Duties

The GRECC RD utilizes advanced practice skills, knowledge, and judgment in developing and measuring effectiveness of nutrition services/interventions and utilizing outcome evaluations to improve treatment services.

Duties include but are not limited to :

• Responsible to be the subject matter expert in aging and gerontological nutrition overseeing the medical nutrition therapy of the most complex multi-morbidity and/or high-risk geriatric patients.
• Works closely with the GRECC, GEROFIT, and other interdisciplinary teams to ensure that Veteran and research participant nutrition needs are being met and serves as an advisor in geriatric nutrition and/or consultant throughout the VAMHCS.
• Provides consultant services to the medical staff, conducts comprehensive nutrition assessment and diagnoses, coordinates education programs, maintains productivity standards, manages resources, plans and develops nutrition-related policies, procedures, goals, identifies medical nutrition therapy problems, solutions and participates in the design of data collection, analysis and reporting of clinical nutrition research.
• Involves the professional practice of dietetics in accordance with the guidance set forth in GRECC policies and procedures.
• Responsible for the provision of nutrition therapy to the most complex and/or high-risk Geriatric patients including those with advanced dementia. The work includes planning and conducting training in nutrition care for dietetic interns, medical professionals and medicalstudents and other trainees. The GRECC RD is responsible for periodically updating the GRECC nutrition SOPs and pertinent medical nutrition therapy care plans.
• Plays an important role in planning, executing and/or evaluating nutrition research and also performs administrative and quality improvement duties. Additionally, the GRECC RD is responsible for managing the research kitchen and providing nutritional care to the research participants.
• Leads nutrition classes, create menus, order and distribute food to research participants, analyze food records, and oversee nutrition interventions (e.g. weight loss) for GRECC research studies

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30 am - 4:00 pm or 8:00 am - 4:30pm or 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 00000
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

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: You must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d).
• Education: Applicants must have earned a bachelor's degree from a U.S. regionally accredited college or university or foreign equivalent and fulfilled each of the following criteria:(a) Completed a didactic program in dietetics accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), formerly known as the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetic Education (CADE) AND (b) Completed an ACEND accredited or approved supervised practice program. Supervised practice programs are post baccalaureate degree programs that provide supervised practice experiences which meet the eligibility requirements and accreditation standards of ACEND, formally known as CADE. Completion of a coordinated program in dietetics fulfills the requirements of a supervised practice program. Time spent in a dietetic internship or supervised practice program does not qualify as creditable experience.
• Registration: You 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)

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-11 Dietitian: Experience or Education: At least 1 year of experience as a registered dietitian equivalent to the next lower grade level, or education equivalent to 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education, OR a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree from an accredited university or college in the field of dietetics or closely related field.

In addition to the experience above, your resume must demonstrate the following KSAs:

a. Knowledge of best practices in the dietetics profession and in scientific literature, including knowledge of research methods, study design, data collection, interpretation of findings, and translation of results into nutrition practice.
b. Ability to comply with various accrediting, regulatory, and agency authorities.
c. Ability to develop and maintain a system of internal reviews and direct quality control and performance improvement studies.
d. Knowledge of computer software programs relative to food service systems.
2. In addition to the KSAs identified in subparagraph 1 above, candidates for clinical nutrition positions must demonstrate the following KSAs:
a. Knowledge of the principles and practices of nutrition care and the treatment of complex cases in clinical settings in order to develop, implement and coordinate best practices in the dietetics profession (e.g. assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring and evaluation).
b. Knowledge of best practices in areas of clinical nutrition and the ability to apply nutrition interventions to patients with multiple co-morbidities.
c. Ability to act as a consultant for health care providers including registered dietetic technicians, dietetic interns, nurses, physicians, medical students, and allied health professionals.

References: VA Handbook 5005/80 Part II Appendix G20.Dietitian Qualification Standard GS-630

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-9.

Physical Requirements: Must be able to moderate lift (15-44 lbs), moderate carry, pushing for .5 hour, reaching above the shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, walking, kneeling, repeated bending for .5 hours and standing for .5 hours, depth perception, hearing aid permitted, ability to receive, sort, and stock and distribute food.
Environmental Factors: Ability to perform the work outside and inside, fumes, smoke, or gases, grease and oils, working around machinery with moving parts, working with hands in water, working closely with others, protracted or irregular hours of work and be able to work in a food preparation environment.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/ . If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html .

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

To ensure compliance with an applicable preliminary nationwide injunction, which may be supplemented, modified, or vacated, depending on the course of ongoing litigation, the Federal Government will take no action to implement or enforce the COVID-19 vaccination requirement pursuant to Executive Order 14043 on Requiring Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination for Federal Employees. Therefore, to the extent a VA job announcement includes language requiring applicants to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 pursuant to Executive Order 14043, that requirement does not currently apply to this Job Announcement. VA may request information regarding your vaccination status, if selected, for the purposes of implementing other workplace safety protocols, such as masking, physical distancing, testing, travel, and quarantine.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application .