Dietitian (Clinical)

Full Job Description

Employees in this assignment serve in a Dietitian (Clinical) within the Clinical Section of NFS serving as the medical nutrition expert.

Clinical Dietitians coordinate nutritional care of Veterans with other health care providers, the Veteran, the Veteran's caregiver, and the community.

They interpret research and utilize whole health principles to develop patient-centered goals and improve outcomes.

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

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.

Registration: All applicants must hold the RDN credential from the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) the credentialing agency of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Note: Applicants who hold the RDN credential have met the education requirement (e.g.

bachelor's degree or higher) of CDR, as such this occupation is considered professional and scientific with a positive education requirement and the procedures in Part I, Chapter 4 of this Handbook will be followed when applying Veteran's preference.

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.

English Language Proficiency: Dietitian candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

GS-11 Dietitian (Clinical) Grade Determinations: 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: (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.

Preferred Experience: At least 1 year of experience as a registered dietitian preferred.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11.

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-11.

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. Major Duties:

Duties include but are not limited to the following: 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: Monday-Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm Telework: Ad-hoc telework available at supervisory discretion. Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 99529-S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized