Northwestern University Looking for Registered Dietitian (part-time) at Chicago, IL  Full Time

Department: MED-Preventive Medicine
Salary/Grade: NEX/18

Job Summary:

The Department of Preventive Medicine seeks a qualified individual to serve as a Registered Dietitian (RD) for a nutrition research program: The Nutrition for Precision Health (NPH) powered by the All of Us Research Program. The work is in person, and takes place within Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, located in downtown Chicago. NPH is enrolling research study participants for an intensive controlled feeding randomized trial to determine the health benefits of a variety of foods and food components. The research is focused on safety and efficacy, dose response bioavailability, behavior, and mechanisms related to how dietary intake enhances health benefit or disease risk.

Under general supervision and according to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and/or general instruction, this RD directly supports the research initiatives of NPH at Northwestern University. Collaborates with the principal investigators, physicians, and clinical research team in implementing this federally funded multi-center clinical trial. With strict adherence to the study protocol, responsible for coordinating the research dietetic components of the study to its completion and, including but not limited to conducting dietary interviews to determine eligibility, implementing and monitoring research diets, provision of diets, supervising staff and interns on the controlled feeding components of the study, monitoring participants’ adherence to study meals and study protocol, providing behavioral coaching for improved adherence, determining and conducting appropriate dietary assessment; overseeing the collection of nutrient intake data and maintains confidential research records, provides study patient management according to protocol and regulatory requirements.

The Registered Dietitian reports to a Supervisor and the Principal Investigators who provide objectives and deadlines to comply with the study protocol. Work is evaluated based on fulfillment of objective and deadlines and overall compliance with study policy and procedures. Eventually it is expected that the Dietitian completes some activities without needing direction while informing supervisor only of potentially controversial matters, and/or far-reaching implications. Work may extend beyond the central NU/NM campus to NM affiliates for targeted initiatives.

Specific Responsibilities:

• 30% OPERATION OF RESEARCH DIETETIC SUPPORT – Provides nutritionally competent dietetic support for NPH Study diet intervention including collaboration in the organization, evaluation and reporting phases of the research protocol. The RD calculates, implements, and monitors controlled research diets provided for the research study participants, complying with specific dietary requirements of research protocol, and following established federal, state, and local food safety guidelines/regulations. This includes close collaboration with metabolic kitchen staff, study coordinators and other NPH RDs, to schedule participants to the various phases of the study.. Performs data entry, coding, and checking for study participant food intake per NPH protocols. Conducts screening eligibility sessions to identify appropriate candidates who would be successful in adhering to study protocols.
• 25% DIET ASSESSMENT – Oversees and implements the protocol based dietary assessment methods with NPH study participants. Oversee the training of study staff and participants on dietary assessment. Analyzes records of food and beverage intake for nutrients using computerized databases, using the appropriate software program and food composition database to meet the needs of the NPH study. Serve as point of contact and subject matter expert for study participants and staff when questions arise. Responsible for tracking diet assessment adherence by participants. Performs data entry, coding, and checking of participant self-reported intake according to NPH protocols.
• 20% BEHAVIORAL COUNSELING – Assist in selection of study participants by conducting dietary interviews. Conducting informed consent with participants. Interacts with participants by explaining diet protocols and procedures, instructing on procedures for data collection, and obtaining historical information about food intake (food frequency questionnaire, 24-hour recall). Assesses dietary adherence, provides nutrition education and counseling to improve adherence according to NPH protocols.
• 20% SUPERVISION – May hire, train and supervise dietetic interns to assist with study procedures as budget allows. Develops onboarding plan for interns and conduct performance check-ins and reviews. Develops comprehensive Manual of Operations for the research dietetic components of the study that includes quality assurance and control procedures to help ensure all study staff adhere to the controlled feeding components of the study protocol.
• 5% NUTRIENT DATABASE AND SOFTWARE SYSTEMS – Learns and uses proficiently computerized databases for nutrient analysis of diets and Food Service Management/Menu management tools per NPH protocols.

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in nutrition, Dietetics, or related field.
• Must have completed a dietetic internship accredited by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (formerly American Dietetic Association) and be a Registered Dietitian that maintains credentialing through the Commission of Dietetic Registration.
• Must complete Northwestern’s IRB CITI training before interacting with any participants & must re-certify every 3 years

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) registered with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ Commission on Dietetic Registration

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Working in a research kitchen or food service environment. Experience in planning a nutrient-controlled and/or metabolic diet. Experience collecting, processing and summarizing dietary intake information using computerized nutrient databases. Demonstrated skills in oce organization such as maintaining electronic les, cloud-based data entry systems, paper records or medical charts. Knowledge of food service preparation, standard sanitary and employment practices. Ability to make independent, logical decisions to accomplish functions of the position. Ability to work eciently under pressure when presented with a large amount of work and to prioritize tasks. Ability to communicate effectively using diplomacy, courtesy, judgment, and maturity in working and dealing with a diverse team. Ability to maintain condentiality, be punctual, and be attentive to details. Ability to function as a team member. Willing to work occasional overtime or weekends. Ability to use standard oce equipment (fax, photocopier, etc.).
• Professional knowledge of nutrition and dietary assessment sufficient to critically evaluate the scientific literature, nutrient intake data, and dietary information.

Target hiring range for this position will be between $33.40-41.75 per hour. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at to learn more.

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