Pediatric Dietitian II.

Job Description

Be a part of a world-class academic healthcare system at UChicago Medicine as a Pediatric Registered Dietitian II in the Clinical Nutrition Department. The Registered Dietitian (RD) II – Parenteral Nutrition (PN) Management RD functions at an advanced level of clinical practice, serving as a core member of the Pediatric Nutrition Support Service (PNSS). 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
• 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 RD II 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, including inpatient PICU, pediatric hospitalist and pediatric surgery floors.

Essential Job Functions:

• Under general direction, has the duties of instructing, assisting in the training, and checking the work of less experienced staff.
• Verifies that enteral formulations are prepared according to established guidelines, are 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 the 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 the course of therapy.
• Tailors feeding formulations 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, phosphorus; vitamins and minerals; and medications, including insulin and acid suppression medication; enteral nutrition and oral diets.
• Authorizes (with approval of a physician) changes to formulas 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.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Position Highlights:

• Join a collaborative and supportive teamof dietitians who love working together and learning from each other.
• Make an impact by caring for kids and families across a wide range of specialties—from NICU and PICU to GI, oncology, and endocrinology.
• Grow your skills with ongoing education and specialty certifications, plus opportunities to get involved in QI projects and research.
• Be part of a mission-driven departmentthat’s passionate about advancing pediatric care.
• Share your expertise while also teaching and mentoring dietetic interns and medical traineesat an academic medical center.

Required Qualifications: 

• Minimum of 3(+) years total clinical experience with BS/BA in Nutrition, Dietetics or other relevant major with MS/MA in Nutrition, Dietetics or other relevant major OR hold an additional certification related to area of clinical practice (i.e. CNSC, CDCES, CDR recognized, etc.)
• 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. 
• Certified Nutrition Support Clinician(CNSC) credential
• Pediatric experience

Preferred Qualifications: 

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

Position Details:

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

Why Join Us

We’ve been at the forefront of medicine since 1899. We provide superior healthcare with compassion, always mindful that each patient is a person, an individual. To accomplish this, we need employees with passion, talent and commitment… with patients and with each other. We’re in this together: working to advance medical innovation, serve the health needs of the community, and move our collective knowledge forward. If you’d like to add enriching human life to your profile, UChicago Medicine is for you. Here at the forefront, we’re doing work that really matters. Join us. Bring your passion.

UChicago Medicine is growing; discover how you can be a part of this pursuit of excellence at: UChicago Medicine Career Opportunities

UChicago Medicine is an equal opportunity employer.  We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, civil union status, parental status, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status and other legally protected characteristics.

As a condition of employment, all employees are required to complete a pre-employment physical, background check, drug screening, and comply with the flu vaccination requirements prior to hire. Medical and religious exemptions will be considered for flu vaccination consistent with applicable law.

Compensation & Benefits Overview

UChicago Medicine is committed to transparency in compensation and benefits.  The pay range provided reflects the anticipated wage or salary reasonably expected to be offered for the position.

The pay range is based on a full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) and is reflective of current market data, reviewed on an annual basis. Compensation offered at the time of hire will vary based on candidate qualifications and experience and organizational considerations, such as internal equity. Pay ranges for employees subject to Collective Bargaining Agreements are negotiated by the medical center and their respective union.

Review the full complement of benefit options for eligible roles at Benefits - UChicago Medicine.