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Clinical Dietitian - Full-Time

Mercyhealth · Freeport, IL · $24.76–$39.62 an hour · Full time

Posted Oct 1, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a patient education session that went well. What made it work?

What they are checking: Whether they can teach in plain language and adjust to a patient's culture and resources.

Tell me about a time you worked with an interdisciplinary team to change a patient's care plan.

What they are checking: Whether they contribute actively to care planning instead of working only through notes.

What would you do

A physician disagrees with your diet recommendation. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: Whether they can explain their reasoning with evidence and work toward agreement respectfully.

How do you prioritize your caseload when you have more consults than time in a day?

What they are checking: Whether they triage by risk and meet follow-up timelines, as the posting stresses.

A diabetic patient keeps eating food brought in by family. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they work with families respectfully instead of lecturing, to get better results.

This role covers Freeport, Janesville and Rockford. How do you stay organized working across sites?

What they are checking: Whether they can manage logistics and keep continuity of care across locations.

The posting mentions being a resource to the community on nutrition. What kind of community talk would you give?

What they are checking: Whether they can share practical nutrition knowledge beyond the hospital in a useful way.

About the work

Walk me through how you assess a patient flagged as high nutrition risk on admission.

What they are checking: Whether they use history, labs, anthropometrics and chart review to reach a clear diagnosis and plan.

How do you decide when a patient needs enteral or parenteral nutrition, and how do you calculate their needs?

What they are checking: Whether they can make and support nutrition support recommendations to physicians.

How do you identify malnutrition, and how do you document it so the care team can act on it?

What they are checking: Whether they know criteria and that clear documentation drives treatment and accurate coding.

How would you handle a patient with renal failure on dialysis whose labs keep changing?

What they are checking: Whether they can adjust diet orders for potassium, phosphorus and fluid as labs change.

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The full job description

As published by Mercyhealth.

OVERVIEW Assess and support patients’ nutritional needs by conducting nutrition screenings, developing individualized nutrition care plans, providing patient education, and collaborating with physicians and healthcare teams to improve patient outcomes. This role also participates in interdisciplinary care planning, quality improvement initiatives, program development, and community education while maintaining high standards of documentation, patient satisfaction, and professional practice. SCHEDULE: 40-hours per week ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES • Screens and assesses patients' status for nutritional risk factors per protocol. This may include gathering information on the nutrition history, medical record review, anthropometrics. • Prepares Nutrition assessment based upon information obtained from history, including recommendation of appropriate diet prescription. Plans nutrition care goals, completes timely follow-up and documentation in the medical record. Develops and implements plan of care based assessment of nutritional needs and available sources, and correlates plan with other healthcare. Evaluates nutritional care and provides follow up continuity of care. Consults with physicians and other health care professionals to determine patient's nutritional needs and diet restrictions. • Organizes daily tasks to complete needed activities in a timely manner. Participates as a team player with the rest of the clinical nutrition staff by communicating effectively and identifying priority duties. Participates in clinical meetings to discuss policy and procedures and other topics. • Participates in interdisciplinary care rounds by providing input regarding patient nutrition status. Discusses nutrition related problems with medical, nursing, and ancillary staff to improve nutrition status of assigned patients. • Maintains accurate records and assists in statistical analysis of data. Assists in developing new programs including business plans as needed. Assists in developing policies and procedures as appropriate. Completes data for Clinical Productivity monthly. • Participates in food tasting panels, test trays, meal rounds, etc. to achieve / maintain above average ratings on patient satisfaction surveys. Inspects meals served for conformance to prescribed diets and for standards of palatability and appearance. • Provides nutrition education to patients, the community, students and other health care professionals. Develops nutrition education materials, programs, displays, etc. Speaks professionally at seminars, in-services and / or with the local media at least once a year. • Precepts dietetics and / or medical students. Evaluates dietetic student progress and provides appropriate feedback. May participate as a peer review team member at another hospital • Serves as a resource for other dietitians and/ or health care professionals in a specialty area. Provide at least one education session for other health care professionals a year. • Maintains CEU's as required for registration and licensure. Attends Mandatory In-service and completes online education as requested. EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE • Bachelor's degree from a four year college or University in Dietetics, Food Service, Food and Nutrition or related. • Completion of an accredited or approved supervised practice program • Master's Degree or Specialty Certification CERTIFICATION AND LICENSURE • Registered with Commission on Dietetic Registration. • State certification/licensure to meet state specific laws for practice as a Dietitian SKILLS AND ABILITIES • Good interpretive/analytical skills, • Good interpersonal/communication skills • Computer skills SPECIAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS • While performing the duties of the job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle or feel and talk or hear. • Good manual dexterity to operate keyboard and telephone. • The employee is occasionally has prolonged periods of sitting. • Specific vision abilities required by this job inclue; close vision, peripheral vision and ability to adjust focus. LEVEL OF SUPERVISON Some independent judgment is required, but alternatives are limited by standard practices or procedures. SUPERVISES This position has no supervisory responsibility PAY RANGE: $24.76 - $39.62 Mercyhealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer . All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. Mercyhealth offers competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package including: • Medical, Dental, Vision • Life & Disability Insurance • FSA/HSA Options • Generous, accruing paid time off • Paid Parental and caregiver leave • Career advancement and educational opportunities • Tuition and certification reimbursement • Certification Reimbursement • Well-being Programs • Employee Discounts • On-Demand Pay • Financial Education • Annual recognition/awards events • Partner appreciation days • Family entertainment/attractions discount • Community service/improvement opportunities Click here for more details regarding Mercyhealth Careers Benefit Information. At Mercyhealth, we don’t simply hire people, we empower employee-partners who are passionate about making lives better. As an integrated health system, we deliver exceptional, coordinated across seven hospitals, 85 primary and specialty clinics, and a team of over 7,500 professionals serving northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. Mercyhealth has been nationally recognized for our commitment to our people and culture, including: • #1 in the nation on AARP's Best Employers for Workers Over 50 • One of Working Mother magazine's 100 Best Companies for Working Mothers • A Top 50 Company and Top 10 Nonprofit for Executive Women

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