Dietitian

Company: Westbrook Health Services, Inc.
Location: Parkersburg
Posted on: May 17, 2025

Job Description:

Job Overview:The Dietitian will provide nutritional counseling and support for individuals with mental health and behavioral challenges. This role involves conducting nutritional assessments, developing personalized meal plans, and working closely with clients to address eating disorders, weight management, and the nutritional impact of mental health and substance use disorder conditions and medications. The dietitian will collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to ensure holistic, integrated care that supports clients' physical and emotional well-being.Essential Duties and Responsibilities:Nutritional Assessment and Counseling:Conduct comprehensive nutritional assessments for clients, evaluating dietary habits, nutritional deficiencies, and the impact of mental health on nutritional status.Develop individualized nutrition care plans tailored to the specific needs of clients with mental health and behavioral challenges, including those with eating disorders, anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders.Provide one-on-one and group counseling sessions to promote healthy eating behaviors and address issues such as disordered eating, weight management, and food-related anxiety.Meal Planning and Intervention:Create personalized meal plans that support physical health and complement mental health treatments, ensuring that nutritional strategies align with therapeutic goals.Educate clients on the relationship between nutrition and mental health, including how diet can affect mood, energy levels, cognitive function, and emotional regulation.Provide ongoing support and adjustments to meal plans based on client progress and changes in health status.Create, distribute, and audit menus for all residential programsCollaboration and Consultation:Collaborate with psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and other healthcare professionals to provide integrated care that addresses both mental health and physical well-being.Consult with physicians and other specialists to ensure that medical conditions (e.g., diabetes, hypertension, gastrointestinal disorders) are considered when developing nutrition care plans.Serve as a resource for staff by providing education and guidance on the role of nutrition in mental health and overall wellness.Client Education and Support:Develop and deliver educational materials and workshops focused on nutrition and mental health, targeting both clients and their families.Promote lifestyle changes that support long-term health and well-being, including healthy eating habits, exercise, and stress management techniques.Support clients in overcoming barriers to healthy eating, such as food insecurity, poor access to nutritious foods, or cultural and socioeconomic factors.Documentation and Compliance:Maintain accurate and timely documentation of client assessments, care plans, progress notes, and outcomes in accordance with agency standards and HIPAA regulations.Ensure compliance with all state, federal, and agency regulations regarding nutrition care and ethical standards in dietetic practice.Professional Development:Stay current with advancements in nutrition and dietetics, especially as they relate to mental health and behavioral health.Participate in continuing education, staff development programs, and supervision to enhance skills in specialized areas like eating disorders, weight management, and nutritional psychiatry.Education and/or Experience Requirements:Bachelor's or Master's degree in Nutrition, Dietetics, or related field from an accredited institution.Licensed or eligible for licensure as a Dietitian in West Virginia within 6 months of employmentMinimum of 2 years of experience providing nutritional counseling, preferably in a behavioral health or clinical setting.Experience working with individuals with eating disorders, mental health conditions, and substance use disorders is strongly preferred.Strong clinical knowledge of the relationship between nutrition and mental health.Excellent communication and counseling skills, with the ability to engage clients in a supportive, non-judgmental manner.Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team and adapt nutritional care to the specific needs of clients with mental health challenges.#HPThe professionals at Westbrook Health Services believe in promoting the well-being of individuals and families struggling with a wide range of challenges. Our staff meets the needs of over 7,000 people annually. Experienced and compassionate, we empower people to achieve wellness with the guidance of our knowledgeable and experienced staff.Westbrook Health Services provides a comprehensive, low-cost benefits package to all full-time employees that includes medical, dental, vision, life, short and long-term disability, critical illness, accident, and pet insurance coverage options. Paid time-off, paid holidays, and paid training provide a healthy work life balance.Westbrook provides Equal Employment Opportunity to all employees and applicants. Employment decisions are made based upon an individual's skills and qualifications without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, age, national origin, citizenship, disability as defined in the law, veteran status, sexual orientation, pregnancy and related conditions, genetic information, gender identity or any status or characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws. Westbrook also prohibits unlawful discrimination based upon the perception of those characteristics or any association with a person who is perceived to have any of those characteristics. Discrimination based on any of these factors is totally inconsistent with our philosophy of doing business and will not be tolerated at any time.Qualified individuals with bona fide disabilities, as the term "disability" is defined in the law, are entitled to reasonable accommodations in the application process and in their employment. Although Westbrook is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations, the responsibility for identifying whether accommodation is needed and what constitutes a reasonable accommodation is shared jointly by the employee and Westbrook.

Keywords: Westbrook Health Services, Inc., Charleston , Dietitian, Other , Parkersburg, West Virginia