Dietitian Intern

Overview

PURPOSE: The Dietitian Intern will help support the mission of People's Community Clinic by assisting our Nutrition Education Program with empowering patients to make long-lasting lifestyle changes that will improve their health.

Responsibilities

OBJECTIVE: The Dietitian Intern will collaborate with the Nutrition Services Manager to facilitate nutrition education, design care plans, and foster positive behavior change among patients.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:  Under the supervision of the Nutrition Services Manager, this individual’s primary responsibilities include:

• Develop and plan future nutrition groups/classes (ex. Prediabetes group)
• Research a nutrition-related topic assigned or of their interest, present the research and how it applies to this internship, as well as create patient educational material that is at a 6th grade reading level.
• Co-facilitate, take attendance, and help prepare concurrent nutrition classes provided by PCC Nutritionist and PCC partners.
• Distribute promotional and educational materials for the nutrition classes/groups.
• Apply Food Safety guidelines when distributing groceries to class participants.
• Design nutrition care plans for patients, based on assessment of a patient’s nutrition needs and correlate with other health plans.
• Apply motivational interviewing techniques to nutrition counseling and education process.
• Communicate nutrition care plan to supervisor and corresponding interdisciplinary team members.
• Schedule nutrition appointments as indicated by supervisor.

Qualifications

Education:  Currently enrolled in an accredited dietetic internship program or pursuing eligibility for the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credential.

Experience: Previous coursework, projects, or volunteer experiences related to nutrition education, community health, or patient counseling is advantageous.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Solid understanding of nutrition principles, dietary guidelines, and behavior change theories.
• Proficiency in creating clear and engaging educational materials for diverse audiences.
• Familiarity with motivational interviewing techniques and their application in nutrition counseling.
• Basic knowledge of food safety regulations and guidelines.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively within an interdisciplinary team.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks effectively.
• Comfortable with using computer applications for communication, presentations, and data management.
• Empathetic and culturally sensitive approach to patient interactions.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in writing nutrition-related blogs, articles, or educational content.
• Proficiency in both English and Spanish languages for enhanced patient communication.
• Familiarity with electronic health records (EHR) systems.
• Passion for addressing health disparities and promoting equitable healthcare outcomes.
• Demonstrated commitment to continuous professional development in the field of nutrition and dietetics.