About this role
We are so glad you are interested in joining Sutter Health!
Organization
PAMF-Palo Alto Medical Foundation PAD
Position Overview
Provides care to one or more of the following patient populations:
- Provides Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) or Diabetes Self-Management Education/Training (DSMT) to patients where an advanced credential is a department requirement.
- Provides Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) to patients supported by California Children’s Services.
Exercises sound judgment and developed clinical skills to implement the patient's plan of care based on the diagnosis in a timely manner. Gains confidence and cooperation from the patient, their family/support group, and other healthcare providers through competent patient assessment, attentive monitoring and care, and effective communication. Adheres to all local/state/federal regulations, codes, policies, and procedures to ensure privacy and safety while delivering optimal patient care.
Job Description
The Dietitian supports the Sutter Sync HF multidisciplinary model by assessing nutritional status and developing individualized, diagnosis-specific nutrition plans that address sodium and fluid management, protein and electrolyte adequacy, vitamin D deficiency, food insecurity, and other clinical needs. The role monitors and addresses unintentional weight loss, malnutrition, sarcopenia, and cachexia risk, escalating concerns for medical evaluation as appropriate, and owns the nutritional component of the joint frailty intervention in collaboration with Exercise Physiology. The Dietitian also coordinates with Pharmacy during steroid bursts for HF/COPD overlap patients, communicates patient progress to the HF Nurse and multidisciplinary team, and provides patient counseling, education, consultation, interdisciplinary care planning, and documentation.
As the program evolves, the Dietitian is expected to help build and operationalize the nutrition component of care, including scalable workflows, patient education, referral pathways, and team processes within a virtual care environment. This requires adaptability, comfort with ambiguity, and the ability to translate clinical nutrition expertise into practical, sustainable operations.
This role is expected to be onsite at the Sutter Innovation Center at least 2 days per week.
Preferred Experience
- Experience providing individual nutrition consultation, assessment, treatment planning, and monitoring for patients with chronic or life-threatening medical conditions.
- Experience with heart failure nutrition concepts, including sodium and fluid management, protein adequacy, cachexia/malnutrition risk, electrolyte considerations, and food insecurity.
- Experience participating in interdisciplinary care teams, case conferencing, and collaborative planning with physicians, nursing, pharmacy, exercise physiology, and operations teams.
- Experience developing or improving clinical programs, workflows, referral processes, patient education materials, group visits, classes, or operational tools in a new or evolving care model.
- Demonstrated adaptability, initiative, and comfort working in ambiguity, including the ability to identify gaps, recommend practical solutions, and adjust as program needs change.
- Experience creating patient education, classes, or workshops and communicating nutrition recommendations clearly to patients and staff.
- Knowledge of diagnosis-specific nutrition, medical conditions, medication or supplement interactions, and lifestyle-change support related to nutrition and diet.
- Bachelor’s degree in nutrition or related field, clinical nutrition training, BLS, and CNC, RD, or RDN credential consistent with the job description.
EDUCATION
Completion of an accredited degree program and a supervised practice program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
Credentialing must be completed within 45 days of hire prior to billing
CERTIFICATION & LICENSURE
RD-Registered Dietitian/RDN-Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
DEPARTMENT-SPECIFIC CERTIFICATION & LICENSURE
Advanced credential if required by department.
TYPICAL EXPERIENCE
5 years recent relevant experience
SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
Utilizes advanced nutrition and/or diabetes education knowledge and skills in the treatment of patients with varying medical conditions in the areas of expertise required by the department.
Provides complex care using a strong understanding of human anatomy, pathophysiology, pharmacology, laboratory results, and medical terminology.
Excellent written and verbal communications skills to explain sensitive information clearly and professionally to diverse audiences, including non-medical people.
Well-developed time management and organizational skills, including the ability to prioritize assignments and work within standardized operating procedures to achieve objectives and meet deadlines.
General knowledge of computer applications, such as Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and Outlook) and electronic health records (EHR).
Ability to:
- Interpret a variety of data and instructions, furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
- Prioritize assignments and work within standardized policies and procedures, to achieve objectives and meet deadlines.
- Work autonomously, as well as part of the team, including accomplishing multiple tasks in an environment with interruptions.
- Identify, evaluate, and resolve standard problems by selecting appropriate solutions from established options.
- Ensure the privacy of each patient's protected health information (PHI).
- Build collaborative relationships with peers and other healthcare providers to achieve departmental and corporate.
- Compassionately and effectively interact with patients and staff with diverse ages, backgrounds, cultures, values, beliefs, and behaviors.
- Retain and apply new knowledge.
Job Shift
Days
Schedule
Full Time
Shift Hours
8
Days of the Week
Monday - Friday
Weekend Requirements
As Needed
Benefits
Yes
Unions
No
Position Status
Non-Exempt
Weekly Hours
40
Employee Status
Regular
Sutter Health is an equal opportunity employer EOE/M/F/Disability/Veterans.
Pay Range is $55.91 to $78.27 / hour
The posted pay range is based on the position's primary work location. Candidates who reside and work outside of that location may be subject to a different pay range based on their work location. Candidate starting salaries consider multiple factors, including, but not limited to a candidate’s experience, education, skills, licensure, certifications, departmental equity, training, and organizational needs. Base pay is only one component of Sutter Health’s comprehensive total rewards program. Eligible positions also include a comprehensive benefits package.