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Dietitian - Advanced Level Practice (Nutrition Support)

Employer
USAJobs
Location
Washington, D.C
Closing date
Jan 20, 2022
Duties

This position serves as the Advanced Level Practice Registered Dietitian in the Nutrition and Food Service at the Washington, DC VA Medical Center (DCVAMC), serving as a subject matter expert in nutrition support overseeing the medical nutrition therapy of the most complex and/or high-risk patients.

Major duties include but are not limited to:
  • Providing consultant services regarding nutrition support, nutritional products, polices, procedures, research and on complex Veteran care problems;
  • Conducting a comprehensive nutrition assessment using the Nutrition Care Process Model (NCPM) including nutrition focused physical exam (NFPE);
  • Using advanced diagnostic reasoning and clinical judgment when ranking nutrition diagnosis in order of their importance and urgency for the Veteran;
  • Determining the need to add, discontinue, or change dosing and timing of nutrition related medications to minimize drug/nutrient interactions;
  • Coordinating the education of medical staff, students, Veterans, and families on the medical nutrition therapy inpatient and outpatient plan;
  • Serving as an education resource, instructing physicians, nurses, dietitians, pharmacists, interns, and residents with DCVAMC on the current research and practice regarding nutrition support issues;
  • Assisting in the nutrition education of medical students, interns and residents via learning experiences and formal instruction;
  • Conducting education seminars, including in-services and symposiums for the medical center staff;
  • Maintaining accurate record keeping of daily clinical activities, including information for scheduling, coding, and billing;
  • Managing resources (time, materials, staff) in a cost-effective manner; and
  • Developing and revising nutrition support guidelines, forms, protocols, age-specific and disease specific Veteran education materials.
Work Schedule: Full-Time, Negotiable, rotating weekends
Compressed/Flexible:Not Available
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Title/Functional Statement #:Dietitian - Advanced Level Practice (Nutrition Support)/PD000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Contact Rudy Pearson @ Rudy.Pearson@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required

Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) Incentive is available for this position. Please see Education section of this announcement for more details.

If you are not a current, permanent VA/Federal employee, you should apply under the external announcement scheduled to open on December 30, 2021.

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
  • 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

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.
    • You 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:
      • 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. 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.
    • 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.
  • Registration/Certification. 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). Advanced Level Practice Dietitians must possess a minimum of the advanced practice credential relevant to the area of practice, (Certified Nutrition Support Clinician (CNSC)).
  • Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA as a dietitian on the effective date (September 5, 2014) 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.
  • 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. Advanced level practice dietitians must possess a minimum of the advanced practice credential relevant to the area of practice, (Certified Nutrition Support Clinician (CNSC)).
  • 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. An advanced level practice dietitian in nutrition support oversees the nutrition therapy of the most complex and/or high risk patients. The dietitian provides consultant services to VHA staff, conducts comprehensive nutrition assessment and diagnosis which may include the nutrition focused physical exam. The individual coordinates education programs for facility staff and serves as an education resource, instructing physicians, nurses, dietitians, pharmacists, interns, residents, and students on the current research and practice in the specialty area; maintains productivity standards, manages clinical resources, and conducts and/or participates in nutrition research studies and communicates findings through reports, abstracts, presentations, and publications.
  • Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. 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.

Preferred Experience: 1-2 years of recent experience as a CNSC.

References: VA Handbook 5005/80 Part II Appendix G20 dated September 5, 2014

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

Physical Requirements: The regular and recurring work of the position involves sitting at a desk, conferences, meetings, etc., and staff interaction in patient care areas. Work involves frequent periods of walking, bending, stooping and visual acuity and occasional lifting and carrying of light items.

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 .

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan reimbursement program. To participate in the program, you must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA Policy 1021 and submit your application within four months of appointment. The final award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) is determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services office. The EDRP Coordinator, Rudy Pearson, can be reached at Rudy.Pearson@va.gov and (202) 745-8000 x56899.

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.

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 .

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