Dietitian (Clinical)

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

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
• 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, as such this occupation is considered professional and scientific with a positive education requirement and the procedures in Part I, Chapter 4 of this Handbook will be followed when applying Veteran's preference
• (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)
• 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
• 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: All individuals assigned to this occupation must meet all the basic qualification requirements in paragraph 3 a-f and all the requirements defined in the specific assignment
• Dietitian (Clinical), GS-07 (1) Experience or Education
• None beyond the basic requirements
• Dietitian (Clinical), GS-09: (1) Experience
• At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level
• OR (2) Education
• Master's degree from a regionally accredited university or college
• (3) 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: (1) Experience
• At least one year of experience as an RDN equivalent to the next lower grade
• (2) 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: 1 year of experience providing nutritional care in an acute care or outpatient setting
• References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/154 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 work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment
• A pre-placement physical examination is not required.

Duties

"Functions or Scope of Assigned Duties: - Conducts comprehensive nutrition assessments using the Nutritional Care Process (NCP), including nutrition focused physical examinations, to establish a nutrition diagnosis and determine risk and/or degree of malnutrition.
- Develops and implements Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) to address the nutrition diagnosis, evaluates and monitors the effectiveness and outcomes of MNT interventions.
Modifies the plan as needed to achieve positive patient outcomes.
- Calculates nutrient requirements and necessary diet restrictions or food and drug interactions tailoring the diet prescription to each individual patient.
- Documents MNT in the medical record using the Assessment, Diagnosis, Intervention, Monitoring, Evaluation (ADIME) format.
- Functions independently and accurately when record keeping.
- Identifies patients in need of nutritional support and recommends the appropriate mode of support and communicates appropriately with the health care team.
- Actively participates in formal and informal interdisciplinary team meetings.
- Assesses educational needs and provides nutrition education/counseling for individuals and groups that is tailored to the Veteran(s).
- Utilizes virtual care technology to improve access to care.
- Maintains productivity standards.
- Maintains accurate record keeping of daily clinical activities and completes patient encounters using approved systems.
- Ensures continuous improvement of safe and quality care of Veterans.
- Leads activities in the implementation of new initiatives.
Uses data in the development of measures, data evaluation, and initiation of corrective actions.
- Complies with The Joint Commission requirements and other accrediting agency standards to ensure safe and quality patient care.
- Collaborates with the Food Operations Section and department leadership to enhance the Veterans' dining experience, support patient satisfaction, and serve as a liaison between clinical units and the Food Operations Section.
- May perform other related duties as assigned which are appropriate for this grade and assignment.
Work Schedule: Monday -Thursday 0700-1730 Telework: Available, pending Supervisor approval Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 99529 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Recruitment and Relocation authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact V20CompensationTeam@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance.
Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"