Dietitian (Clinical)

Summary

A full-performance Clinical Dietitian serves as the medical nutrition expert - working independently to apply evidence-based guidelines for patients with complex needs. They coordinate care with providers - Veterans - caregivers - and the community - use research and whole-health principles to improve outcomes - and collaborate with Food Operations to enhance the dining experience.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement 10/28/2026

Basic Requirements

• 1
• United States Citizenship
• Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.)
• Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C.
• 7407(a)
• 2
• Registration
• All applicants must hold the Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN) credential from the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) the credentialing agency of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
• Exceptions: Non-credentialed Dietitians who meet the basic qualification requirements and have fulfilled the requirements below - but do not possess the RDN credential - may be given a temporary full-time appointment not to exceed one year under the authority of 38 U.S.C.
• 7405(c)(2) and must have fulfilled each of the following: Earned a bachelor's or higher degree from a U.S. regionally accredited college - university or foreign equivalent
• 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 is located on the ACEND® website or at ACEND Accredited Programs Directory 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
• Non-credentialed Dietitians may only be appointed at the GS-07 or GS-09 grade level and may not be promoted/converted until they obtain their RDN credential
• 3.English Language Proficiency
• Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C.
• 7403(f)
• 4
• Grandfathering Provision
• Employees in VHA in this occupation - under a permanent - appropriate and legal placement effective October 14 - 2022 - are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade and/or assignment held - including positive education and registration/certification - where applicable
• GRADE DETERMINATION GS-7 Experience
• None beyond the basic requirements
• GRADE DETERMINATION GS-9 1
• 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 - that is related to nutrition
• 2
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSA)
• 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
• GRADE DETERMINATION GS-11 1
• Experience
• At least one year of experience as an RDN equivalent to the next lower grade
• 2
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSA)
• In addition to the experience or education 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: VA Handbook 5005/154 - Part II Appendix G20 - Dietitian - Qualification Standard dated October 14 - 2022
• please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: : The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment
• A pre-placement physical examination is not required
• 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-7 to GS-11.
  
  

Duties

• This position involves a multi-grade career ladder
• The major duties listed below represent the full performance level of GS-11
• At the lower grade levels - you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence
• You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-11
• Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance - availability of higher-level work - and availability of funds
• The duties of the Dietitian (Clinical) includes but is not limited to: Conducts comprehensive nutrition assessments using the Nutritional Care Process (NCP) - including nutrition focused physical examinations - to establish a nutrition diagnosis and determine risk and/or degree of malnutrition
• Develops and implements Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) to address the nutrition diagnosis - evaluates and monitors the effectiveness and outcomes of MNT interventions
• Modifies the plan as needed to achieve positive patient outcomes
• Calculates nutrient requirements and necessary diet restrictions or food and drug interactions tailoring the diet prescription to each individual patient
• Documents MNT in the medical record using the Assessment - Diagnosis - Intervention - Monitoring - Evaluation (ADIME) format
• Functions independently and accurately when record keeping
• Identifies patients in need of nutritional support and recommends the appropriate mode of support and communicates appropriately with the health care team
• Actively participates in formal and informal interdisciplinary team meetings
• Assesses educational needs and provides nutrition education/counseling for individuals and groups that is tailored to the Veteran(s)
• Utilizes virtual care technology to improve access to care
• Ensures continuous improvement of safe and quality care of Veterans
• Leads activities in the implementation of new initiatives
• Uses data in the development of measures - data evaluation - and initiation of corrective actions
• Complies with The Joint Commission requirements and other accrediting agency standards to ensure safe and quality patient care
• May perform other related duties
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: PD99529S - PD99530S - and PD99531S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory - qualification - and performance requirements are met
• Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.