Dietitian (Clinical)

Summary

Dietitian (Clinical) Employees in this assignment serve in a Dietitian (Clinical) position within the Clinical Section of NFS serving as the medical nutrition expert. They are autonomous in their work in applying evidenced-based nutrition practice guidelines for all patients - including those with complex medical and nutritional needs. Clinical Dietitians coordinate nutritional care of Veterans with other health care providers - the Veteran - the Veteran's caregiver - and the community.

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)
• English Language Proficiency: Dietitian candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C.
• 7403(f)
• Grade Determinations: GS-7 Dietitian (Clinical) Experience or Education: None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-9 Dietitian (Clinical) Experience: At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level - GS-7. OR Education: Master's degree from a regionally accredited university or college (transcripts required)
• AND Knowledge - Skills and Abilities: In addition to the experience or education above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of various accrediting and regulatory requirements
• (b) Knowledge of virtual technology to provide nutrition care
• (c) Ability to deliver patient care using the NCP (e.g. - assessment - diagnosis - intervention - monitoring and evaluation)
• (d) Ability to apply evidence-based nutrition practices to improve patient outcomes
• (e) Ability to develop patient-centered goals
• (f) Ability to collect data for performance improvement studies
• (g) Ability to collaborate with stakeholders
• GS-11 Dietitian (Clinical) Experience: At least one year of experience as an RDN equivalent to the next lower grade - GS-9. AND Knowledge - Skills and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Skill in delivering patient care using the NCP (e.g. - assessment - diagnosis - intervention - monitoring and evaluation)
• (b) Skill in interpreting research to apply evidence-based nutrition practices to improve patient outcomes
• (c) Skill in developing patient-centered goals
• (d) Skill in analyzing data for performance improvement studies
• (e) Skill in collaborating with stakeholders
• (f) 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/
• Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position
• Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination
• Driving physical required.
  
  

Duties

• The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers
• This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest
• As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care - you will operate in a model with three core elements - seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran
• This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community
• This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being
• Duties include - but are 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
• - Maintains productivity standards
• - Maintains accurate record keeping of daily clinical activities and completes patient encounters using approved systems
• - 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
• - Collaborates with the Food Operations Section and department leadership to enhance the Veterans' dining experience - support patient satisfaction - and serve as a liaison between clinical units and the Food Operations Section
• - May perform other related duties as assigned which are appropriate for this grade and assignment
• Work Schedule: Intermittent
• 7:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. - as needed
• An intermittent work schedule is employment without a regularly scheduled tour of duty
• Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: PD99500S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized