Duties

Summary

The Clinical Nutrition Manager is the supervisory dietitian, clinical nutrition expert, and consultant for the clinical section of Nutrition and Food Services and directs a comprehensive nutritional care program. The position is technically, professionally, and administratively responsible for planning, developing, directing, organizing, staffing, implementing, and evaluating a functionally comprehensive nutrition program and nutrition education program.

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Responsibilities

This position integrates clinical functions with other sections of NFS, other services and units within the medical center, hospital, community-based outpatient clinics, and the local community. The clinical nutrition manager assesses, plans, and evaluates the clinical nutrition therapy program to ensure proper coordination between the delivery of clinical nutrition services and the overall delivery of health care.

The Clinical Nutrition Manager supports VISN and/or facility mission and coordinates clinical and/or administrative nutrition activities with other services in the medical center, primary care clinics and the local community.

This position successfully meets the needs of customers (including, but not limited to, patients, visitors, guests, staff and employees) within HVAMC Nutrition and Food Services and VISN 6 Nutrition and Food Services.

This position is responsible for reporting to the Assistant Chief, NFS and ensuring compliance with internal and external regulatory authorities.

Clinical
Clinical manager must be able to perform all duties of subordinate clinical staff.
Functions as a professional and technical advisor to clinical staff, other allied healthcare professionals, and program directors/ managers throughout the medical center/facility.
Develops and implements nutrition therapy programs.

Program Management I Administration
Directs the provision of nutrition therapy by supervising the activities of clinical dietitians and dietetic technicians, to include nutrition screening, assessment, monitoring, education, and discharge planning. Guides subordinates in program development, problem solving, decision making, performance improvement, and allied professional staff relations.
Develops and implements nutrition care policies and guidelines for compliance with all regulatory agency requirements (i.e., T JC, AND, ADA, L TCI, ASPEN) and specific VHA guidelines.
Plans and reviews modified menus based on regular menu. Coordinates nutrient analysis and assures menus served meet the Recommended Dietary Allowances.

Performance Improvement
Develops and implements nutrition care protocols using principles of evidenced­ based practice to establish and/. or improve nutrition care guidelines. Reviews electronic records to evaluate the care given to patients in terms of appropriateness and compliance with standards.
Identifies and obtains records/data to meet study topic requirements; develops data collection tools and coordinates with indicators for use in the review of clinical and administrative aspects of care. Applies criteria accurately; tabulates and prepares reports of findings from studies; presents information at departmental staff meetings and provides an interpretation of the data as appropriate. Prepares evaluation and coordinates responses to external review groups.

Education
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, NFS personnel, nursing, and various students, interns, residents, trainees, student volunteers, etc.
Serves as a consultant and resource person to medical staff members, supports staff and others in all areas of current clinical and community nutrition, food science and technology, and human nutrition. Responsible for clinical representation and/or assignment in community contract nursing, residential care and adult day care home inspection program. Responsible for orientation of physicians, dentists, and allied health personnel concerning nutrition therapy activities and education. Responsible for developing and directive investigative studies relating to scientific, technical, and administrative aspects of the clinical program.

Professional Development
Maintains dietetic registration and continuing education requirements.
Develops and implements an individualized plan for professional growth and development including participation in professional organizations and activities, workshops, seminars, and staff development programs.
Participates in departmental and/or interdisciplinary meetings, task forces, and projects. Participates in community projects and education as needed/assigned.

1-3 years of supervisory experience preferred

Work Schedule: 8:00AM - 4:30PM - Monday - Friday
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
Yes

Promotion Potential
12

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to a background/security investigation
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

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.

1-3 years of supervisory experience preferred

Basic Requirements
U.S. 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:
(1) The individual 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).
(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/Certification: All applicants applying for the GS 12 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).
English Language Proficiency: Dietitians must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d).

(1) Knowledge of Current Professional Dietitian Practices. To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) associated with current professional dietetics practice. This may be evidenced by one or more of the following:
(a) The equivalent of 1 year of active professional practice. Active professional practice means paid/non-paid employment as a registered dietitian.(b) Academic course work leading to an advanced graduate degree in nutrition or a related health care field.
(2) Quality of Experience. Experience is only creditable if it is post-registration experience as a registered dietitian directly related to the position to be filled, i.e., the clinical dietitian must have relevant clinical nutrition healthcare experience; the food service system dietitian must have relevant food service system management experience. Qualifying experience must also be at a level comparable to dietetic experience at the next lower level.
(3) Part-Time Experience. Part-time experience as a registered dietitian is credited according to its relationship to the full-time workweek. For example, a registered dietitian employed 20 hours per week, or on a half-time basis, would receive 1 full-time work week of credit for each 2 weeks of service.
Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.

GS-12 Clinical Nutrition Manager

Assignment. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. A clinical nutrition manager serves as a supervisory dietitian, clinical nutrition expert, and consultant with primary responsibility for professional management support of clinical nutrition program activities. The clinical nutrition manager integrates clinical functions with other sections of NFS, other services and units within the medical center, hospital and community based clinics, and the local community. The individual assesses, plans, and evaluates the clinical nutrition program to ensure proper coordination between the delivery of clinical nutrition services and the overall delivery of health care. The clinical nutrition manager is responsible for ensuring compliance with internal and external regulatory authorities.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
1. 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.
2. 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 and/or systems as needed.
3. Ability to act as a consultant for staff.
4. Ability to determine the continuing education needs of staff and appropriate resources to meet those needs.
5. Knowledge of human resource management principles and the ability to manage/supervise, i.e, plan, organize, delegate, direct, control, review activities of groups of subordinates
6. 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 and supervise clinical nutrition staff.

Physical Requirements: The position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech and manual dexterity. This position is sedentary with extended periods of sitting and standing (50%) and occasional periods of bending, lifting (
References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G 20 Dietitian Qualification Standards.

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.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

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.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application .

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Other

Drug test required
Yes

Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Trust determination process
Suitability/Fitness

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Va 10-2850c
• Resume
• Transcript

VA Form 10-2850c Application for Associated Health Occupations can be found at: http://www.va.gov/vaforms/search_action.asp?FormNo=2850&tkey=&Action=Search .

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Va 10-2850c
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx .

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.