OPT Clinical Dietitian Jobs
Clinical Dietitian jobs on OPT require a registered dietitian credential, which means passing the RD exam and meeting state licensure requirements before you can practice. Most roles qualify as STEM-adjacent under healthcare science, supporting a 24-month STEM OPT extension for eligible F-1 students with qualifying degrees.
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INTRODUCTION
Use your passion for service to create a positive impact and make a difference in the communities we serve!
Sodexo is seeking a Registered Dietitian for a full time position with the Capital Health System in New Jersey. In this role, you’ll have the opportunity to provide inpatient coverage (or split inpatient/outpatient coverage) at one of two campuses in Pennington and/or Trenton, NJ.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
What You'll Do:
- maintain a strong working knowledge of nutrition standards of care for patients in the inpatient and outpatient settings;
- have demonstrated competence with healthcare applications (Cerner and Healthtouch preferred);
- provide hospital-wide coverage across two acute care campuses;
- work closely with an interdisciplinary team, providing education as needed; and
- represent the Food & Nutrition Department as a liaison with the medical and nursing staff.
WHAT WE OFFER
Compensation is fair and equitable, partially determined by a candidate's education level or years of relevant experience. Salary offers are based on a candidate's specific criteria, like experience, skills, education, and training. Sodexo offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include:
- Medical, Dental, Vision Care and Wellness Programs
- 401(k) Plan with Matching Contributions
- Paid Time Off and Company Holidays
- Career Growth Opportunities and Tuition Reimbursement
More extensive information is provided to new employees upon hire.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
What You Bring:
- Registered Dietitian credentials;
- excellent verbal and written communication skills;
- demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities and adapt to changing needs;
- a history of working independently with minimal direction and with a positive outlook; and
- a commitment to continued education in the nutrition field.
QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS
Minimum Education Requirement:
Master's degree with completion of required coursework and supervised practice as dictated by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).
For those eligible for the registration exam prior to 1/1/24:
Bachelor's degree with completion of required coursework and supervised practice as dictated by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).
Credentials Requirement:
Meets eligibility requirements for Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RD/RDN) by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) and will become registered within 120 days of hire. In some states and/or facilities the RD/RDN credentials is required at the time of hire.
Certification/licensure as required by state(s) of practice. In some states and/or facilities state certification/licensure is required at the time of hire.
At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone and build a better life for all. We believe in improving the quality of life for those we serve and contributing to the economic, social, and environmental progress in the communities where we operate. Sodexo partners with clients to provide a truly memorable experience for both customers and employees alike.
Our company values you for you; you will be treated fairly and with respect, and you can be yourself. You will have your ideas count and your opinions heard because we can be a stronger team when you’re happy at work. This is why we embrace diversity and inclusion as core values, fostering an environment where all employees are valued and respected. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to individuals regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, military status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you need assistance with the application process, please complete this form.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Clinical Dietitian
Prioritize RD credential before your OPT start date
The RD exam through CDR is a hard requirement for most clinical dietitian roles. Sitting for and passing it before your OPT begins removes a major hiring barrier and signals to employers you're ready to work immediately without credential delays.
Target hospital systems with established HR infrastructure
Large hospital networks like academic medical centers and regional health systems have dedicated HR and legal teams familiar with OPT paperwork. Smaller private practices often lack the administrative capacity to manage work authorization documentation, making them less reliable OPT sponsors.
Confirm state licensure compatibility with your OPT timeline
Dietitian licensure requirements vary by state, and some states have processing times of six to twelve weeks. Apply for your state license as early as possible so licensure and your OPT employment authorization overlap cleanly from day one.
Frame your STEM OPT extension eligibility upfront
Nutrition and dietetics degrees from STEM-designated programs qualify graduates for 24-month STEM OPT extensions. Telling employers you have three years of total OPT eligibility significantly reduces their concern about short authorization windows and H-1B visa transition timelines.
Target roles with H-1B sponsorship history in healthcare
Hospitals and healthcare systems that have previously sponsored H-1B visas for dietitians are far more likely to continue doing so. Ask HR directly whether they have sponsored work visas before and whether their legal team is familiar with healthcare specialty occupation filings.
Highlight clinical rotations and supervised practice hours clearly
Employers want proof of hands-on clinical competency, not just coursework. Quantify your supervised practice hours, the patient populations you worked with, and any specialty areas like renal, oncology, or critical care nutrition to differentiate yourself from other new graduates.
Clinical Dietitian OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Clinical Dietitian jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree program's CIP code. Nutrition and dietetics programs classified under STEM-designated codes qualify graduates for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you up to three years of total OPT work authorization. Confirm your program's designation with your DSO before assuming eligibility, as not every nutrition degree program holds STEM status.
How do I find Clinical Dietitian employers who sponsor OPT?
Migrate Mate is the most direct way to find clinical dietitian roles where employers are open to OPT work authorization. Searching general job boards makes it difficult to filter for sponsorship-friendly employers. Migrate Mate surfaces roles specifically relevant to F-1 OPT students, saving you the time of filtering through listings that won't work for your situation.
Do I need to be a Registered Dietitian to work on OPT as a Clinical Dietitian?
Yes, virtually all clinical dietitian roles require RD credentials from the Commission on Dietetic Registration. Most states also require a state dietitian license before you can practice. Both credentials are independent of your immigration status, but they must be secured before or immediately at the start of your OPT employment period to avoid gaps in authorized work.
Is Clinical Dietitian considered a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes. Clinical dietitian roles generally qualify as specialty occupations under H-1B rules because they require at minimum a bachelor's degree in dietetics, nutrition science, or a directly related field. The position's direct reliance on a specific body of specialized knowledge makes it a strong fit for H-1B petitions, which matters when you're evaluating employers for long-term sponsorship potential beyond OPT.
Can I work as a Clinical Dietitian at multiple healthcare facilities on OPT?
OPT work must be directly related to your degree and at least 20 hours per week for full-time OPT students. Working at multiple facilities is permitted if the combined work is consistent with your authorized field. Each employer must be reported to your DSO through your school's system. Unauthorized employment, even part-time at a second site, puts your OPT status at risk.