Duties

The Registered Dietitian/Certified Specialist in Renal Nutrition has mastered the highest degree of skill and knowledge related to renal nutrition through a combination of education, experience, and critical thinking. Primary responsibilities include serving as an advanced level renal nutrition practitioner overseeing the medical nutrition therapy of the most complex and/or high-risk patients. The Registered Dietitians/Certified Specialist in Renal Nutrition (RD/CSR) works closely with the interdisciplinary healthcare team to ensure that patients' nutritional needs are being met. The RD/CSR provides expert level consultant services to the medical staff throughout the Washington, DC VA Medical Center, 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 data collection, analysis and reporting of clinical nutrition research.

The RD/CSR is responsible for the medical nutrition therapy of highly complex inpatient and outpatient Veterans at the Washington, DC VA Medical Center requiring specialized nutrition interventions for acute or chronic kidney disease, under treatment by kidney transplantation, hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, or other modalities. The work includes planning and conducting renal nutrition education for multiple types of medical professionals, interns and students of the Washington, DC VA Medical Center. Administrative and quality management improvement duties are required. This individual is involved in planning, executing and/or evaluating clinical nutrition research. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday negotiable; rotating weekends.
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Advanced Level Practice Registered Dietitian (RD)/Certified Specialist in Renal Nutrition/PD000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
EDRP Authorized: Contact Rudy Pearson, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance at Rudy.Pearson@va.gov

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• 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.
• Education and Supervised Practice (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). (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. (2) Individuals who have earned college and/or university degrees outside the United States and its territories also must have their transcripts evaluated by a foreign transcript evaluation service to determine if their degree is equivalent to a degree granted by a regionally accredited college or university in the United States. Validation of a foreign degree does not eliminate the need for verification of completion of didactic program, dietetic internship, or coordinated program requirements. The completion of ACEND didactic program requirements and at least a bachelor's degree from a U.S. regionally accredited college/university or foreign equivalent are necessary for eligibility to enter an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program
• Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA as a dietitian on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and registration requirements or board certification, if applicable. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the grandfathering provision may apply.
• Physical Requirements.
• English Language Proficiency. Dietitians must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d)

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-12 Advanced Level Practice
Experience. Completion of 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.
Credentials. Board Certified Specialist in Renal Nutrition (CSR)
In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment-specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*):
*Ability to develop, maintain, and supervise a system of internal reviews and direct quality control and performance improvement studies to assure compliance with various accrediting, regulatory, and agency authorities.
*Knowledge of the principles of program management and oversight required to develop program goals and objectives, administer and monitor program, evaluate program outcomes/accomplishments, set and redefine priorities, and implement effective solutions in processes/systems as needed.
Ability to act as a consultant for staff.
Ability to mentor and educate peers and other multidisciplinary team members in complex issues, procedures and practices.
Ability to make presentations on topics regarding food, nutrition and health issues.
Ability to make high level decisions with a focus on delivering patient care and achieving program outcomes.
Ability to contribute to evidence analysis process to affect practice and identify and create new practice opportunities.
GS-11 Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
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.
Ability to comply with various accrediting, regulatory, and agency authorities.
Ability to develop and maintain a system of internal reviews and direct quality control and performance improvement studies.
Knowledge of computer software programs relative to food service systems.
In addition to the KSAs identified above, candidates for clinical nutrition positions must demonstrate the following KSAs:
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).
Knowledge of best practices in areas of clinical nutrition and the ability to apply nutrition interventions to patients with multiple co-morbidities.
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 SEPTEMBER 5, 2014 PART II APPENDIX G20 II-G20-2

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12.

Physical Requirements: light lifting under 15 pounds, light carrying under 15 pounds, use of fingers, walking (4 hours), standing (4 hours), hearing (aid permitted), other-good distant vision in one eye and ability to read printed material size of typewritten material, glasses permitted.

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. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. 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.

Due to COVID-19, VA is currently in an expanded telework posture. If selected, you may be expected to temporarily telework, even if your home is located outside the local commuting area. Once employees are permitted to return to the office, you will be expected to report to the duty station listed on this announcement. Management officials will provide information about returning to the official, pre-pandemic worksite, when applicable. At that time, you may be eligible to request to continue to telework depending upon the terms of your organization's telework policy and the duties of the position.

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 .