Dietitian (Clinical)

Full Job Description

This position is open to current permanent employees of Department of Veterans Affairs and The Public.

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: Dietitian (Clinical), GS-07: (1) Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements.(2) 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: (1) Experience.

At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.OR(2) Education. Master's degree from a regionally accredited university or college.(3) 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.(4) 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.

Dietitian (Clinical), GS-11: (1) Experience. At least one year of experience as an RDN equivalent to the next lower grade.(2) 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(3) 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.

They collect and analyze data related to performance improvement activities within NFS, lead activities in the implementation of new initiatives and collaborate with stakeholders.

Clinical Dietitians frequently collaborate with the food service section and leadership staff to enhance the Veteran's dining experience, support patient satisfaction and serve as a liaison between clinical units and the Food Service Section.

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

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements. Major Duties:

Duties for this position include but are not limited to: GS-7 Level: This is an entry level position serving in a developmental capacity The Clinical Dietitian is acquiring skills in Nutrition and Food Services (NFS) in planning, developing and directing basic nutrition care activities for assigned veterans, gaining experience and skills in using evidence-based approaches to counsel veterans and to provide nutrition care to optimize health.

The clinical dietitian supports the facility's mission and coordinates nutritional care with other health care providers, the veteran, the veteran's caregiver and the community.

The increasing complexity and specialization in nutrition requires that the clinical dietitian have expertise in a wide range of disease entities and treatment modalities.

The clinical dietitian performs progressively complex tasks while developing their skills in diagnosing nutrition problems and the nutrition ramifications of disease entities and medical treatment modalities.

GS-9 Level: This is a developmental level position but will have increased developmental level duties as they become more experienced in the field The Clinical Dietitian is acquiring skills in Nutrition and Food Services (NFS) in planning, developing and directing basic nutrition care activities for assigned veterans, developing their experience and skills in using evidence based approaches to counsel veterans and to provide nutrition care to optimize health.

The clinical dietitian supports the facility's mission and coordinates nutritional care with other health care providers, the veteran, the veteran's caregiver and the community.

The increasing complexity and specialization in nutrition requires that the clinical dietitian have expertise in a wide range of disease entities and treatment modalities The clinical dietitian performs progressively complex tasks while developing their skills in diagnosing nutrition problems and the nutrition ramifications of disease entities and medical treatment modalities.

GS-11 Level: At this level the Dietitian operates at the full performance level for this job series and can operate the duties of the job with little to no supervision The Clinical Dietitian is the medical nutrition expert.

At this grade level, the clinical dietitian is responsible for independently planning, developing and directing all nutritional care activities for assigned veterans, including those with complex medical and nutritional needs.

The clinical dietitian supports the facility's mission and coordinates nutritional care with other health care providers, the veteran, the veteran's caregiver and the community.

The increasing complexity and specialization in nutrition requires that the clinical dietitian have expertise in a wide range of disease entities and treatment modalities.

The clinical dietitian's expertise is specific to diagnosing nutrition problems and the nutrition ramifications of disease entities and medical treatment modalities.

Employment Type: Part Time (20 Hours) Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 08:00am- 04:30pm with occasional weekend/holiday coverage Telework: Ad Hock Telework may be authorized at service line discretion Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required