Rural Health Dietitian

Southwestern Oklahoma State University

About The Position

Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) is seeking a full-time Rural Health Dietitian to support community health initiatives through evidence-based nutrition education, prevention, and direct care services, with an emphasis on improving health outcomes in rural populations. The position is based in Weatherford and is partially funded by grants: 70% through Oklahoma State Department of Health cardiovascular disease and diabetes grants, and 30% through the SWOSU Rural Health Center’s HRSA Maternal Produce Prescription Program. Grant-funded employment is conditional on continuation of project funding. SWOSU policy requires annual leave for employees in grant- or contract-funded positions to be funded within the grant; SWOSU employees transferring into such positions may carry unused accrued sick leave into the grant-funded role. The role supports diabetes prevention and self-management education, cardiovascular health education, nutrition consultations for SWOSU students and school-based telehealth sites, and direct care through accredited programs. Grant-supported activities include collaboration across healthcare providers, public health entities, schools, and community organizations; addressing barriers such as food access, transportation, health literacy, and socioeconomic factors; supporting accredited Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) sites and local diabetes programs; promoting DSMES outreach; increasing screening and enrollment in the National Diabetes Prevention Program; and supporting the integration and development of Community Health Workers. The maternal health component provides individualized nutrition assessment, education, and counseling for pregnant and postpartum participants; supports risk-informed produce prescription benefits; and provides education on pregnancy nutrition, postpartum recovery, breastfeeding, infant nutrition, meal preparation, and food budgeting. The Dietitian collaborates with healthcare providers, county health departments, WIC programs, community organizations, retailers, and regional partners to improve nutrition, food security, and maternal and infant health outcomes in rural western Oklahoma.

Requirements

Registered Dietitian (RD/RDN) credential required.
Strong communication and community engagement skills.

Nice To Haves

Minimum of 3–5 years of relevant professional experience.
Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) credential.
Experience in diabetes education and/or cardiovascular health programs.

Responsibilities

Deliver and support diabetes prevention and self-management education programs.
Offer nutrition consultation and support to SWOSU students and established school-based telehealth sites.
Collaborate with healthcare providers, faculty, campus food services, and community partners to expand awareness and education.
Provide consultations for diabetes and cardiovascular health education.
Provide direct care services through accredited, established programs.
Advance collaborative care across healthcare providers, public health entities, schools, and community organizations to improve coordination and patient outcomes.
Address patient support needs and barriers affecting health, including food access, transportation, health literacy, and socioeconomic factors.
Support expansion of accredited DSMES sites and strengthen local diabetes support programs across Oklahoma.
Assist with and promote DSMES marketing and outreach to increase awareness, referrals, and program utilization.
Increase screening efforts and enrollment in the National Diabetes Prevention Program across Oklahoma.
Expand the role and integration of Community Health Workers in diabetes and cardiovascular disease prevention and care, including workforce development and engagement in addressing social drivers of diabetes.
Provide individualized nutrition assessment, education, and counseling for pregnant and postpartum participants.
Support risk-informed Produce Prescription Benefits that improve access to fresh fruits, vegetables, and other nutritious foods.
Educate participants on healthy pregnancy nutrition, postpartum recovery, breastfeeding support, infant nutrition, healthy meal preparation, and food budgeting.
Collaborate with healthcare providers, county health departments, WIC programs, community organizations, retailers, and other regional partners.
Support efforts to improve fruit and vegetable intake, household food security, and maternal and infant health outcomes.