Internship Kidney Research Jobs (NOW HIRING)

**$10,000 sign-on incentive available for offers accepted prior to August 31 2026. Terms and conditions apply.**
VCU Health has been a pioneer in transplantation, performing heart, lung, pancreas, kidney, and liver transplants while consistently advancing the field through strong clinical leadership, innovation, and cutting-edge technology. These efforts have contributed to exceptional patient outcomes and established VCU Health as a leader in transplant care.
We are seeking an experienced Registered Dietitian to join our Transplant Nutrition team. In this role, the dietitian will provide comprehensive inpatient and outpatient nutrition care for adult heart and lung transplant patients across the continuum of care. This unique position offers the opportunity to practice advanced clinical and critical care nutrition while collaborating with a highly skilled interdisciplinary transplant team dedicated to improving patient outcomes and enhancing quality of life.
Clinical Dietitian II competently provides and documents age-appropriate medical nutrition therapy to patients as applicable to practice area.
Essential Job Statements
Provision of Nutrition Care
Utilizes the nutrition care process for provision of medical nutrition therapy. Effectively assesses age specific nutritional and educational needs to increasingly complex patients. Gains efficiency in the ability to distinguish between relevant and irrelevant data related to a patient's condition. Develops individualized nutrition plans of care to promote nutritional progress. Monitors patient's response to nutrition care and adjusts plans as indicated. Once competency is determined by the supervisor: May modify diets, order snacks/supplements, initiate and manage tube feedings. May order head circumferences, heights, lengths, weights. May propose orders for vitamins, minerals, pancreatic enzymes, parenteral nutrition. Effectively communicates with the health care team/food service regarding patient needs.
Training of Healthcare Professionals
Serves as a clinical preceptor and educator of health care professionals. Reviews learning objectives and progress with the dietetic interns, students, etc. Effectively communicates with the internship and other divisions, as appropriate, to enhance the student learning experience. Assists with training of new hires as needed.
Leadership
Involved in team data collection that supports the discovery of process change(s) for nutrition, as applicable. Develops educational materials, newsletters, etc., and reviews diet manual sections with respect to VCU Health practices. Demonstrates advancement in leadership skills by taking ownership for areas. Works with team members to encourage ongoing professional development and efficient work habits. Ongoing growth may include specialty certification as appropriate.
Research (applicable positions only)
Effectively applies and participates in research as evidenced by: Attending and actively participating in research meetings. Completing and maintaining Collaborative IRB training Initiative (CITI) certification or other requirements for the ethical conduct of research. Assists faculty in the development of the nutritional aspects of research protocols, including subject educational materials. Maintains adequate and current supplies of clinical and research educational materials. Provides administrative support to promote timely coordination of enrollment, scheduling, and tracking of research subject activities. Scheduling patients for follow-up appointments and tracking progress through the curriculum to ensure patients adhere to educational requirements outlined in study or clinic protocols. Complies with relevant research protocols. Notifies the Principle Investigator or Research Coordinator regarding potential protocol deviations or concerns about research subject safety. Maintains timely and appropriate documentation in research files.
Assists with informed consent/assent discussions, when appropriate.
Work weekends and schedules as assigned by supervisor.
Travel to satellite clinics (e.g., Stony Point, Hanover, etc.) when needed as determined by supervisor.
Adherence to the Code of Ethics for the profession of dietetics and accountability and responsibility for actions and behavior.
Patient Population: Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide equitable care appropriate to the age of the patients served on their assigned unit. Demonstrates knowledge and related competencies of the principles of growth and development of the life span and possesses the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interprets the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to their age, specific needs and to provide the equitable care needed as described in departmental policies and procedures.
Employment Qualifications
Required Education: Bachelor's degree and master's degree in nutrition or related field from an accredited college or university. Registered Dietitians are exempt from the master's requirement if they are grandfathered in prior to January 2024.
Preferred Education: Experience with clinical research protocols for applicable positions.
Licensing/ Certification
Licensure/Certification Required: Is a Registered Dietitian (RD or RDN) by the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Licensure/Certification Preferred: N/A
Minimum Qualifications
Years and Type of Required Experience: One or more years of experience providing nutrition care in an acute care setting as a Registered Dietitian.
Other Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required: Maintenance of Registered Dietitian status with the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Other Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Preferred: CPR Training for those practicing in the outpatient nutrition clinic. Experience with clinical research protocols for applicable positions.
Working Conditions: Periods of high stress and fluctuating workloads may occur. General office environment. May be exposed to physical altercations and verbal abuse. Required to car travel to off-site locations, occasionally in adverse weather conditions. May be exposed to high noise levels and bright lights. May be exposed to limited hazardous substances or body fluids. * May be exposed to human blood and other potentially infectious materials. * May have periods of constant interruptions. Prolonged periods of working alone.
* Individuals in this position are required to exercise universal precautions, use personal protective equipment and devices, and learn the policies concerning infection control.
Physical Requirements
Physical Demands: Lifting/ Carrying (0-50 lbs.), Push/ Pull (0-50 lbs.), Stoop, Kneel, Squat, Climbing, Balance, Bending
Work Position: Sitting, Walking, Standing
Additional Physical Requirements/ Hazards
Physical Requirements: Manual dexterity (eye/hand coordination), Hear alarms/telephone/tape recorder, Reach above shoulder, Repetitive arm/hand movements, Finger Dexterity, Acuity - far, Acuity - near
Hazards: Depth perception, Use of Latex Gloves, Exposure to toxic/caustic/chemicals/detergents
Mental/Sensory - Emotional
Mental/Sensory: Strong Recall, Reasoning, Problem Solving, Hearing, Speak Clearly, Write Legibly, Reading, Logical Thinking
Emotional: Fast pace environment, Able to Handle Multiple Priorities, Frequent and Intense Customer Interactions, Noisy Environment, Able to Adapt to Frequent Change
Compensation Grade Ranges:
Clinical Dietitian I: $60,008.00 - $80,683.20
Clinical Dietitian II: $62,504.00 - $87,942.40
Clinical Dietitian III: $65,000.00 - $96,740.80
Actual Salary offers will be based on several key factors to include relevant work experience, credentials, and qualifications.
EEO Employer/Disabled/Protected Veteran