Clinical Dietitian Jobs in Illinois
Clinical Dietitian jobs in Illinois are concentrated in acute care hospitals, long-term care facilities, and outpatient clinical settings, with demand steady at every level from new-graduate registered dietitians to senior clinical nutrition specialists. The bulk of openings are in Chicago, the broader Chicagoland suburbs, and Springfield, anchored by large employers like Northwestern Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, and Advocate Health Care. The most in-demand specialties are critical care nutrition, renal dietetics, and oncology nutrition support. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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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 - $39.62Mercyhealth 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
See All 33 Clinical Dietitian Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Clinical Dietitian JobsClinical Dietitian Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Clinical Dietitian Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in clinical dietitian jobs across Illinois.
- Active Illinois registered dietitian nutritionist license or eligibility to obtain one
- Registered Dietitian Nutritionist credential from the Commission on Dietetic Registration
- Bachelor's or master's degree in dietetics, nutrition, or a closely related field
- Completion of an accredited supervised practice program or dietetic internship
- Experience with medical nutrition therapy in an inpatient or outpatient clinical setting
- Proficiency with electronic health records and clinical documentation systems
Clinical Dietitian Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a clinical dietitian in Illinois?
To become a clinical dietitian in Illinois, you must earn a bachelor's or master's degree in dietetics or nutrition from an accredited program, complete an accredited supervised practice program, and pass the Commission on Dietetic Registration exam to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. Illinois requires a separate state license issued by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, so you must apply for and hold an active Illinois Dietitian Nutritionist license before practicing clinically in the state.
How much do clinical dietitians make in Illinois?
Clinical dietitians in Illinois earn a median of about $73,520 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $51,330 for the lowest 10% to over $115,190 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire clinical dietitians in Illinois?
Employers hiring clinical dietitians in Illinois right now include Mercyhealth, OSF HealthCare, and Morrison Healthcare, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. Illinois's large integrated health systems, including those operating across the Chicago metro and downstate communities, account for the majority of consistent openings throughout the year.
Which Illinois cities have the most clinical dietitian jobs?
Chicago, Freeport, and Rockford have the most clinical dietitian openings in Illinois. Chicago drives the largest share of demand, supported by its dense concentration of academic medical centers, Level I trauma hospitals, and specialty care networks, while suburban Chicagoland cities and Springfield see steady openings tied to regional health systems and state government healthcare facilities serving those communities.
Are there remote clinical dietitian jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're rare. Clinical dietitian roles are primarily hands-on and patient-facing, so fully remote positions make up a small share of the overall market. About 0% of clinical dietitian openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, with telehealth nutrition counseling and outpatient medical nutrition therapy representing the parts of the role most likely to be performed remotely.
How can I get hired as a clinical dietitian in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying directly to new-graduate or dietetic residency programs at large Illinois health systems, such as those offered through Northwestern Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, and Advocate Health Care, which are structured for candidates completing their dietetic internship. Applying for nutrition assistant or diet technician roles at Illinois hospitals and long-term care facilities is a practical lateral move that builds clinical exposure. Holding an active Illinois Dietitian Nutritionist license and any specialty certification from the Commission on Dietetic Registration gives new candidates a clear edge in a competitive applicant pool.
Where can I find and apply to clinical dietitian jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to clinical dietitian jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings across hospitals, outpatient clinics, long-term care facilities, and other healthcare settings. Find roles that fit your experience and credentials and apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 33 Clinical Dietitian Jobs in Illinois
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