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Innovative Solutions from Sodexo
To combat these challenges, Sodexo began to rethink nutrition care delivery by leveraging the full potential of all nutrition and dietetics professionals. Nutrition and Dietetics Technicians, Registered (NDTRs) and Certified Dietary Managers (CDMs) have the credentials to support RDNs with patient screening, nutrition education, therapeutic diet provision, staff training and monitoring, and performance improvement.
Expanded roles for NDTRs and CDMs
Redefining job descriptions to include more clinical responsibilities, patient education, and quality improvement work.
Team-based care models
As part of Sodexo’s Clinicia™ offer, clinical teams work collaboratively, allowing RDNs to focus on complex cases while NDTRs/CDMs handle foundational nutrition care.
Career development
Creating clear pathways for NDTRs and CDMs to advance toward RDN credentials, supported by academic partnerships and training programs.
Real-world Impact
Sodexo teams at a large health system in Pennsylvania recently had the opportunity to put these strategies into action, showcasing the vital role of NDTRs across both acute and ambulatory care settings.
- Outpatient Weight Management: When the Lifestyle Coordinator position was filled by an RDN, turnover was high due to underutilization of advanced clinical skills. Assigning the role to an NDTR (under the supervision of an RDN) resulted in improved job satisfaction, reduced turnover, and allowed RDNs to engage more deeply with complex patients.
- Rural Hospital Care: An NDTR filled a long-standing clinical vacancy, completing initial nutrition screenings and patient education (under the supervision of an RDN). This resulted in increased patient assessments by the RDNs and more focused time to manage the nutrition care of higher acuity patients effectively.
Bottom Line
By empowering NDTRs and CDMs to practice at the top of their skills, Sodexo’s innovative staffing model strengthens nutrition care and helps overcome industry-wide workforce shortages. This collaborative approach ensures RDNs focus on advanced clinical care, ultimately improving patient outcomes and operational efficiency.
Build a Stronger Nutrition Team Now
RDN shortages are putting nutrition care, patient outcomes, and staff wellbeing at risk. Our team-based model helps you expand NDTR and CDM support, refocus RDNs on high-acuity care, and improve retention and efficiency. Contact us to explore what this approach could look like in your organization.
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References
- Occupational Outlook Handbook. Dietitians and Nutritionists. US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Modified August 28, 2025. Accessed September 16, 2025. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dietitians-and-nutritionists.htm
- Program Enrollment Trends 2000-2024. Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Accessed September 16, 2025. https://www.eatrightpro.org/-/media/files/eatrightpro/acend/about-acend/acend-data/program-enrollment-trends
- Supply and Demand for Dietetic Internships since 1998 (Includes Preselects). Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Accessed September 16, 2025 https://www.eatrightpro.org/-/media/files/eatrightpro/acend/about-acend/acend-data/supply-and-demand-for-internships-chart
- Revised 2024 Scope and Standards of Practice for the Nutrition and Dietetics Technician, Registered. Commission on Dietetic Registration Scope and Standards of Practice Task Force. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Accessed September 15, 2025. https://www.cdrnet.org/scope
- CDM/CFPP. Certified Dietary Manager/Certified Food Protection Professional. Scope of Practice. Certifying Board for Dietary Managers (CBDM). Published June 2025. Accessed September 16, 2025. https://www.cbdmonline.org/docs/default-source/legacy-docs/docs/scope-of-practice-15.pdf