Job Description

The Nutritionist provides evidence-based medical nutrition therapy to support patients across the cancer care continuum, with a focus on the prevention and treatment of malnutrition and nutrition-related symptoms associated with cancer and its treatment. The role performs comprehensive nutrition assessments, develops individualized care plans, and delivers nutrition counseling and education to patients and caregivers in ambulatory and/or inpatient settings.

This position collaborates closely with physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, pharmacists, and other members of the interdisciplinary care team to integrate nutrition goals into the overall clinical plan of care. The Nutritionist documents assessments, interventions, and patient progress in the electronic medical record in accordance with institutional and regulatory standards.
The role also contributes to quality improvement and patient safety initiatives and supports the development and standardization of nutrition-related workflows, clinical practices, and patient education resources.

Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is a leader in life changing breakthroughs in cancer research and patient care. We are united in our mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS, and related diseases. We strive to create an inclusive, diverse, and equitable environment where we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all backgrounds, and design programs to promote public health particularly among high-risk and underserved populations. We conduct groundbreaking research that advances treatment, we educate tomorrow's physician/researchers, and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conducts comprehensive nutrition assessments for oncology patients, including evaluation of dietary intake, weight history, laboratory data, treatment plan, and nutrition risk factors.
• Develops and implements individualized nutrition care plans to support patients undergoing cancer treatment, focusing on maintaining nutritional status and optimizing treatment tolerance.
• Monitors patients for malnutrition, unintentional weight loss, cachexia, and nutrition-related complications, and adjusts care plans accordingly.
• Provides evidence-based nutrition counseling and education to patients and caregivers regarding nutrition during chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, and survivorship.
• Assesses and manages treatment-related nutrition symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, mucositis, taste changes, anorexia, diarrhea, and constipation.
• Recommends appropriate therapeutic diets, oral nutrition supplements, and hydration strategies to support patient needs during treatment.
• Provides guidance on food safety practices for immunocompromised patients to reduce infection risk.
• Collaborates with physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, pharmacists, and other members of the interdisciplinary oncology care team to coordinate patient-centered care.
• Participates in multidisciplinary care discussions and clinical care planning to support optimal patient outcomes.
• Documents nutrition assessments, interventions, and patient progress in the electronic medical record (EMR) in accordance with institutional and regulatory standards.
• Utilizes standardized nutrition screening and malnutrition identification tools to support early identification and intervention.
• Facilitates referrals to nutrition support services, community resources, or specialized care as appropriate.
• Contributes to quality improvement initiatives and program development related to oncology nutrition and malnutrition prevention.
• Develops and maintains patient education materials and nutrition resources to support ambulatory oncology care.
• Maintains professional competency through continuing education and adherence to current oncology nutrition guidelines and best practices.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of medical nutrition therapy principles, the Nutrition Care Process, and evidence-based nutrition guidelines for complex conditions, including cancer and treatment-related side effects.
• Ability to recognize, assess, and address malnutrition and nutrition-impact symptoms, and to prioritize interventions based on patient acuity, clinical risk, and patient-centered goals.
• Proficiency in nutrition counseling techniques, including motivational interviewing and health behavior change strategies, with the ability to tailor education to varying health literacy levels, cultural contexts, and readiness to change.
• Strong clinical judgment and critical thinking skills to synthesize multidisciplinary clinical information (e.g., diagnosis, treatment plans, laboratory values, medications, and comorbidities) into appropriate nutrition recommendations.
• Ability to work effectively within an interdisciplinary care team, establish collaborative relationships with clinical partners, and coordinate care across ambulatory, inpatient, and ancillary services as needed.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to document clearly and concisely in the electronic medical record and communicate nutrition recommendations to providers and staff.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple patients and competing priorities while maintaining accuracy, timeliness, and patient confidentiality.
• Proficiency with clinical systems and documentation tools, including electronic medical records and reporting systems, with the ability to use data to support care planning and quality improvement.
• Knowledge of food safety practices and infection prevention principles relevant to immunocompromised patient populations.
• Demonstrated commitment to professional ethics, continuous learning, and adherence to applicable policies, procedures, and standards of practice.

Minimum Job Qualifications:

Bachelor's Degree in Nutrition, Dietetics, Clinical Nutrition, Food and Nutrition Sciences, or related field required. 1-2 years of clinical nutrition experience providing medical nutrition therapy in a healthcare setting required.

License/Certification/Registration Required:

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) required.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None

Patient Contact:

Yes

Special Working Conditions:

Hybrid

At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we work every day to create an innovative, caring, and inclusive environment where every patient, family, and staff member feels they belong. As relentless as we are in our mission to reduce the burden of cancer for all, we are committed to having faculty and staff who offer multifaceted experiences. Cancer knows no boundaries and when it comes to hiring the most dedicated and compassionate professionals, neither do we. If working in this kind of organization inspires you, we encourage you to apply.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is an equal opportunity employer and affirms the right of every qualified applicant to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, age, ancestry, military service, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

EEO Poster

Pay Transparency Statement

The hiring range is based on market pay structures, with individual salaries determined by factors such as business needs, market conditions, internal equity, and based on the candidate’s relevant experience, skills and qualifications.

For union positions, the pay range is determined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

$64,300.00 - $79,000.00