinary teams to integrate nutrition care into overall treatment plans
• Manage enteral and parenteral nutrition support for inpatients, including calculation of nutritional requirements
• Provide nutrition counseling and education to patients and families, tailored to cultural, religious, and personal preferences
• Screen and identify patients at nutritional risk using validated screening tools (e.g., MUST, NRS-2002)
• Document nutrition assessments, interventions, and outcomes accurately in patient medical records (EMR)
• Participate in ward rounds and multidisciplinary case discussions
• Develop and review therapeutic diet menus in coordination with food services
• Stay updated with current evidence-based practice guidelines from recognized bodies (e.g., Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, British Dietetic Association)
• Support hospital accreditation standards (e.g., JCI) related to nutrition care processes
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives, audits, and patient safety programs
• Provide training and mentorship to junior dietitians, interns, or nutrition students
• Contribute to health promotion and community nutrition programs as needed.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Nutrition/Dietetics from an accredited Western institution (e.g., US, UK, Canada, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand)
• Completion of a supervised clinical practice/internship program (e.g., ACEND-accredited in the US, BDA-accredited in the UK)
• Registered/licensed as a dietitian in home country (e.g., RD – Registered Dietitian [US], RD – UK Health & Care Professions Council registration, APD – Australia)
• Experience with Nutrition Care Process (NCP) and MNT protocols.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong knowledge of clinical nutrition science and evidence-based dietetics
• Proficiency in nutritional assessment tools and calculation methods (e.g., Harris-Benedict, Mifflin-St Jeor)
• Excellent communication and patient education skills across diverse populations
• Cultural sensitivity and adaptability, especially in multicultural healthcare settings
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Proficiency with EMR systems and nutrition-related software
• Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team
• Fluency in English (additional languages, e.g., Arabic, often an advantageous)

Work Environment

• Hospital, clinic, or rehabilitation center setting
• May involve rotating shifts, weekend coverage, or on-call duties depending on facility needs
• Requires collaboration across nursing, medical, and food service departments