Dietitian (Clinical) Inpatient/Outpatient

The clinical dietitian supports the facility's mission and coordinates nutritional care with other health care providers, the veteran, the veteran's caregiver and the community. The increasing complexity and specialization in nutrition requires that the clinical dietitian have expertise in a wide range of disease entities and treatment modalities. The clinical dietitian performs progressively complex tasks while developing their skills in diagnosing nutrition problems .

Qualifications:

Applicants pending the completion of educational, or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• English Language Proficiency. Dietitians must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d)
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• Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) or Registered Dietitian (RD) - Must be registered with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) the credentialing branch of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics formerly known as the American Dietetic Association (ADA). (SUBMIT DOCUMENTATION)
• Exception for GS-07 and GS-09 Only: Dietitians who do not possess the RDN/RD credential. Non-credentialed Dietitians who otherwise meet the basic qualification requirements and have fulfilled the requirements below, but do not possess the RDN credential, may be given a full-time temporary appointment not to exceed one year under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2). May only be appointed at the GS-07 or GS-09 level and may not be promoted/converted until they obtain their RDN credential.
• Non-credentialed Dietitians must have fulfilled each of the following:
• Earned a bachelor's or higher degree from a U.S. regionally accredited college or university or foreign equivalent. Foreign Education: To be creditable, college and/or university degrees earned outside the U.S and its territories must be evaluated by ACEND® and meet ACEND®'s International Dietitian Education standards which are designed to provide graduates with the knowledge and competencies to sit for the CDR credentialing exam. ~AND~
• Completed an ACEND® accredited experiential or supervised practice program and provide a verification statement from the program director that conveys eligibility to take the CDR registration exam as a prospective RDN. A list of ACEND® accredited programs are located on the ACEND® website or at ACEND Accredited Programs Directory.

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

Grade Determinations: GS-07 Dietitian (Clinical) (Entry Level Developmental) - No additional requirements beyond the basic requirements.

GS-09 Dietitian (Clinical) (Developmental) - Experience/Education Requirement: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-09 you must have at least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-7) OR a master's degree from a regionally accredited university or college in the field of dietetics or closely related field. Your experience or education must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of various accrediting and regulatory requirements.
• Knowledge of virtual technology to provide nutrition care.
• Ability to deliver patient care using the NCP (e.g., assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring and evaluation).
• Ability to apply evidence-based nutrition practices to improve patient outcomes.
• Ability to develop patient-centered goals.
• Ability to collect data for performance improvement studies.
• Ability to collaborate with stakeholders.

GS-11 Dietitian (Clinical) (Full Performance Level) - Experience Requirement: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-11 up must possess at least 1 year of experience as an RDN/RD equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-09) which demonstrates the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Skill in delivering patient care using the Nutrition Care Process (NCP) (e.g., assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring, and evaluation).
• Skill in interpreting research to apply evidence-based nutrition practices to improve patient outcomes.
• Skill in developing patient-centered goals.
• Skill in analyzing data for performance improvement studies.
• Skill in collaborating with stakeholders.
• Ability to comply with various accrediting, regulatory and agency authorities

References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G20

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-7 to GS-11.

Physical Requirements: The regular and recurring work of the position involves sitting at a desk, conferences, meetings, etc., and staff interaction in patient care areas. Work involves frequent periods of walking, standing and the ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, visual acuity, hearing and clear speech.

Preferred experience:

• Minimum of two years experience in acute/inpatient nutritional care and outpatient counseling for many diseases including COPD, Diabetes and CHF. Must be flexible and willing to assist in other units as needed.

• Minimum of one year experience in clinical outpatient nutrition management.

Responsibilities:

Duties Include:

• Conducts a comprehensive nutrition assessment utilizing the Nutrition Care Process (NCP) for assigned patients.
• Develops and implements an individualized plan for Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) in accordance with the patient's medical program goals and objectives.
• Performs a Nutrition Focused Physical Exam (NFPE) during assessments to determine risk and/or degree of malnutrition.
• Calculates nutrient requirements (calories, protein, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins, electrolytes and fluids) and necessary diet restrictions or food and drug interactions.
• Evaluates patterns and relationships among data obtained and possible root causes for nutrition problems.
• Tailors diet prescription to each individual patient according to physical and metabolic needs. With an understanding of the patient's health condition, designs the nutritional treatment plan with consideration for psychosocial, behavioral, physical activity, ethnic and cultural factors to obtain desirable outcomes and promote long term adherence to a medical nutrition care plan.
• Prioritizes the importance of nutrition problems for optimal health, recovery from illness, management of chronic disease or disease prevention.
• Utilizes evidenced-based Nutrition Practice Guidelines and Whole Health Principles to develop shared goals with the patient and formulates a plan of care that is focused on the etiology of the nutrition problem.
• Actively supports veteran centric food service operations, with a food forward approach through knowledge of computer software programs related to food service systems; and through interfacing with the food service section to ensure patient satisfaction with meals, assisting in implementation of new initiatives, and acting as a liaison between clinical units/wards and the food service section.
• Works cooperatively with foodservice staff to assure conformance to diet prescriptions.
• Identifies patients in need of nutritional support and recommends the appropriate mode of support, including suitable route, formula, and rate of administration. Provides initial and on-going nutritional assessment of patients receiving enteral and/or parenteral nutrition.
• Order labs, diets, and consults. Evaluates and monitors the effectiveness and outcome of MNT interventions. Evaluates the patient's response to care based on identified, measurable outcomes and reviews the plan, as appropriate.
• Document's nutrition care plan in the patient's medical record, including nutrition assessment data, MNT initiated and recommendations, results of nutrition counseling, patient consents and discharge planning. Measures outcomes through selecting indicators relevant to the nutrition diagnosis. Evaluates the effectiveness and measures progress toward outcomes of nutrition interventions by comparing current findings with previous goals and/or reference standards. Documentation supports an interdisciplinary approach and continuity of care.

Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday 7:30am-4:00pm
Telework: Available under Service Description
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: Dietitian (Clinical)00000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Salary : $49,758 - $95,727