OPT Nutritionist Jobs
Nutritionist jobs on OPT are available across hospitals, outpatient clinics, corporate wellness programs, and public health agencies. Most roles require a bachelor's or master's degree in nutrition or dietetics, and many employers will sponsor H-1B visa after your OPT period. STEM OPT extension eligibility depends on your specific degree classification.
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INTRODUCTION
Sodexo is seeking a full-time Registered Dietitian to come join their clinical team at SSM Health - St Mary's Hospital, a 440-bed acute care facility located in Madison, Wisconsin.
Seeking experienced dietitians! Benefits include 3 weeks’ vacation + 3 personal days, reimbursement of AND dues, CDR fees, continuing education, $5000 tuition reimbursement, meal stipend & on site parking.
ABOUT THE JOB
Join a dynamic and mission-driven team where you’ll make a meaningful impact by supporting the nutritional well-being of patients, residents, and communities. Whether you're just beginning your career or looking to grow your expertise, you'll contribute to high-quality care through evidence-based practice, collaboration, and continuous improvement in a supportive healthcare environment.
The role of an individual contributor within the organization focuses on completing specific tasks and projects; contributing directly through their skills and expertise. Performs specialized technical tasks to support operations. Work is primarily achieved independently, however may collaborate with a team.
PAY RANGE: $64600 per year - $83600 per year
WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU
- Deliver nutrition care for patients, residents, and communities as part of a contractual agreement, using the Nutrition Care Process (assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring, and evaluation).
- Act as a nutrition resource for patients, peers, and foodservice staff; collaborate across interdisciplinary teams and departments to ensure safe, high-quality care.
- Provide evidence-based nutrition counseling and training to patients, healthcare staff, students, and foodservice teams, adjusting content for clinical complexity.
- Maintain professional practices aligned with regulatory, facility, and company standards, supporting Sodexo’s mission and client commitments.
- Participate in or lead performance improvement initiatives to enhance clinical outcomes, operational efficiency, and service quality.
- Demonstrate ongoing professional growth through continuing education, skill development, and contributions to training or research.
WHAT YOU’LL BRING
- Proficiency in applying the Nutrition Care Process to deliver individualized, evidence-based care.
- Effective communication and collaboration skills across interdisciplinary teams and with diverse populations.
- Knowledge of regulatory requirements, ethical standards, and organizational policies.
- Flexibility and accountability in managing clinical responsibilities and supporting quality improvement efforts.
- Competence in using clinical nutrition systems and a commitment to continuous professional development.
REQUIREMENTS
- Education Requirement:
- Master’s degree in nutrition, dietetics, or related field with required coursework and supervised practice per ACEND guidelines
- OR, for those eligible prior to 1/1/2024: Bachelor’s degree meeting ACEND requirements.
- Management Experience: 0-1 years
- Related Experience: 0-3 years
- Credentials Requirement:
- Meets eligibility for Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RD/RDN) via CDR and will become registered within 120 days of hire
- Must meet state licensure/certification requirements at time of hire where applicable
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.
WHO WE ARE
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. We do this by providing food service, catering, facilities management, and other integrated solutions worldwide.
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 Nutritionist
Target healthcare systems with established sponsorship track records
Large hospital networks and integrated health systems regularly sponsor nutritionists for H-1B visas. Focus your search on employers with 500 or more employees, as they have dedicated HR and immigration infrastructure to support work authorization transitions after OPT.
Clarify your RD credential status early in conversations
Employers often conflate Registered Dietitian licensure with nutritionist roles. If you hold or are pursuing RD credentials, communicate this clearly. Licensed clinical roles are easier to classify as specialty occupations, which strengthens both your OPT employment and future H-1B eligibility.
Check whether your degree qualifies for the STEM OPT extension
Some nutrition and dietetics programs carry STEM-designated CIP codes, which unlock a 24-month OPT extension. Confirm your program's CIP code with your DSO before accepting an offer, as this significantly changes your employment timeline and sponsorship negotiation leverage.
Frame your role as a specialty occupation when discussing immigration
Nutritionist positions require a specific degree in a defined field, which meets the specialty occupation standard needed for H-1B sponsorship. Prepare a brief explanation of how your degree directly applies to your job duties to help HR teams understand the sponsorship case.
Pursue state licensure or RD credentialing during your OPT period
Many states require licensure to practice as a clinical nutritionist. Completing licensure during OPT demonstrates professional commitment and makes you a stronger H-1B candidate, since USCIS views licensed healthcare roles as inherently specialty occupations with clearer petition pathways.
Approach public health agencies and university nutrition programs
Government health departments and university wellness or research programs frequently hire OPT nutritionists and have experience with work authorization. These employers often offer structured sponsorship timelines, which reduces uncertainty around the H-1B filing window following your OPT authorization period.
Nutritionist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a nutritionist on OPT without being a Registered Dietitian?
Yes. OPT work authorization is tied to your degree field, not to professional licensure. You can work in nutrition-related roles that align with your degree without holding an RD credential. However, clinical positions in hospitals or outpatient settings often require state licensure or RD status, so verify the specific role requirements before applying.
Do nutritionist jobs qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your program's CIP code. Some nutrition and dietetics degrees are classified under STEM-designated fields, which makes graduates eligible for the 24-month extension. Others are not. Check with your Designated School Official to confirm your program's CIP code before assuming STEM eligibility, as this significantly affects how long you can work on OPT.
Which types of employers are most likely to sponsor nutritionists for H-1B after OPT?
Large hospital systems, integrated health networks, corporate wellness companies, and public health agencies are the most consistent H-1B sponsors for nutritionists. These employers have legal and HR infrastructure built for immigration sponsorship. You can browse verified OPT-friendly nutritionist employers on Migrate Mate, which filters for companies with sponsorship experience.
How does a nutritionist role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
A nutritionist position qualifies as a specialty occupation when it requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific field, such as nutrition, dietetics, or food science, as a minimum entry requirement. If the role requires that specific academic background, USCIS generally accepts it as a specialty occupation. Roles with vague degree requirements can complicate the petition, so job description language matters.
Can I do a supervised internship or clinical rotation on OPT as part of a dietetic internship program?
Yes, supervised practical experience that is directly related to your degree field is permitted under OPT. If you are completing a dietetic internship as part of your path to RD credentialing, it can qualify as OPT employment as long as it meets USCIS requirements for OPT work authorization. Confirm the arrangement with your DSO and ensure the internship program can verify the training is field-related.