Registered Dietitian
Project Open Hand
Summary
Be at the forefront of the Food is Medicine movement as a Registered Dietitian (RD) with Project Open Hand, one of the nation's longest-standing and most respected providers of medically tailored meals and groceries. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, you will join a dynamic, mission-driven Nutrition Services Department that is transforming healthcare through medically tailored nutrition. This is a hybrid role that includes remote work, onsite work at Project Open Hand's San Francisco office, and community-based client visits throughout the Bay Area.
Job description
The Registered Dietitian provides compassionate, client-centered nutritional assessment, counseling, and education through in-person, home-based, and telehealth visits. This role supports the development of educational materials and curricula, contributes to research and program evaluation initiatives, and collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to continuously enhance meals, services, and nutrition programs to meet the evolving needs of our diverse client population.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities
- Deliver compassionate, client-centered Medical Nutrition Therapy using the Nutrition Care Process, helping clients manage chronic and critical illnesses through personalized nutrition plans.
- Lead the development, review, and implementation of evidence-based nutrition guidelines that support agency goals and meet program contract standards.
- Design, coordinate, and facilitate interactive nutrition education workshops for older adults and adults with disabilities as part of our Community Nutrition Program, promoting health equity and food literacy.
- Conduct engaging group sessions including cooking classes and nutrition education tailored for clients living with HIV/AIDS, diabetes, heart disease, renal failure, cancer, high risk pregnancies and other serious health conditions.
- Provide ongoing staff education and training on nutrition, food safety, and sanitation to ensure best practices across the organization.
- Serve as a preceptor and mentor for dietetic interns, contributing to the development of the next generation of nutrition professionals.
- Maintain detailed and timely documentation to support grants, contracts, and research initiatives, helping to advance the field of Food is Medicine.
- Participate in and lead performance improvement projects that enhance program quality, streamline service delivery, and ensure continuous alignment with best practices in the Food is Medicine model.
- Conduct regular quality assurance audits to ensure alignment with agency standards for medically tailored meals and community nutrition programs.
- Support the mission of Project Open Hand with flexibility and collaboration, taking on additional responsibilities as needed to meet client and program needs.
Requirements
- Registered Dietitian / Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
- Registered Dietitian exam eligible
- Knowledge of food service and quality control
- Proficient in nutrition software programs, Computrition preferred
- Experience providing staff training / education
- Ability to work Saturdays and occasional evenings
- 2+ years experience as a Registered Dietitian
- Experience working with people living with HIV/AIDS, other critical and chronic diseases, and the elderly
- Experience developing and executing community-based nutrition education classes
- Cooking, recipe and food preparation experience and comfort teaching basic kitchen skills
- Experience working with vulnerable populations
- Ability to apply strong clinical skills in a community-based setting
Benefits
- Medical, Dental & Vision
- 401(k) Matching
- Paid Time Off
- Hybrid Work
Company overview
Project Open Hand is a nonprofit organization based in San Francisco that provides nutritious meals and groceries to people living with serious illnesses, as well as seniors. Founded in 1985 during the HIV/AIDS crisis, the organization has evolved to serve individuals with various critical health conditions including cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic illnesses. Their mission focuses on improving health outcomes and quality of life through medically tailored nutrition services. Project Open Hand prepares and delivers thousands of meals weekly, operating on a "food is medicine" philosophy that recognizes nutrition as a critical component of healthcare. The organization relies heavily on volunteers and community support to maintain its operations, serving vulnerable populations who face food insecurity while managing serious health challenges. Their services include home-delivered meals, congregate dining programs, and nutrition education, all designed to support clients' medical treatment plans and promote overall wellness.