Dietitian (Clinical)

Summary

The Clinical Dietitian is responsible for independently planning - developing and directing all nutritional care activities for assigned veterans - including those with complex medical and nutritional needs. The clinical dietitian supports the facility's mission and coordinates nutritional care with other health care providers - the veteran - the veteran's caregiver and the community. Salary GS 07: $56 -409 - $73 -333 GS 09: $68 -999 - $89 -703 GS 11: $83 -482 - $108 -533

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
• Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) or Registered Dietitian (RD) - 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 for GS-07 and GS-09 Only: Dietitians who do not possess the RDN/RD credential
• Non-credentialed Dietitians who otherwise meet the basic qualification requirements and have fulfilled the requirements below - but do not possess the RDN credential - may be given a full-time temporary appointment not to exceed one year under the authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405(c)(2)
• May only be appointed at the GS-07 or GS-09 level and may not be promoted/converted until they obtain their RDN credential
• Non-credentialed Dietitians must have fulfilled each of the following: Earned a bachelor's or higher degree from a U.S. regionally accredited college or university or foreign equivalent
• Foreign Education: To be creditable - college and/or university degrees earned outside the U.S and its territories must be evaluated by ACEND and meet ACEND's International Dietitian Education standards which are designed to provide graduates with the knowledge and competencies to sit for the CDR credentialing exam
• ~AND~ Completed an ACEND accredited experiential or supervised practice program and provide a verification statement from the program director that conveys eligibility to take the CDR registration exam as a prospective RDN
• A list of ACEND accredited programs are located on the ACEND website or at ACEND Accredited Programs Directory
• Current VHA Dietitians that qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision may not be promoted to a higher grade if they do not meet the current RDN/RD requirements
• IN ADDITION TO MEETING THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS LISTED ABOVE - YOU MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING GRADE REQUIREMENTS TO QUALIFY FOR THIS POSITION
• Grade Determinations Dietitian (Clinical) GS-07 Experience or Education: None beyond the basic requirements
• Dietitian (Clinical) GS-09 Experience: At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level
• OR Education: Master's degree from a regionally accredited university or college
• Knowledge - Skills and Abilities: In addition to the experience or education above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of various accrediting and regulatory requirements
• Knowledge of virtual technology to provide nutrition care
• Ability to deliver patient care using the NCP (e.g. - assessment - diagnosis - intervention - monitoring and evaluation)
• Ability to apply evidence-based nutrition practices to improve patient outcomes
• Ability to develop patient-centered goals
• Ability to collect data for performance improvement studies
• Ability to collaborate with stakeholders
• Dietitian (Clinical) GS-09 Experience: At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level
• OR Education: Master's degree from a regionally accredited university or college
• Knowledge - Skills and Abilities: In addition to the experience or education above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of various accrediting and regulatory requirements
• Knowledge of virtual technology to provide nutrition care
• Ability to deliver patient care using the NCP (e.g. - assessment - diagnosis - intervention - monitoring and evaluation)
• Ability to apply evidence-based nutrition practices to improve patient outcomes
• Ability to develop patient-centered goals
• Ability to collect data for performance improvement studies
• Ability to collaborate with stakeholders
• Dietitian (Clinical) GS-11 Experience: At least one year of experience as an RDN equivalent to the next lower grade
• Knowledge - Skills and Abilities: In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Skill in delivering patient care using the NCP (e.g. - assessment - diagnosis - intervention - monitoring and evaluation)
• Skill in interpreting research to apply evidence-based nutrition practices to improve patient outcomes
• Skill in developing patient-centered goals
• Skill in analyzing data for performance improvement studies
• Skill in collaborating with stakeholders
• Ability to comply with various accrediting - regulatory and agency authorities
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
  
  

Duties

• Conducts a comprehensive nutrition assessment utilizing the Nutrition Care Process (NCP) for assigned patients
• Develops and implements an individualized plan for Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) in accordance with the patient's medical program goals and objectives
• Performs a Nutrition Focused Physical Exam (NFPE) during assessments to determine risk and/or degree of malnutrition
• Assesses educational needs and provides nutrition education/counseling for individuals and groups - incorporating a learning approach that considers the cultural - religious - educational and medical situation of the patient
• Includes information regarding budgeting - menu planning - food purchasing and preparation - food storage and sanitation
• Utilizes motivational interviewing techniques to evaluate patient and/or caregiver's readiness to learn and potential for changing behaviors
• Evaluates achievement of learning objectives by the patient and/or family
• Adapts nutrition education materials and counseling techniques to the patient's level of understanding - which frequently involves simplifying complex dietary restrictions
• Maintains productivity standards
• Practices effective time management - and prioritizing of tasks to ensure efficient workflow in assigned area
• Ensures completion of consult management tasks by reviewing assigned nutrition consults
• Ensures appropriate scheduling and timely completion of all assigned consults
• Maintains accurate record keeping of daily clinical activities and completes patient encounters utilizing the Event Capture System (ECS)
• Supports Performance Improvement activities by participating in the development of nutritional care indicators - evaluation criteria - collecting performance improvement data - monitoring outcomes - and initiating corrective actions
• Contributes to a culture of safety by entering patient safety concerns in the Joint Patient Safety Reporting System (JPRS)
• Participates in planning and developing nutrition-related policies - procedures - and goals
• Assists in the review and revision of the Diet Manual - and menu analysis - as applicable
• Serves as a member of the VAMC inspection team for the state Veteran's homes - homeless shelters - and community nursing homes
• Serves as a liaison with foodservice staff to assure conformance to diet prescriptions
• May participate in community outreach activities
• Maintains dietetic registration and continuing education requirements
• Interprets current clinical knowledge - standards of care - and research to improve patient care
• 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
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 02680F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized