Dietitian (Clinical)

Current, permanent VA employees or Federal employees from another agency should apply under CBST-11851282-23-AK.

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.

Qualifications:

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a).
• Registration.(1) All applicants must hold the RDN credential from the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) the credentialing agency of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Note: Applicants who hold the RDN credential have met the education requirement (e.g. bachelor's degree or higher) of CDR, (2) Exception for Dietitians who do not possess the RDN credential.
  • (a) Non-credentialed Dietitians who meet the basic qualification requirements and have fulfilled the requirements below, but do not possess the RDN credential, may be given a temporary full-time appointment not to exceed one year under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2).
    • i Non-credentialed Dietitians must have fulfilled each of the following:
      • A Earned a bachelor's or higher degree from a U.S. regionally accredited college, university or foreign equivalent (refer to ii below).
      • B 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 is located on the ACEND® website or at ACEND Accredited Programs Directory.
    • ii 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.
  • (b) Non-credentialed Dietitians may only be appointed at the GS-07 or GS-09 grade level and may not be promoted/converted until they obtain their RDN credential.
  • (c) Non-credentialed Dietitians must provide care under the supervision of a RDN at or above the full performance level.
  • (d) Temporary appointments of non-credentialed Dietitian will not be extended beyond one year or converted to a new temporary appointment.

Grade Determinations:
Dietitian (Clinical), GS-07
Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements.

Dietitian (Clinical), GS-09
Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.
OR
Education. Master's degree from a regionally accredited university or college.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
(a) Knowledge of various accrediting and regulatory requirements.
(b) Knowledge of virtual technology to provide nutrition care.
(c) Ability to deliver patient care using the NCP (e.g., assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring and evaluation).
(d) Ability to apply evidence-based nutrition practices to improve patient outcomes.
(e) Ability to develop patient-centered goals.
(f) Ability to collect data for performance improvement studies.
(g) Ability to collaborate with stakeholders.

Dietitian (Clinical), GS-11
Experience. At least one year of experience as an RDN equivalent to the next lower grade.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
(a) Skill in delivering patient care using the NCP (e.g., assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring and evaluation).
(b) Skill in interpreting research to apply evidence-based nutrition practices to improve patient outcomes.
(c) Skill in developing patient-centered goals.
(d) Skill in analyzing data for performance improvement studies.
(e) Skill in collaborating with stakeholders.
(f) Ability to comply with various accrediting, regulatory and agency authorities.

Preferred Experience: Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) or Registered Dietitian (RD)

References: VA Handbook 5005/154, Part II Appendix G20, Dietitian Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office.

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: Light carrying (under 15 pounds), near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, ability to distinguish basic colors, hearing (aid may be permitted), emotional/mental stability. (See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services).

Responsibilities:

The duties of the Dietitian (Clinical) in Nutrition & Food Services include but not limited to:.
Nutritional Care

• 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.

Nutrition Education and Coordination of Care

• Assesses educational needs and provides nutrition education or counseling for individuals and groups, incorporating a learning approach that considers the cultural, religious, educational and medical situation of the patient. Includes information regarding budgeting, menu planning, food purchasing and preparation, food storage and sanitation.
• Utilizes motivational interviewing techniques to evaluate patient and/or caregiver's readiness to learn and potential for changing behaviors.
• Evaluates achievement of learning objectives by the patient and/or family. Adapts nutrition education materials and counseling techniques to the patient's level of understanding, which frequently involves simplifying complex dietary restrictions.
• Identifies drug-nutrient interactions and drug-drug incompatibilities and counsels/ communicates with the patient regarding the impact on nutrition status and/or nutrient utilization.
• Utilizes virtual care technology such as VA Video Connect (VVC) and Secure Messaging (SM) to improve access to nutrition care.

Business Functions

• Maintains productivity standards. Practices effective time management and prioritizing of tasks to ensure efficient workflow in assigned area.
• Ensures completion of consult management tasks by reviewing assigned nutrition consults. Ensures appropriate scheduling and timely completion of all assigned consults.
• Maintains accurate record keeping of daily clinical activities and completes patient encounters utilizing the Event Capture System (ECS).
• Manages resources (time, materials, and staff) in a cost-effective manner.
• Assists in developing and revising patient education materials, clinical forms, and protocols.

Quality Improvement/Research

• Supports Performance Improvement activities by participating in the development of nutritional care indicators, evaluation criteria, collecting performance improvement data, monitoring outcomes, and initiating corrective actions.
• Contributes to a culture of safety by entering patient safety concerns in the Joint Patient Safety Reporting System (JPRS).
• Participates in planning and developing nutrition-related policies, procedures, and goals.
• Participates in service-level strategic planning.
• Participates in peer review process.
• Stays abreast of current research in Nutrition related areas. Analyzes and interprets nutrition related research related to patient care.

Participation as a Member of the Health Care Team

• Serves as the nutrition expert for medical staff on the nutritional management of patients.
• Communicates and influences treatment interventions determined by the medical team through interdisciplinary meetings, team rounds, medical conferences and nutrition-related in-services.
• Presents seminars, workshops, and lectures to convey current nutrition information on new and changing concepts. This includes the development and participation of in-service educational programs directed to members of interdisciplinary teams, Nutrition and Food Services personnel, Nursing, and various students, interns and residents.
• Coordinates care with colleagues in a variety of medical and home settings to ensure appropriate transitions of care are addressed to meet the patient's needs.
• Adheres to standards of professional performance.
• Determines need for home care to assure continuity of care and makes appropriate referrals to Home Based Primary Care (HBPC), Social Work Service, Satellite clinics or other community agencies.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8am-2:30pm, with weekend coverage rotations. Two days (12 hours) per week.
Telework: Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 564-00169-F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Salary : $46,696 - $89,835