Dietitian

Responsibilities:

Clinical Assessment & Care Planning:

• Review patient medical records, lab results, medications, and dietary history.  
• Assess nutritional status using anthropometry, biochemical data, and physical exams.  
• Diagnose nutrition problems and develop evidence-based care plans aligned with doctors’ treatment goals.  
• Adjust therapeutic diets for conditions like diabetes, CKD, hypertension, cancer, IBD, malnutrition, eating disorders, and post-surgical recovery.

Medical Nutrition Therapy & Counseling:

• Provide one-on-one counseling to patients and caregivers on therapeutic diets, food-drug interactions, and lifestyle changes.  
• Teach skills like carb counting, sodium restriction, protein modification, and tube feeding/TPN management.  
• Monitor adherence and modify plans based on patient response, labs, and weight changes.

Documentation & Compliance:  

• Document nutrition assessments, interventions, and outcomes in EHR/EMR systems per hospital and HPCN standards.  
• Ensure patient data confidentiality and compliance with NHIA and hospital protocols.  
• Write reports for ward rounds, multidisciplinary team meetings, and discharge summaries.

Collaboration:

• Participate in ward rounds and case conferences with physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and physiotherapists.  
• Liaise with kitchen/dietary department to ensure therapeutic meals are prepared correctly.  
• Refer patients to social workers, psychologists, or community nutrition programs when needed.

Education, Research & Quality Improvement:

• Conduct staff training, patient education classes, and community outreach on nutrition and disease prevention.  
• Track patient outcomes and contribute to hospital quality improvement projects.  
• Stay updated on NHIA guidelines, WHO standards, and new research in clinical nutrition.

Requirements:

• BSc in Dietetics, Human Nutrition & Dietetics, or Nutrition with Dietetics specialization from an accredited university.  
• License to practice from Health Professions Council of Nigeria.  
• NYSC certificate completed.
• 1-3 years hospital/clinical experience preferred. Fresh graduates with internship at tertiary hospital considered.  
• Experience with enteral/parenteral nutrition is an advantage for ICU/surgical wards.

Technical Skills:

• Strong knowledge of pathophysiology, biochemistry, and medical nutrition therapy.  
• Proficient in EHR systems, MS Excel, and meal planning software.  
• Knowledge of NAFDAC food labeling and NHIA benefit packages for HMO roles.

Soft Skills:

• Excellent communication and counseling skills - explain complex diets in simple terms.  
• Empathy and cultural sensitivity around food habits and beliefs.  
• Attention to detail, organization, and ability to prioritize under pressure.  
• Team player with strong interpersonal skills.

Work Conditions:

Location: Hospitals, specialist clinics, dialysis centers, HMOs, rehabilitation centers.  

Hours: 8am-4pm weekdays, plus on-call/rotation for emergency and ward coverage.  

Renumeration: NGN 150,000–₦350,000/month. Teaching hospitals and international NGOs trend higher.