Rural Health Dietitian

Southwestern Oklahoma State University•Weatherford, TX

13h

About The Position

Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) is seeking a full-time Rural Health Dietitian to support community health initiatives through education, prevention, and direct care services. The position focuses on improving health outcomes across rural populations through evidence-based nutrition services. It is partially grant-funded: 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 positions are conditional on continuation of project funding. SWOSU policy requires annual leave for employees whose positions are grant- or contract-funded to be funded within the grant; SWOSU employees transferring into a grant-funded position may carry unused accrued sick leave into the position. The grant-supported cardiovascular disease and diabetes work advances collaborative care across healthcare providers, public health entities, schools, and community organizations; addresses patient supports such as food access, transportation, health literacy, and socioeconomic barriers; supports expansion of accredited Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) sites and local diabetes support programs; promotes DSMES outreach and marketing; increases screening and enrollment in the National Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP); and expands the integration and workforce development of Community Health Workers (CHWs). The Maternal Produce Prescription Program is an integrated maternal health initiative intended to improve maternal nutrition, reduce food insecurity, and strengthen maternal and infant health outcomes among pregnant and postpartum women in rural western Oklahoma. The dietitian provides individualized nutrition assessment, education, and counseling; supports risk-informed produce prescription benefits; provides education on pregnancy nutrition, postpartum recovery, breastfeeding, infant nutrition, healthy meal preparation, and food budgeting; collaborates with regional partners; and supports efforts to improve produce intake, household food security, and maternal and infant health outcomes. The position is located in Weatherford, Oklahoma, with an anticipated start date of December 1, 2026.

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 initiatives across healthcare providers, public health entities, schools, and community organizations to improve coordination of care and patient outcomes.
Address patient supports affecting health, including food access, transportation, health literacy, and socioeconomic barriers.
Support expansion of accredited DSMES sites and strengthen local diabetes support programs across Oklahoma.
Assist with and promote a DSMES marketing and outreach campaign 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.
Provide education 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.