Department: Clinical Services
Employment Status: Per Diem
Classification: Non-Exempt
Reports To: Clinical Director / Designee
Organization: Milestone Treatment Center
Position Summary
Milestone Treatment Center is seeking a knowledgeable and engaging Per Diem Nutritionist / Group Facilitator to provide nutrition-focused education and psychoeducational programming to individuals receiving treatment for substance use disorders (SUD).
The Nutritionist / Group Facilitator will facilitate structured groups designed to help clients better understand the relationship between nutrition, physical wellness, substance use, and recovery. This position works collaboratively with the clinical team while remaining within the individual's professional scope of practice.
This is primarily a group facilitation and educational role and does not independently provide substance use disorder counseling, psychotherapy, diagnosis, or treatment planning unless the individual possesses the separate credentials and authorization required to perform those services.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Facilitate nutrition, wellness, and health-focused psychoeducational groups for clients participating in substance use disorder treatment.
- Educate clients on the relationship between nutrition, substance use, recovery, and overall physical and emotional wellness.
- Provide practical education regarding balanced nutrition, hydration, meal planning, healthy eating habits, and establishing sustainable routines during recovery.
- Discuss common nutritional concerns associated with substance use and early recovery within the individual's professional scope.
- Develop engaging, recovery-oriented group topics, activities, handouts, and educational materials.
- Encourage appropriate client participation and maintain a supportive, respectful, and recovery-focused group environment.
- Modify educational approaches when appropriate to accommodate different learning styles, literacy levels, and client needs.
- Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with clients at all times.
- Complete required documentation related to groups facilitated in accordance with Milestone Treatment Center policies and applicable program requirements.
- Accurately document attendance, group topics, educational objectives, and other required information within established timeframes.
- Communicate relevant observations or client concerns to appropriate clinical staff rather than independently addressing matters outside the scope of the position.
- Collaborate with counselors, therapists, medical providers, nursing staff, and other members of the multidisciplinary treatment team as appropriate.
- Participate in meetings, trainings, supervision, or other activities as required.
- Maintain client confidentiality and comply with HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, and all applicable confidentiality requirements.
- Follow Milestone Treatment Center policies, procedures, professional standards, and applicable regulatory requirements.
- Immediately report safety concerns, suspected abuse or neglect, medical concerns, boundary concerns, or other significant client issues to the appropriate staff member.
- Perform other related duties consistent with the position and professional scope of practice.
Group Topics May Include
Nutrition-focused psychoeducational groups may address topics such as:
- Nutrition and the recovery process
- Effects of alcohol and substance use on nutrition
- Rebuilding healthy eating habits in recovery
- Hydration and wellness
- Understanding proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals
- Meal planning and preparation
- Grocery shopping and making healthier food choices
- Reading and understanding nutrition labels
- Nutrition, energy, and sleep
- Developing healthy routines
- Mindful eating
- The relationship between food, mood, and overall wellness
- Healthy approaches to weight and body image
- Nutrition considerations during early recovery
- Creating sustainable wellness goals
Group content must remain appropriate to the facilitator's education, credentials, professional scope, and the needs of the treatment population.
Qualifications
Required:
- Demonstrated knowledge of nutrition, health, and wellness principles.
- Ability to effectively present educational information in a group setting.
- Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
- Ability to engage individuals from diverse backgrounds and maintain appropriate professional boundaries.
- Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary treatment team.
- Ability to complete documentation accurately and within required timeframes.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle protected health information.
Preferred:
- Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credential or other applicable nutrition credential.
- Experience providing nutrition education in behavioral health, substance use disorder treatment, mental health, healthcare, or another human-services environment.
- Previous experience facilitating educational or psychoeducational groups.
- Knowledge of the nutritional effects of substance use and common nutritional considerations during recovery.
- Experience working with adults receiving treatment for substance use disorders.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
The successful candidate should demonstrate:
- Knowledge of evidence-informed nutrition and wellness principles.
- Understanding of professional scope and the distinction between nutrition education and behavioral health counseling.
- Ability to facilitate groups in an engaging and professional manner.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Sound professional judgment and appropriate boundaries.
- Ability to respond professionally to challenging group dynamics.
- Ability to recognize when a client concern requires referral to clinical or medical staff.
- Ability to maintain accurate and timely documentation.
- Commitment to treating clients and coworkers with dignity, compassion, and respect.
Job Types: Part-time, Contract
Pay: $90.00 - $150.00 per hour
Shift availability:
- Day Shift (Preferred)
- Night Shift (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
