Registered Dietitian - Genetic Metabolic
McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston, a leading academic health center, invites applications for a full-time Genetic Metabolic Registered Dietician in the Division of Medical Genetics.
The selected candidate will contribute to the Nutrition Management and care coordination of patients with inborn errors of
metabolism.
POSITION KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:
The position is 100% clinical. Job duties include, but are not limited to:
1. Medical Nutrition Therapy
a) Provision of age-appropriate medical nutrition therapy for individuals diagnosed with inherited (genetic) metabolic
disorders in inpatient and outpatient settings that draw upon knowledge of the principles of growth and development over
the life span. You will also provide care for patients with inherited metabolic disorders identified by the Texas Newborn
Screening program, including age-appropriate medical nutrition therapy. This may include aminoacidopathies (such
as phenylketonuria), urea cycle disorders, organic acidemias, galactosemia, glycogen storage disease, and fatty acid
oxidation disorders.
b) Assessment of laboratory and clinical data reflective of the patient's status, evaluation of nutritional status, and
development, implementation, monitoring, and documentation of nutrition care plans that allow for specific economic,
social, cultural, and age-appropriate needs of patients and caregivers.
c) Development of age-appropriate educational materials for children, teens, and adults with inherited metabolic disorders
targeted to increase patient knowledge regarding their specific nutritional needs. These materials are expected to
complement the ongoing education of patients, and their families provided during patient visits.
d) Assistance in Development of Emergency Protocols for illness and metabolic stress.
e) Assistance to patients, families, and other members of the genetics team in acquiring all treatment components for
patients (medical food, low protein specialty foods, resources, and supplies required for dietary therapy compliance),
including providing supporting documentation for insurance and other assistance programs as necessary.
f) Documentation to school systems for the implementation of medical foods/formulas and special meals as appropriate.
2. Education
As UTHealth is a teaching institution you will be expected to train UTHealth medical students, genetic counseling students,
residents, and fellows who rotate through the clinic. Additionally, you will be expected to train dietetic interns from area
universities. You will also monitor, document, and report on student performance as indicated by program-specific
evaluation forms.
3. Professional Activity
a) Establish membership and active participation in professional organizations as appropriate for credentialing and
development of skills in providing nutritional therapy for metabolic disease.
b) Participate in international, national, and regional professional education opportunities regarding evidence-based
practice for treatment of inborn errors of metabolism via conferences, webinars, listservs, etc.
c) Participate in metabolic journal reviews and remain current on published research, treatment guidelines, and consensus
statements and communicate back to core metabolic team.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- MS, PhD or DCN in nutrition, dietetics or related field
Certification/Skills:
- Recognizes and exercises professional judgment within the limits of individual qualifications
- Knowledge of the nutrition care process.
- Builds collaborative relationships to encourage professional growth and development.
- Demonstrates effective problem solving and professional judgment to address needs.
- Ability to comply with various accrediting, regulatory, and agency authorities.
- Knowledge of best practices in areas of clinical nutrition and the ability to apply nutrition interventions to patients with multiple co-morbidities.
- RD - Registered Dietician certified by Commission on Dietetic Registration, by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics required
- Licensed Dietitian by Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation required required
- Maintains dietetic registration and continuing education hours as specified by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and state licensure regulations required required
Minimum Education:
Graduate of an education program approved by the credentialing body for the required credential(s) in Nutrition by an accredited or approved education program required
- MS, PhD or DCN in nutrition, dietetics or related field
Minimum Experience:
None
Physical Requirements:
Exerts up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds frequently and/or a negligible amount constantly to move objects.
Security Sensitive:
Security Sensitive: This job class may contain positions that are security sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of Texas Education Code § 51.215
Residency Requirement:
Employees must permanently reside and work in the State of Texas.
If you are looking for a great healthcare career in Houston, visit http://go.uth.edu/careers!
University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth)
Established in 1972 by The University of Texas System Board of Regents, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) is Houston’s Health University and Texas’ resource for health care education, innovation, scientific discovery and excellence in patient care. The most comprehensive academic health center in the UT System and the U.S. Gulf Coast region, UTHealth Houston is home to schools of biomedical informatics, biomedical sciences, dentistry, nursing and public health and the John P. and Kathrine G. McGovern Medical School. UTHealth Houston includes The University of Texas Harris County Psychiatric Center, as well as the growing clinical practices UT Physicians, UT Dentists and UT Health Services. The university’s primary teaching hospitals are Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center, Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital and Harris Health Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital.
UTHealth Benefits
UTHealth Houston offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package. For more information on our benefits programs please refer to the UTHealth Houston Office of Benefits Website.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
UTHealth Houston is committed to providing equal opportunity in all employment-related activities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, gender identity or expression, veteran status or any other basis prohibited by law or university policy. Reasonable accommodation, based on disability or religious observances, will be considered in accordance with applicable law and UTHealth Houston policy. The University maintains affirmative action programs with respect to women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and eligible veterans in accordance with applicable law.
UTHealth Houston has adopted a policy consistent with CMS regulations to protect our patients and university community from exposure to COVID-19. This policy affects all employees, residents, fellows, students, contractors, new hires, visiting scholars program participants, adjunct faculty, and volunteers who work, train, or collaborate at the John S. Dunn Behavioral Science Center.
In addition, all UTHealth Houston employees who are assigned to work at a location that is subject to the affiliated partner’s hospital, clinical offices, or agency are required to abide by UTHealth’s Houston rules and regulations, as well as the affiliate’s rules and regulations, including COVID-19 vaccination and safety requirements.
Work location is based on the needs of the department and may be adjusted.
