Nutrition Support Dietitian - Adult Inpatient

Be a part of a world-class academic healthcare system at UChicago Medicine as a Parenteral Nutrition Management- Registered Dietitian III in the Clinical Nutrition Department. The Registered Dietitian (RD) III - Parenteral Nutrition (PN) Management RD functions at an advanced level of clinical practice, serving as a core member of the GI Nutrition - Nutrition Support Service (NSS). In alignment with the ASPEN Scope of Practice for the Registered Dietitian on the Nutrition Support Team, this role is responsible for comprehensive nutrition care, including:

• Conducting detailed nutrition assessments for medically complex pediatric patients requiring nutrition support following the Nutrition Care Process and documenting in ADIME.

• Developing, initiating, and adjusting individualized EN and custom PN prescriptions based on evidence-based guidelines and patient-specific needs.

• Monitoring and interpreting biochemical, anthropometric, and clinical indicators to guide ongoing EN and PN management.

• Participating in interdisciplinary team rounds and contributing clinical expertise to optimize nutrition outcomes.

• Educating patients, families, and healthcare professionals regarding PN therapy, home transition, and long-term nutrition support follow-up.

The Parenteral Nutrition Management RD III collaborates closely with physicians, pharmacists, advanced practice nurses, and other healthcare professionals to ensure safe, effective, and patient-centered PN care. The position also supports quality improvement initiatives, clinical research, and protocol development aimed at advancing pediatric nutrition support standards in accordance with national guidelines.

Ideally, this position will be able to write TPN and support all stages of the nutrition care process, including those on oral and enteral nutrition across many different service lines.

Job Functions:

• Verifies that enteral/parenteral nutrition is administered in accordance with the prescribed therapeutic plan, and are well tolerated by each patient.

• Establishes individual plans of care for nutrition support therapy based on results of comprehensive nutritional assessment, including immediate, intermediate, and long-term goals of therapy.

• Evaluates educational needs of the patient; documents objectives of, and indications for, use of home nutrition support if appropriate; specifies the route recommended to provide nutrition support and reassesses periodically during therapy.

• Tailors Medical Nutrition Therapy for disease-specific constraints and clinical status changes that may affect tolerance and nutrient utilization.

• Writes orders (once credentialed) for parenteral nutrition prescriptions, including macro- and micronutrients, fluid volume; electrolytes including potassium, sodium, and phosphorus; vitamins and minerals; and medications, including insulin and acid suppression medication; enteral nutrition; and oral diets.

• Authorizes changes to EN/PN order based on clinical assessment of the patient.

• Instructs patients and families, when indicated, on modified diets; instructs patients for whom follow-up in clinic is planned on home enteral feeding regimens. Assists with discharge for home parenteral nutrition patients.

• Under general direction, has the duties of instructing, assisting in the training, and checking the work of less experienced staff.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• BS/BA in Nutrition, Dietetics, or other relevant major with MS/MA in Nutrition, Dietetics

• Registered Dietitian (RD) with successful completion of coordinated program, dietetic internship, or other experience approved by the Commission on Accreditation of Dietetic Education (CADE) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

• Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist (LDN) by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Professional Regulation.

• Maintenance of RD through the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) by accrual of 75 units of approved Continuing Professional Education every 5 years.

• Minimum of 6 years total acute care clinical experience. 

• Certified Nutrition Support Clinician (CNSC) credential.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Member of the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics and relevant practice group(s).

• Member of the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN)

Position Details:

• Job Type/FTE: Full-time (1.0 FTE)
• Shift: Days – 8 hour shift
• Unit/Department: Clinical Nutrition: Adult Nutrition Support
• CBA Code: Non-Union