Duties

Duties of the Clinical Dietitian include but are not limited to: Nutritional Care :

1. Conducts a comprehensive nutrition assessment for patients at nutrition risk.
2. Develops and implements an individualized plan for medical nutrition therapy in accordance with the patient's medical program goals and objectives.
3. Obtains and interprets medical information pertinent to the patient's nutrition care to determine risk, to assess nutrition status, and to develop individual specialized care plans to simultaneously address several disease processes.
4. Calculates macronutrient and micronutrient requirements and necessary diet restrictions or food/drug interactions.
5. Identifies patients in need of nutrition support and recommends the appropriate mode of nutrition support, including suitable route, formula, and rate of administration.
6. Recommends, coordinates, and/or orders labs, therapeutic diets, anthropometric measures, and/or consults consistent with Scope of Practice/clinical privileges.

Nutrition Education :
1. Assesses educational needs and provides nutrition counseling for individuals and groups.
2. Evaluates achievement of learning objectives by the patient and/or family.
3. Provides appropriate follow-up in accordance with patient's treatment goals.
4. Generates appropriate referrals for outpatient counseling, community, or home health services as appropriate.
5. Assists in the education of dietetic students and interns as needed/assigned.
6. Plans learning experiences, teaches, and evaluates performance
Business/Supervisory Functions :
1. Maintains productivity standards and practices, effective time management, and prioritization of tasks.
2. Maintains accurate record keeping of daily clinical activities, including information for scheduling, consult management, workload, and billing.
3. Manages resources (time, materials, staff) in a cost-effective manner.
4. Assists in developing and revising patient education materials, clinical forms, and protocols.
5. Assists in achieving compliance with VHACO standards, as well as regulatory agency standards to include state, federal, and TJC standards.
6. Instructs and supervises dietetic interns and other students in the area to meet program objectives in assigned special program responsibilities using performance objectives and on the job training.
Quality Improvement/Research :1. Supports performance improvement activities by participating in the development of nutrition care indicators, evaluation criteria, collecting continuous quality improvement data, monitoring outcomes, and initiating corrective action plans.
2. Participates in planning and developing nutrition-related policies, procedures, and goals
3. Analyzes and interprets nutrition related research related to patient care.
4. Monitors patient tray assembly and performs meal rounds as needed/assigned.
5. Conducts plate waste studies.6. Communicates findings to Clinical Nutrition Manager and/or designee.
Participation as a Member of the Health Care Team :
1. Serves as the nutrition expert on the interdisciplinary treatment team which includes physicians, nurses, and other allied health professionals.
2. Advises interdisciplinary health care team of nutrition recommendations, goals, and efficacy of nutrition therapy through participation in IDT meetings
3. Discusses pertinent findings and interprets nutrition information which will assist the team in developing comprehensive patient treatment plans

.Work Schedule: 715-1545 or 0800-1630 Monday - Friday with rotating weekends on call
Telework: NoVirtual: This is not a virtual position
Financial Disclosure 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 serve on a probationary period
• 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
• Subject to a background/security investigation

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:
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: 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). Advanced Level Practice Dietitians must possess a minimum of one advanced practice credential relevant to the area of practice, (e.g. Certified Nutrition Support Clinician (CNSC), Board Certified Specialist in Renal Nutrition (CSR), Board Certified Specialist in Gerontological Nutrition (CSG), Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE), or Board Certified Specialist in Oncology Nutrition (CSO).

Grade Determinations:

GS-7 Dietitian Entry Level
Experience/Education. None beyond the basic requirements.
In addition to the experience above, candidate must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (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/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/college in the field of dietetics or closely related field.

In addition to the experience above, 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/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, 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 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.

In addition to the KSAs identified in subparagraph 1 above, candidates for food service systems management positions must demonstrate the following KSAs:
Ability to direct food service and production with focus on customer acceptance and budgetary guidelines to include principles of menu planning, food purchasing, delivery schedules, and ability to estimate food quantities.

Ability to develop and maintain a system of internal reviews and direct quality control and performance improvement studies.

Knowledge of the principles of management required to establish program goals and objectives, to plan and administer a program, coordinate associated activities, evaluate program accomplishments, redefine priorities, solve problems, and modify objectives.

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.

References: VA Handbook 5005/80 Part II Appendix G20.

Physical Requirements: Must pass a pre-employment physical.

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.

As required by Executive Order 14043 , Federal employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 regardless of the employee's duty location or work arrangement (e.g., telework, remote work, etc.), subject to such exceptions as required by law. 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 exception from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

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 .