Duties

The Clinical Dietitian is the medical nutrition expert responsible for independently planning, developing and directing routine and non-routine nutrition care activities for assigned Veterans, including those with complex medical and nutritional needs. S/he will also be responsible for using evidence-based approaches to counsel patients and to provide exceptional nutrition care to optimize health. The incumbent will support the facility's mission and coordinate nutrition care with other health care providers, the Veteran, the Veteran's family and the community. The increasing complexity and specialization in nutrition requires that the clinical dietitian have expertise in a wide range of disease entities, treatment modalities and drug/nutrient interactions. The clinical dietitian at this level is expected to possess knowledge of the principles and practices of nutrition care in the treatment of complex cases in order to independently implement best practices. S/he is expected to translate current research into nutrition practice and to address routine and non-routine situations as they arise. Duties for position include but are not limited to:

• Act as a consultant for health care providers and trainees
• Be involved in the professional practice of dietetics with minimal supervision in accordance with the guidance set forth in Nutrition and Food Service policies and procedures and agency regulations governing the practice of dietetics
• May be scheduled and assigned to any nutrition practice area, and must possess the required knowledge and skills in order to perform the following functions:
  • Nutritional Care - Conducts a comprehensive nutrition assessment for Veterans at nutritional risk to included completing Nutrition Focused Physical Exam (NFPE)
  • Nutrition Education - Assesses educational needs and provides nutrition counseling for individuals and groups, incorporating a learning approach that considers the cultural, religious, educational, and medical situation of the Veterans
  • Quality Improvement/Research - Supports Performance Improvement activities by participating in the development of nutritional care indicators, data collection, monitoring outcomes and initiating corrective actions
  • Participation as a Member of the Health Care Team - Presents seminars, workshops, and lectures to convey current nutrition information on new and changing concepts
  • Professional Development - Develops and implements an individualized plan for professional growth and development including participation in professional organizations and activities, workshops, seminars, and staff development programs.
• Other duties as assigned

Work Schedule: Tuesday , Wednesday & Thursday (Scheduled hours and days will be set to meet the needs of the Veterans and/or service )
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Financial Discloser Report: Not required

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
• 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
• 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 Department of Veterans Affairs Personnel

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.
• Bachelor's degree from a U.S. regionally accredited college or university or foreign equivalent
• 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).
• 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.
• All applicants 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). Exception: Non-CDR registered applicants who otherwise meet the minimum qualification requirements may be appointed, pending CDR registration, as a temporary full-time graduate dietitian under 38 U.S.C. 7405(a)(1)(B). In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7405(c)(2), this appointment may not exceed 2 years. Applicants who fail to obtain CDR registration during this temporary full-time appointment may be terminated. The exception only applies to positions at the GS-7 and GS-9 level .

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.

GS-7 Dietitian (Entry Level):

Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements

In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs : Basic knowledge of principles and practices of dietetics and Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT), Ability to provide nutrition care utilizing the Nutrition Care Process (NCP) to patients, family members and/or caregivers considering psycho-social issues and age-appropriate, evidence-based nutrition practice guidelines, Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with patients, family and/or caregiver, and other professional healthcare providers (e.g., tailoring to audience and use of medical terminology), Ability to plan and organize work consisting of multiple tasks and priorities under direct supervision, Basic knowledge of, and ability to use, current information technology operations, software, hardware, terminology, security requirements, and capabilities, Knowledge of basic food production and service for various populations which incorporates principles of sanitation, safety, and menu planning within a healthcare environment, Knowledge of educational concepts, methods, and the ability to execute existing education and training activities for Nutrition and Food Services (NFS) employees.

GS-9 Dietitian (Developmental Level):

Experience or Education: At least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level or education equivalent to 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education, or master's degree from an accredited university or college in the field of dietetics or closely related field.

In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs : Ability to plan and organize work of considerable difficulty and responsibility, under general supervision, Knowledge of various food preparation and delivery systems within a healthcare environment, Knowledge of educational concepts, methods, training materials, and resources and the ability to develop and conduct education and training programs for NFS employees, Ability to participate in research studies and conduct performance improvement studies and document findings to evaluate staff, food, supplies, equipment, and service, in order to improve the efficiency of the operation, Knowledge of the principles and practices of clinical dietetics including NCP and MNT in order to plan, develop, and coordinate nutrition interventions, including enteral and parenteral nutrition, interdisciplinary care plans, and nutrition education activities that promote Veteran health, wellness and lifestyle management.

GS-11 Dietitian (Full Performance Level):

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, 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 in subparagraph 1 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, Part II, Appendix G20, Dietitian Qualification Standards GS-0630 and the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Group Coverage Qualification Standards for Professional and Scientific Positions https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0600/dietition-and-nutritionist-series-0630/ .

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 -07 to GS -11.

Physical Requirements: Most of the work is performed in an adequately lighted and climate controlled office setting, however there will be occasional exposure to hot liquids, sharp cutting blades, hot working surfaces in the kitchen environment and temperature changes when entering walk in refrigeration or freezing units. Most of the work is performed in an adequately lighted and climate controlled office setting, however there will be occasional exposure to hot liquids, sharp cutting blades, hot working surfaces in the kitchen environment and temperature changes when entering walk in refrigeration or freezing units.

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