Clinical Dietician

Mercy Ships is an international charity that brings hope and healing to the world’s forgotten poor through state-of-the-art hospital ships. Since 1978, our volunteer crew—made up of medical professionals and skilled workers from over 60 nations—has delivered free surgeries and medical care to over 2.8 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa, transforming lives one patient and one port at a time. Join our global team of over 3,000 volunteers and help us change lives daily.

About this role

Assists the Dietician Team Leader to deliver high quality nutrition care to high-risk pre- & post-operative adult and pediatric surgical patients (particularly those at risk of malnutrition or currently malnourished) throughout the continuum of care. This includes conducting comprehensive assessments, implementing interventions (including enteral feeding), and evaluations, for patients on the ward, in an outpatient setting and the Low Care Unit/ HOPE Center, either on-board or along-side the vessel. Provide nutrition education, in-service, classes or ward education to nurses, day crew and medical staff. When applicable, provide education and training for partner country participants, trainees, and students in Mercy Ships training programs while providing clinical care.

What you will contribute

• Identify, assess, monitor, and provide safe nutrition interventions for adult and pediatric patients with surgically correctable disorders

• Provide nutritional support for ward patients post-surgery, including enteral feeding for pediatric and adult patients

• Assist in monitoring growth and making recommendations to ensure that infants with feeding difficulties—primarily those related to cleft lip and palate, as well as other surgically correctable conditions—meet the nutritional growth guidelines required to qualify for surgery.

• Liaise with the screening team to identify patients at risk of nutritional deficiencies and provide support for assessment days in identifying at risk patients

• Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team to ensure patient care is integrated and effective

• Provide counselling and training, using evidence-based medical nutrition therapy

• Assist with the hospital menu development and collaborate with the food service department and/or caterers to provide optimal nutrition for patients

• Provide nutrition education, in-service, classes or ward education to nurses, day crew and medical staff

For This Role, You Will Need

• Successful completion of Mercy Ships On Boarding program will be required for commitments longer than 12 months

• Credentialed as a Registered Dietician, or equivalent in home country

• Two years of experience in a clinical inpatient care setting, required

• Experience with food service management, preferred

• Experience working in an intensive care setting, preferred

• Experience in working with pediatric or cleft lip/palate patients, preferred

The experience of a lifetime is calling.

More than 1,200 volunteers from over 60 nations serve with Mercy Ships each year.

At Mercy Ships, we are proud to be recognized around the world for the life-changing surgeries and training we deliver. We could not achieve this without our dedicated community of talented volunteers.

Imagine finishing your shift and stepping onto deck as the sun sets—knowing that today you’ve helped transform the lives of those who need it most. Apply now to start a journey that will reshape the lives of those you serve — and your own.