Dietitian

Employees in this assignment serve in a Dietitian (Clinical) position within the Clinical Section of Nutrition and Food Service. They perform increasingly complex tasks as they acquire skills in clinical nutrition to apply evidenced-based nutrition practice guidelines. Clinical Dietitians continue to learn to interpret research, apply whole health principles, and develop patient-centered goals.

EDUCATION: ACEND accredited programs are located on the ACEND website or at ACEND Accredited Programs Directory . RESPONSIBILITIES: Major duties include but are not limited to: -

Conducts nutrition assessments for patients with lower acuity 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.

Documents MNT in the medical record using the Assessment, Diagnosis, Intervention, Monitoring, Evaluation (ADIME) format.

Calculates nutrition requirements and necessary diet restrictions or food and drug interactions, tailoring the diet prescription to each individual patient.

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.

Work Schedule : Monday through Friday 8 am-4:30 pm, rotating weekends and holidays

Telework : May be authorized for ad-hoc only.

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement # : PD99631F, PD99630F, and PD99629F

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives : No

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible. EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact visn5hredrpcoordinators@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): No 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.

Grade Determinations : All individuals assigned to this occupation must meet all the basic qualification requirements and all the requirements defined in the specific assignment.

Dietitian (Clinical), GS-07 Requirements- None beyond the basic requirements.

Dietitian (Clinical), GS-07 Assignment. Employees in this assignment serve in a Dietitian (Clinical) entry-level developmental position. They work under the guidance of a Dietitian who is at the full performance level or above, performing increasingly complex tasks designed to prepare them for promotion. Clinical Dietitians conduct nutrition assessments for patients with lower acuity using the NCP while developing skills to apply evidence-based nutrition practice guidelines. Clinical Dietitians learn to interpret research, apply whole health principles and develop patient-centered goals. They develop skills in accurate record keeping of clinical activities and complete patient encounters using approved systems.

Dietitian (Clinical), GS-09 Requirements:

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.

Dietitian (Clinical), GS-09 KSA Requirements: 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 Assignment. Employees in this assignment serve in a Dietitian (Clinical) developmental position. They perform increasingly complex tasks under general supervision. Clinical Dietitians conduct nutrition assessments using the NCP. They develop skills in applying evidence-based nutrition practice guidelines, interpreting research and utilizing whole health principles to develop patient-centered goals and improve outcomes. Clinical Dietitians also utilize virtual care technology to improve access to care. They maintain accurate record keeping of daily clinical activities and patient encounters using approved systems. Clinical Dietitians comply with TJC and other accrediting agency standards to ensure safe and quality patient care. They collect data related to performance improvement activities within Nutrition and Food Services (NFS) and assist in implementing new initiatives.

Dietitian (Clinical), GS-11 Requirements:

Dietitian (Clinical), GS-11 Experience. At least one year of experience as an RDN equivalent to the next lower grade.

Dietitian (Clinical), GS-11 KSA Requirement: demonstrates the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

- Skill in delivering patient care using the Nutrition Care Process (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.

Dietitian (Clinical), GS-11 Assignment. Employees in this assignment serve in a Dietitian (Clinical) full performance level position. Clinical Dietitians conduct comprehensive nutrition assessments for Veterans using the NCP (e.g., assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring and evaluation), assuring high-quality nutrition care. They apply evidence-based nutrition practice guidelines, interpret research and utilize whole health principles to develop patient-centered goals and improve outcomes. Clinical Dietitians also utilize virtual care technology to improve access to care. They are accountable for independent and accurate record keeping, autonomous coverage of daily clinical activities and efficiently completing patient encounters using approved systems. Clinical Dietitians are knowledgeable of and ensure work accomplishments comply with TJC and other accrediting agency standards and ensure continuous improvement of safe and quality care.

Preferred Experience:

Prior experience providing medical nutrition therapy in acute care hospital or critical care (e.g., medical-surgical, ICU, CICU, SICU) settings

Demonstrated proficiency in conducting complex nutrition assessments for hospitalized, acutely ill, or critically ill patients

Familiarity with evidence-based nutrition practices for patients with advanced medical conditions (e.g., heart failure, sepsis, post-surgical, diabetes, renal disease)

Experience using electronic health record systems for clinical documentation and interdisciplinary communication

Participation in interdisciplinary rounds or treatment planning teams in an inpatient setting Experience with malnutrition screening, assessment, and intervention

Provision of nutrition education to patients, families, and healthcare staff Involvement in quality improvement or performance improvement initiatives relevant to clinical nutrition

Previous work or training in a VA or similar healthcare system is desirable but not required

Precepting dietetic interns or students is a plus

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, 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. SALARY: QuantitativeValue EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Other

Salary : $200,000