Dietitian - Dietitian

HCA Houston Med Ctr · Galena Park, TX Full Time

Job Description

A Dietitian is a healthcare professional who specializes in food and nutrition. Dietitians assess the nutritional needs of patients, develop personalized nutrition plans, and provide guidance to improve health outcomes. They work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, schools, nursing homes, fitness centers, and private practice. The role involves educating individuals or groups about healthy eating habits, managing chronic diseases, and promoting overall wellness. Key Responsibilities : Nutritional Assessment : Conduct assessments of patients’ or clients' dietary habits, medical history, lifestyle, and specific health conditions. Analyze lab results, physical assessments, and health information to identify nutrition-related problems. Develop customized nutrition plans based on the individual’s health goals, such as weight management, diabetes control, or heart health. Dietary Planning : Design personalized meal plans for individuals with special dietary needs (e.g., food allergies, intolerances, chronic diseases, or cultural preferences). Recommend appropriate dietary interventions to manage or prevent health conditions (e.g., hypertension, diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders). Collaborate with healthcare teams (e.g., doctors, nurses) to create holistic care plans for patients. Education & Counseling : Educate individuals or groups on nutrition-related topics, such as healthy eating, balanced diet, and proper food handling. Provide one-on-one counseling to help clients set and achieve their nutritional goals. Offer support and guidance to patients in making sustainable lifestyle and dietary changes, addressing barriers such as time, cost, and preferences. Monitoring and Evaluation : Monitor patients' progress with diet plans, adjusting recommendations as necessary to meet changing health needs. Keep detailed records of patient interactions, progress, and outcomes. Conduct follow-up assessments to track progress, troubleshoot issues, and celebrate successes. Collaboration and Coordination : Work closely with other healthcare professionals (physicians, nurses, therapists) to ensure comprehensive care for patients. Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings to discuss and plan patient care. Contribute to the development of nutrition policies and procedures within healthcare institutions. Nutritional Program Development : Develop and implement nutrition education programs or workshops for different groups, such as schools, corporate offices, or community centers. Prepare and deliver presentations on various nutrition topics, including weight management, cardiovascular health, and healthy eating habits. Research and Staying Current : Stay up-to-date with the latest nutrition research, guidelines, and trends. Contribute to nutrition-related research, projects, and initiatives within healthcare settings. Apply evidence-based practices and current research findings to improve patient care and outcomes. Menu Planning (if applicable) : Work with food service teams (e.g., in hospitals, schools, or nursing homes) to create healthy and balanced menus. Ensure that the menus meet the nutritional needs of various populations and dietary restrictions.

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What Most Job Listings Don’t Tell You

General overview for this role type — specific duties and requirements vary by employer.

Support roles in senior living — housekeeping, maintenance, activities, and social work — are far more resident-facing than similar positions in other industries. Housekeepers and maintenance staff interact with residents in their personal living spaces daily, which requires discretion, patience, and genuine respect for the people who live there. In Texas, even non-clinical staff must complete facility-specific training on topics like abuse prevention, infection control, and emergency procedures.

Activities coordinators and social workers play a direct role in resident well-being — isolation and depression are significant concerns in senior living, and programming that keeps residents socially engaged has measurable health outcomes. Maintenance staff in senior care need to understand life-safety systems (fire alarms, emergency generators, call systems) and are often the first responders for building emergencies. Background checks are required for all positions, and many facilities prefer candidates who have previous experience working with older adults.

What to Expect in This Role Day-to-Day

Based on typical senior living facilities in the Houston area.

For housekeeping roles, the day follows a room-by-room schedule — cleaning resident rooms, sanitizing common areas, managing laundry, and responding to spill or accident cleanups as they happen. Infection control protocols are more rigorous than in hotels or commercial cleaning, especially during flu season or respiratory illness outbreaks.

Maintenance staff handle a daily work order queue — everything from changing light bulbs and fixing call buttons to HVAC maintenance and plumbing repairs. Life-safety equipment checks (fire extinguishers, exit lighting, generator testing) happen on set schedules. Activities professionals plan and lead group programming — exercise classes, crafts, music sessions, outings — and also provide one-on-one engagement for residents who cannot participate in group settings. Social workers manage care conferences, discharge planning, family mediation, and community resource referrals. Across all these roles, the common thread is that you become a familiar, trusted presence in residents' daily lives.

Houston Area Salary Data

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Home Health and Personal Care Aide positions in the Houston metro area earn a median wage of $10.97/hr ($22,818/yr). The typical range is $10.60 – $13.28/hr (25th–75th percentile).

Entry Level (10th) $20,613/yr

Houston Median $22,818/yr

Experienced (90th) $30,597/yr

vs. National Median -34.6%

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX Metro Area). Salary data provided by Houston Senior Living Guide.