OPT Registered Dietitian Jobs
Registered Dietitian jobs on OPT require employer sponsorship for the LCA and, eventually, H-1B visa or EB-3 status. Healthcare systems, hospital networks, and outpatient clinics are the most active sponsors. Your RD credential and state licensure are the core qualifications that make sponsorship straightforward for most employers.
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OHSU is Oregon’s only public academic health center. We are a system of hospitals and clinics across Oregon and southwest Washington. We are an institution of higher learning, with schools of medicine, nursing, pharmacy, dentistry and public health – and with a network of campuses and partners throughout Oregon. We are a national research hub, with thousands of scientists developing lifesaving therapies and deeper understanding. We are a statewide economic engine and Portland’s largest employer. And as a public organization, we provide services for the most vulnerable Oregonians, and outreach to improve health in communities across the state.
The purpose of this position is to provide specialized medical nutrition therapy to pediatric patients with congenital and/or acquired diseases of infancy and childhood using the nutrition care process of assessment, diagnosis, intervention, and monitoring and evaluation; to reduce morbidity and mortality due to malnutrition, and to promote wellness. Position includes Adolescent Health (Eating Disorders), Weight Management, and GI. May also provide care to adult patients as dictated by staffing needs.
Function/Duties of Position:
Provides medical nutrition therapy to pediatric outpatient population
Nutrition Assessment:
- Consults medical team, nursing, social work, and other therapies (PT/OT/Speech and Language, etc.) concerning problems affecting patient's food habits and needs; interviews parents or care giver to obtain diet history, food or formula tolerances, allergies, social/economic/cultural information, food preparation habits and cooking facilities; inquiries about food preferences, chewing or swallowing difficulties, completes anthropometric measurements; analyzes patient's data (diagnosis, medications, medical history) to determine nutritional status and develop nutrition care plan.
Nutrition Care Plan:
- Recommends and documents appropriate medical nutrition therapy; advises physicians, nurses, and other health care team regarding implementation of nutrition care; selects types and amounts of food for special diets based on indicated physiological, psychological and biochemical needs of patients and integrates them with food preferences; indicates mode of feeding for infants or children with chewing or swallowing difficulties; assesses the need for alternate means of nutrition support (i.e. enteral vs. parenteral) and develops appropriate formulation.
Nutrition Care Plan Follow-up:
- Evaluates meals served for conformance to prescribed diet and standards of palatability and appearance; conducts nutrition rounds to note patient's adherence to nutritional plan; monitors anthropometric, biochemical indices and caloric intake to determine appropriateness of care plan; modifies nutritional intervention as necessary; participates in patient care conferences and multi-disciplinary team meetings; plans for patient, parent or care giver counseling for nutrition modification.
Nutrition Instruction:
- Counsels' patient, parents, or care giver in appropriate diet and/or formula modifications; provides educational materials and verbal instruction to support inpatient and outpatient nutrition care plan; provides education material to other health team members regarding infant formulas, nutrition supplements or diet modifications; acts a resource for OHSU and surrounding community in the area of pediatric nutrition.
Required Qualifications:
- A bachelor’s degree with specialization in dietetics, nutrition, institution management, or a closely related field and completion of a pre-planned professional experience in dietetics at a facility approved by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)
- Registered Dietitian/Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR)
- Licensed Dietitian in the state of Oregon
- Additional certifications may be required based on the specific department the position resides in, as indicated by the position description.
Job Related Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (Competencies):
- Must be proficient in the nutrition care process.
- Must be able to determine the nutrient requirements of the pediatric inpatient and outpatient to ensure adequate nutrient intake and/or replacement of nutrients loss secondary to medical condition;
- determine the nutrient make-up of patients meal patterns and medications (dosage and timing) that affect nutrient and/or drug bioavailability;
- determine malnutrition and recommend and administer medical nutrition therapy to improve digestion, absorption and metabolism of nutrients;
- make recommendations concerning adjustment of some medications that relate to nutrition, in order to promote increased well-being of the patient, maintenance of acceptable blood chemistries, increased bioavailability of drugs, decreased hospitalization days, and cost-effectiveness of regimens.
- Must complete annual age specific competency training and post test.
Preferred Qualifications:
- MS in Nutrition or related field
- 2 years clinical experience with 1 year working in pediatrics strongly preferred
- Specialist in Pediatric Nutrition or other qualifying certification to meet the criteria of Clinical Dietitian Specialist. If employee meets criteria the position will be reclassified as a Clinical Dietitian Specialist.
- WA Certificate (CD) required within six months of hire.
Additional Details:
Day Shift; days may vary; includes evening clinics. Weekend and holiday rotations. Shares office with 4-10 other dietitians, position may include hybrid-telework.
Why apply to OHSU?: We are Oregon's only public academic health center. In addition to caring for patients, we lead groundbreaking research. We also train the next generation of health care professionals. As Portland's largest employer, we give you opportunities to learn and advance in a system of hospitals and clinics across Oregon and Southwest Washington. All are welcome. OHSU welcomes people of all ages, ethnicities, genders, national origins, religions and sexual orientations. We are striving to build an anti-racist, multicultural institution and encourage people with diverse backgrounds to apply. To request reasonable accommodation, contact askhr@ohsu.edu
Department Overview:
OHSU is Oregon’s only public academic health center. We are a system of hospitals and clinics across Oregon and southwest Washington. We are an institution of higher learning, with schools of medicine, nursing, pharmacy, dentistry and public health – and with a network of campuses and partners throughout Oregon. We are a national research hub, with thousands of scientists developing lifesaving therapies and deeper understanding. We are a statewide economic engine and Portland’s largest employer. And as a public organization, we provide services for the most vulnerable Oregonians, and outreach to improve health in communities across the state.
The purpose of this position is to provide specialized medical nutrition therapy to pediatric patients with congenital and/or acquired diseases of infancy and childhood using the nutrition care process of assessment, diagnosis, intervention, and monitoring and evaluation; to reduce morbidity and mortality due to malnutrition, and to promote wellness. Position includes Adolescent Health (Eating Disorders), Weight Management, and GI. May also provide care to adult patients as dictated by staffing needs.
Function/Duties of Position:
Provides medical nutrition therapy to pediatric outpatient population
Nutrition Assessment:
- Consults medical team, nursing, social work, and other therapies (PT/OT/Speech and Language, etc.) concerning problems affecting patient's food habits and needs; interviews parents or care giver to obtain diet history, food or formula tolerances, allergies, social/economic/cultural information, food preparation habits and cooking facilities; inquiries about food preferences, chewing or swallowing difficulties, completes anthropometric measurements; analyzes patient's data (diagnosis, medications, medical history) to determine nutritional status and develop nutrition care plan.
Nutrition Care Plan:
- Recommends and documents appropriate medical nutrition therapy; advises physicians, nurses, and other health care team regarding implementation of nutrition care; selects types and amounts of food for special diets based on indicated physiological, psychological and biochemical needs of patients and integrates them with food preferences; indicates mode of feeding for infants or children with chewing or swallowing difficulties; assesses the need for alternate means of nutrition support (i.e. enteral vs. parenteral) and develops appropriate formulation.
Nutrition Care Plan Follow-up:
- Evaluates meals served for conformance to prescribed diet and standards of palatability and appearance; conducts nutrition rounds to note patient's adherence to nutritional plan; monitors anthropometric, biochemical indices and caloric intake to determine appropriateness of care plan; modifies nutritional intervention as necessary; participates in patient care conferences and multi-disciplinary team meetings; plans for patient, parent or care giver counseling for nutrition modification.
Nutrition Instruction:
- Counsels' patient, parents, or care giver in appropriate diet and/or formula modifications; provides educational materials and verbal instruction to support inpatient and outpatient nutrition care plan; provides education material to other health team members regarding infant formulas, nutrition supplements or diet modifications; acts a resource for OHSU and surrounding community in the area of pediatric nutrition.
Required Qualifications:
- A bachelor’s degree with specialization in dietetics, nutrition, institution management, or a closely related field and completion of a pre-planned professional experience in dietetics at a facility approved by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)
- Registered Dietitian/Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR)
- Licensed Dietitian in the state of Oregon
- Additional certifications may be required based on the specific department the position resides in, as indicated by the position description.
Job Related Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (Competencies):
- Must be proficient in the nutrition care process.
- Must be able to determine the nutrient requirements of the pediatric inpatient and outpatient to ensure adequate nutrient intake and/or replacement of nutrients loss secondary to medical condition;
- determine the nutrient make-up of patients meal patterns and medications (dosage and timing) that affect nutrient and/or drug bioavailability;
- determine malnutrition and recommend and administer medical nutrition therapy to improve digestion, absorption and metabolism of nutrients;
- make recommendations concerning adjustment of some medications that relate to nutrition, in order to promote increased well-being of the patient, maintenance of acceptable blood chemistries, increased bioavailability of drugs, decreased hospitalization days, and cost-effectiveness of regimens.
- Must complete annual age specific competency training and post test.
Preferred Qualifications:
- MS in Nutrition or related field
- 2 years clinical experience with 1 year working in pediatrics strongly preferred
- Specialist in Pediatric Nutrition or other qualifying certification to meet the criteria of Clinical Dietitian Specialist. If employee meets criteria the position will be reclassified as a Clinical Dietitian Specialist.
- WA Certificate (CD) required within six months of hire.
Additional Details:
Day Shift; days may vary; includes evening clinics. Weekend and holiday rotations. Shares office with 4-10 other dietitians, position may include hybrid-telework.
Why apply to OHSU?: We are Oregon's only public academic health center. In addition to caring for patients, we lead groundbreaking research. We also train the next generation of health care professionals. As Portland's largest employer, we give you opportunities to learn and advance in a system of hospitals and clinics across Oregon and Southwest Washington. All are welcome. OHSU welcomes people of all ages, ethnicities, genders, national origins, religions and sexual orientations. We are striving to build an anti-racist, multicultural institution and encourage people with diverse backgrounds to apply. To request reasonable accommodation, contact askhr@ohsu.edu
See all 720+ OPT Registered Dietitian Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Registered Dietitian
Lead with your RD credential and state license
Employers sponsoring OPT for dietitians need confirmation you hold active RD credentials and a valid state license. List both prominently on your resume and cover letter. Licensing requirements vary by state, so verify you're licensed where the role is located.
Target healthcare systems over private practice
Large hospital networks and integrated health systems have dedicated HR and legal teams familiar with visa sponsorship. Smaller private practices rarely have the infrastructure. Focus your applications on academic medical centers, regional health systems, and corporate wellness programs.
Raise sponsorship early, not after an offer
Mention your OPT status and sponsorship needs in your initial outreach or cover letter. It saves time for both parties. Framing it as a straightforward H-1B visa or EB-3 path helps employers see it as manageable rather than a burden.
Know your OPT end date and plan your timeline
H-1B cap-subject petitions are filed in April for October starts. If your OPT expires before then, you need a STEM extension or a cap-exempt employer. Map your expiration date against the H-1B calendar before you start negotiating offers.
Highlight specializations that increase your sponsorship value
Employers are more motivated to sponsor candidates with hard-to-fill specializations. Clinical nutrition, oncology dietetics, pediatric nutrition, and eating disorder treatment are consistently understaffed. Emphasize any specialized certifications alongside your core RD credential.
Research employers with prior LCA filings for dietitians
Employers who have previously filed Labor Condition Applications for dietitian roles are the strongest candidates for sponsorship. This signals existing familiarity with the process. Prioritizing these employers significantly shortens the path from offer to approved work authorization.
Registered Dietitian OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Registered Dietitian on OPT without a STEM extension?
Yes. Dietetics is not a STEM-designated field, so standard OPT gives you 12 months of work authorization. You can work as an RD during that period without needing a STEM extension. However, you'll need your employer to sponsor an H-1B or another long-term visa before your OPT expires if you want to stay in the U.S.
Does the RD credential qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Registered Dietitian roles generally qualify as specialty occupations because the position typically requires at least a bachelor's degree in dietetics, nutrition, or a closely related field. USCIS has approved H-1B petitions for RDs at hospitals and healthcare systems. Your employer's attorney will document the degree requirement as part of the H-1B petition to establish specialty occupation status.
What types of employers are most likely to sponsor OPT students for Registered Dietitian roles?
Academic medical centers, regional hospital networks, long-term care facilities, and corporate wellness programs are the most active sponsors for RD roles. These organizations have established legal and HR processes for visa sponsorship. Migrate Mate lists Registered Dietitian jobs specifically from employers open to sponsoring F-1 OPT candidates, so you can filter to roles where sponsorship is a realistic outcome.
Do I need a state license to work as an RD on OPT?
In most states, yes. The majority of states require dietitians to hold an active state license or certification in addition to the national RD credential from the Commission on Dietetic Registration. Licensing requirements and timelines vary by state, and some states require passing an additional state exam. Confirm licensure requirements for the state where your employer is located before accepting an offer.
How does the 60-day grace period affect my job search as a dietitian?
If your RD position ends before your OPT expiration date, you have a 60-day grace period to find new employment, change status, or depart the U.S. You cannot work during this period, but you can interview and negotiate offers. Securing a new employer quickly matters because your authorized period of stay doesn't pause. Start your search immediately if your employment ends unexpectedly.