About NorthStar Behavioral Health
NorthStar Behavioral Health is a comprehensive behavioral health organization serving the Palm Beach County community. Our integrated family of services includes Palm Beach Behavioral Health & Wellness, the Children’s Neurodevelopmental Alliance, NorthStar Day Program, and NS Psychiatry. We are committed to providing high-quality, collaborative, and client-centered care to children, individuals, and families navigating mental health and developmental wellness challenges.
Our NorthStar Day Program serves children ages 5–12 who are neurodivergent and may also present with speech and language barriers, restrictive food behaviors, sensory sensitivities, and other feeding-related challenges. We take a team-based, neurodiversity-affirming approach to care, and our culture centers on collaboration, respect, and genuine investment in the well-being of the children and families we serve.
Position Overview
The Nutritionist will be a key member of our multidisciplinary team within the NorthStar Day Program, providing specialized nutrition assessment, planning, and intervention services for neurodivergent children ages 5–12. This role focuses on developing individualized nutrition and treatment plans, planning and implementing sensory exposure snack activities, leading individual and group sessions, and communicating closely with families regarding each child’s nutritional progress and goals. The ideal candidate is collaborative, passionate about pediatric neurodivergent populations, and thrives in a warm, team-oriented culture.
Primary Responsibilities
- Develop, implement, and monitor individualized nutrition and treatment plans for each child in the Day Program
- Plan and implement sensory exposure snack activities designed to expand food acceptance and address restrictive food behaviors
- Conduct individual nutrition sessions tailored to each child’s developmental level, sensory profile, and dietary needs
- Facilitate group nutrition sessions incorporating evidence-based strategies for neurodivergent children
- Communicate regularly with families and caregivers regarding nutritional goals, progress, and strategies to support at home
- Collaborate with the multidisciplinary team — including speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, behavior analysts, and mental health clinicians — to integrate nutrition goals into each child’s overall treatment plan
- Complete thorough and timely documentation of all assessments, sessions, treatment plans, and progress notes via the EMR system
- Stay current with evidence-based practices related to pediatric nutrition, feeding challenges, and neurodiversity-affirming care
- Maintain compliance with all applicable Florida regulatory requirements, clinical standards, and organizational policies
Required Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Nutrition, Dietetics, Food Science, or a closely related field (required for candidates credentialed after January 1, 2024); bachelor’s degree accepted for candidates who obtained their RD/RDN credential prior to the 2024 master’s requirement
- Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credential through the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR)
- Current Florida Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist (LD/N) credential issued by the Florida Department of
Health, Dietetics and Nutrition Practice Council — or eligibility for licensure, including completion of the required Florida background screening and 2-hour medical errors prevention course
- Minimum 1–2 years of professional experience working with pediatric populations
- Demonstrated experience working with neurodivergent children, including those with restrictive food behaviors, sensory-based feeding challenges, and/or avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID)
- Experience developing and implementing individualized nutrition treatment plans
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with families, caregivers, and multidisciplinary team members
- Proficiency with electronic medical records (EMR) systems for clinical documentation
- Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team environment
Preferred Qualifications
- Specialized training or certification in pediatric nutrition, feeding disorders, or neurodiversity-affirming nutrition practices (e.g., coursework through RDs for Neurodiversity, SOS Approach to Feeding, or equivalent)
- Experience working alongside speech-language pathologists (SLPs), occupational therapists (OTs), and/or board-certified behavior analysts (BCBAs)
- Knowledge of sensory processing and its relationship to feeding and nutrition in neurodivergent children
- Experience in behavioral health, day program, school-based, or developmental disability settings
- Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) or Diplomate of the American Clinical Board of Nutrition (DACBN) credential
- Bilingual proficiency (Spanish/English preferred)
What We Offer
- A supportive, team-oriented culture that values collaboration and professional growth
- Competitive hourly compensation ($27.00–$40.00/hour based on experience)
- Part-time schedule: 10 hours a week total (Detailed schedules can be discussed)
- Professional development and continuing education support
- The opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of neurodivergent children and their families
- A multidisciplinary team environment where your expertise is respected and integral to client care
Pay: $27.00 - $40.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
