Registered Dietitian

PS Clinical Dietitian

Job Summary

The Department of Nutrition and Integrative Physiology at the University of Utah, in partnership with the Huntsman Cancer Institute, is seeking a Registered Dietitian to support a multi-site NIH/NCI-funded study in the lab of Dr. Mary Playdon (1R01CA313949, multiple principal investigator award with Dr. Fred Tabung at The Ohio State University). The project, Targeting Diet-Driven Inflammation for Colorectal Cancer Prevention in High-Risk Adults: A Biomarker-Guided Approach, translates a validated blood-based dietary biomarker into clinical practice for colorectal cancer prevention.

This is a hybrid clinical and research role. The successful candidate is a credentialed Registered Dietitian who will both deliver the study’s anti-inflammatory dietary intervention using medical nutrition therapy (MNT) and coordinate the day-to-day conduct of the 16-week randomized controlled trial embedded in gastroenterology and endoscopy clinics. The position works closely with study gastroenterologists, the Huntsman Cancer Institute Cores, the HCI Population Sciences Trials Office, the study biostatistician, and the coordinating team at The Ohio State University.

This position is funded for up to 5 years with potential for renewal, contingent on performance and funding. The University of Utah is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and encourages applications from individuals of all backgrounds.

For more information about Dr. Playdon’s research, visit her faculty profile https://profiles.faculty.utah.edu/u6017378.

Details about the NIH-funded project (1R01CA313949) can be found on NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov.

Huntsman Cancer Institute is committed to cancer prevention, care, and survivorship for all communities within the area we serve – which includes Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming – with impact worldwide.

In your cover letter or during your interview process, we invite you to share how your professional experiences have prepared you to serve as a member of our team as we work to reduce the cancer burden experienced by all people and communities. This may include description of your prior experiences related to research, prevention, clinical care, community engagement/outreach, training, administration, or other areas relevant to Huntsman Cancer Institute’s mission and this position.

Responsibilities

Nutrition intervention delivery (Registered Dietitian scope)

• Deliver registered dietitian-led medical nutrition therapy following Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics best practices and the Nutrition Care Process, translating the dietary pattern into personalized dietary guidance.
• Conduct individual counseling and group education sessions, in person and via HIPAA-compliant telehealth, using motivational interviewing to build self-efficacy, problem-solve barriers, and support sustained behavior change.
• Screen participants for food insecurity, tailor counseling to food access, and connect participants to the University of Utah Food Pharmacy programs and federal and local food assistance resources as needed.
• Coordinate medically tailored grocery delivery (e.g., Instacart) of recommended foods and support development of culturally tailored example menus with the University of Utah metabolic kitchen.
• Administer dietary assessments, including 3-day food records, the NCI Diet History Questionnaire, and process these assessments using the Nutrition Data System for Research (NDSR).
• Attend and contribute to investigator and study team meetings.

Questions about this position should be directed to Dr. Mary Playdon at mary.playdon@hci.utah.edu.

About the University of Utah

The University of Utah is the state’s oldest and largest institution of higher education and offers an exceptional research and teaching environment. The University of Utah encompasses both the flagship university and the health sciences campus for the state, competes in the Big 12 conference, and is the largest research-intensive institution in the Mountain West.

About the Department of Nutrition & Integrative Physiology

The Department of Nutrition & Integrative Physiology (NUIP) houses an active group of researchers, educators, and trainees dedicated to understanding how maintenance of metabolic health combats the development and progression of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. NUIP faculty members maintain active engagement with other programs within the Health Sciences Center and translate new research findings into clinical procedures and community outreach programs that improve quality of life.

About Huntsman Cancer Institute

HCI is an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center and a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), supporting and fostering a vibrant cancer research enterprise in a highly collaborative environment. HCI is committed to cancer prevention, care, and survivorship for the communities it serves, which include Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming, with impact worldwide. HCI is home to shared resources such as the Utah Population Database and the Utah Cancer Registry, a long-standing Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) site.

Minimum Qualifications

• Registered Dietitian with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
• Current License to practice as a Certified Dietitian in the State of Utah.

Preferred

• Two years of clinical/practical experience or equivalency (one year of education can be substituted for two years of related work experience).
• Nutrition Focused Physical Exam (NFPE) Training.

This position is patient-sensitive and must fulfill all associated requirements. We protect our patients, coworkers and community by requiring all patient-sensitive employees to be immunized according to CDC standards and hospital policy. Limited exemptions may be made for documented medical contraindications or religious beliefs that object to vaccinations.

Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.

Preferences

• Registered Dietitian Nutritionist credential through the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), with current State of Utah licensure or eligibility to obtain licensure within one month of employment.
• Master’s degree in Nutrition, Dietetics, consistent with current CDR credentialing standards.
• Clinical nutrition counseling experience, including outpatient medical nutrition therapy.
• IRB CITI Course in the Protection of Human Research Subjects certification, completed or obtained within six months of hire.
• Demonstrated organizational skills, attention to detail, and effective human relations and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary, multi-site team.
• Prior clinical research coordination experience, including informed consent, REDCap, and knowledge of Good Clinical Practice, FDA, HIPAA, and IRB regulations; University RATS clinical research certification (or completion within one year of hire).
• Experience with motivational interviewing and behavior-change counseling for chronic disease prevention.
• Experience with dietary assessment tools (e.g., NDSR, Diet History Questionnaire, food records).
• Experience in gastroenterology, oncology, or cancer prevention research settings.
• Experience delivering telehealth counseling and coordinating biospecimen collection.

Additional Information

The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.

This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.

The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education.

Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.

Consistent with state and federal law, the University of Utah does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.

To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX (OEO). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator’s office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at the: University of Utah Non‑Discrimination page.

Online reports may be submitted at https://oeo.utah.edu.

https://publicsafety.utah.edu/safetyreport/ This report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security-related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South.