Dietitian (Clinical)

Full Job Description

The incumbent is assigned as a full performance Dietitian (Clinical),within the Clinical Section of Nutrition and Food Service Line, serving as the medical nutrition expert at VAMC located in West Haven Connecticut.

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.

English Language Proficiency: Dietitians must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d).

Registration: 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).

Education: The individual must have earned a bachelor's degree from a U.S.

regionally accredited college or university or foreign equivalent and fulfilled each of the following criteria: (a) Completed a didactic program in dietetics accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), formerly known as the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetic Education (CADE).

(b) Completed an ACEND accredited or approved supervised practice program.

Supervised practice programs are post-baccalaureate degree programs that provide supervised practice experiences which meet the eligibility requirements and accreditation standards of ACEND, formally known as CADE.

Completion of a coordinated program in dietetics fulfills the requirements of a supervised practice program.

Time spent in a dietetic internship or supervised practice program does not qualify as creditable experience.

Individuals who have earned college and/or university degrees outside the United States and its territories also must have their transcripts evaluated by a foreign transcript evaluation service to determine if their degree is equivalent to a degree granted by a regionally accredited college or university in the United States.

Validation of a foreign degree does not eliminate the need for verification of completion of didactic program, dietetic internship, or coordinated program requirements.

The completion of ACEND didactic program requirements and at least a bachelor's degree from a U.S.

regionally accredited college/university or foreign equivalent are necessary for eligibility to enter an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program.

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).

Grade Determination: GS-11 Dietitian (Full Performance Level )Experience or Education: Must have one year of experience as a Registered Dietitian (RDN) equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-09.In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSA's: Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 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 Preferred Experience: Previous Outpatient Experience Preferred.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.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.

Major Duties:

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- 8 centered goals and improve outcomes Major 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: Full-time,40 Hours a week, Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm, EST.

Telework: Available, Per Supervisory Discretion. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #:FS99529-S. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.

Notifications: EDRP is not authorized. This position is not in an Bargaining Union. This position is covered by locality-based comparability pay.

Narrative responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment.

Veterans' Preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action).

The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted).

In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held.