The part-time sports dietitian provides individual and group/team nutrition counseling and education to enhance the performance of competitive and recreational athletes, on-site and during travel. Primary responsibilities include counseling individuals and groups on daily nutrition for performance and health; translating the latest scientific evidence into practical sports nutrition recommendations; tracking and documenting outcomes of nutrition services, serving as a food and nutrition resource for coaches, trainers, and parents; providing sports nutrition education for health/wellness programs, athletic teams, and community groups; and maintaining professional competency and skills required for professional practice.
Full Job Description:
**PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Individual Nutrition Counseling**
Assesses and analyzes dietary practices, body composition, and energy balance (intake and expenditure) of athletes in the context of athletic performance and health.
Counsels athletes on optimal nutrition for exercise training (match nutrition to training phases and goals), competition, recovery from exercise, weight management, hydration, immunity, disordered eating, travel, and supplementation.
Counsels athletes on achieving and maintaining a level of body mass, body fat, and muscle mass that is consistent with good health and good performance.
Job Title:
Part-time Sports Dietitian
Job Summary:
The part-time sports dietitian provides individual and group/team nutrition counseling and education to enhance the performance of competitive and recreational athletes, on-site and during travel. Primary responsibilities include counseling individuals and groups on daily nutrition for performance and health; translating the latest scientific evidence into practical sports nutrition recommendations; tracking and documenting outcomes of nutrition services, serving as a food and nutrition resource for coaches, trainers, and parents; providing sports nutrition education for health/wellness programs, athletic teams, and community groups; and maintaining professional competency and skills required for professional practice.
Assesses and analyzes dietary practices, body composition, and energy balance (intake and expenditure) of athletes in the context of athletic performance and health.
Counsels athletes on optimal nutrition for exercise training (match nutrition to training phases and goals), competition, recovery from exercise, weight management, hydration, immunity, disordered eating, travel, and supplementation.
Counsels athletes on achieving and maintaining a level of body mass, body fat, and muscle mass that is consistent with good health and good performance.
Provides personalized meal and snack plans to promote achieving short- and long-term goals for athletic performance and good health.
Develops and counsels in hydration protocols.
Addresses nutritional challenges to performance, such as food allergies, bone mineral disturbances, gastrointestinal disturbances, iron depletion, and iron-deficiency anemia.
Provides medical nutrition therapy, as needed, to help manage or treat medical conditions. Additionally, provides appropriate referrals for medical supervision as necessary.
Counsels athletes on optimal nutrition for recovery from illness or injury.
Coordinates nutritional care as a member of multidisciplinary sports medical/sports science teams.
Provides liaison with in- and out-patient programs for conditions such as disordered eating.
Evaluates nutritional supplements (NCAA Guidelines), including herbal supplements, for the legality, safety, quality, and efficacy; monitors use of appropriate supplementation per NCAA banned list of substances.
Collaborates with the individual’s family, physician, coach, and other health professionals, as appropriate or when medically necessary.
Develops resources to support educational efforts.
Educates in food selection (grocery store tours, food storage) and food preparation (cooking classes).
Documents nutrition services provided and evaluates the effectiveness of nutrition strategies towards meeting desired outcomes.
Educates and mentors dietetic interns and others as appropriate.
Develops and oversees nutrition policies and procedures and remains NCAA compliant annually.
Food Service and Menu Development
Coordinates/manages quantity food production and distribution such as developing and managing training table menus and catering.
Recommends nutrition for team travel.
Manages budgets for purchasing and distribution of nutritional supplements.
Nutrition Education for Teams, Groups, or Wellness Programs
Develops and delivers nutrition education presentations, demonstrations, or events on various topics related to nutrition for performance.
Plans menus for training table and team travel.
Recommends appropriate pre-, during, and post-exercise fluids and snacks for individual training, team practice, and competition.
Provides individual nutrition counseling as needed.
Serves as a nutrition resource for coaches, teachers, trainers, food service personnel, and parents.
Professional Development
Maintains dietetic registration and continuing education requirements.
Develops and implements an individualized portfolio plan for professional growth and development including participation in professional organizations and activities, workshops, seminars, and development programs.
Stays abreast of current food, nutrition, and health issues and research related to sports nutrition.
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REQUIREMENTS
Education/Experience : Bachelor’s degree in clinical nutrition, food and nutrition, or related area, granted from a U.S. regionally accredited college or university. Master’s degree in nutrition or exercise physiology preferred. Completion of a didactic program in dietetics and supervised practice program approved by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE) of the American Dietetic Association.
Certification/License: Registered Dietitian with active registration by the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics; Certification/Licensure as required by state of practice. Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD) preferred.
Skills/Abilities :
Excellent communication, presentation, and counseling skills.
Ability to accurately measure height, and body weight.
Ability to accurately assess body composition (body mass, body fat, and muscle mass).
Ability to accurately assess and evaluate energy balance.
Knowledge of eating disorder/disordered eating signs and symptoms.
Comprehensive knowledge and application of medical nutrition therapy, including interviewing and education techniques.
Self-motivation and ability to work independently.
Excellent time management, organizational, and record-keeping skills.
Knowledge of complementary medicine, ergogenic aids, and nutritional supplements, including herbal supplements.
Competence with nutrient analysis, word processing, and presentation software.
Compliance with all NCAA guidelines.
Compliance with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).
Knowledge of rules and regulations of athletic governing bodies: e.g., National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), regarding banned drugs and restricted substances.
Knowledge of measurements of resting metabolic rate, energy expenditure, VO2max, and lactate threshold.
Knowledge of food service quality and safety procedures.